Political Pluralism: Pro-democracy film screened

ISLAMABAD: The German embassy played host to the screening of a documentary highlighting the power of the people and peaceful protest. Freedom Bus (2013), a German film, tells the story of Ashraf El Sharkawy, 39, who leaves behind an established life as a successful manager in Germany to start a campaign in Egypt helping to spread the idea of democracy.  Beginning in March 2011, mere months after former president Hosni Mubarak was deposed, the movie shows the activists’ struggle in planning their campaign, find funding and volunteers, and finally spreading their message of political pluralism. Activists prepare a bus with pro democracy messages and use it to move around the country, city by city, stopping to explain to the common man their political rights, while also having to explain basics concepts like the parliament and a vote.

The screening was part of the celebrations at the 70th anniversary of the UN.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2015