Against a backdrop of widespread DEI rollbacks across the federal government, the documentary film, “THREE CHAPLAINS,” profiles Muslim leaders who’ve spent their careers promoting pluralism and confronting religious bigotry in one of America’s most powerful institutions—the military.
From filmmaker David Washburn (“An American Mosque”), “Three Chaplains” follows three current Muslim military chaplains. The film uncovers the trials and triumphs of their experiences and dedication to upholding First Amendment rights, while striving for equality and religious freedom.
An Independent Lens documentary, “Three Chaplains” will broadcast on PBS stations nationwide during primetime on April 26, 2025 (check local listings) as part of PBS’s Saturday Playlist programming. The full film will also be available to stream on the PBS App. The film’s trailer is out on YouTube. (“Three Chaplains” premiered on PBS in 2023.)
Air Force Major Rafael Lantigua, Army Colonel Khallid Shabazz, and Air Force Captain Saleha Jabeen have spent years rising through the ranks, serving as symbols for progressive change within the U.S. Department of Defense, while challenging long-held notions of what it means to serve one’s country.
With more than 20 years of service under his belt, Chaplain Lantigua is a vital resource and confidant for young service members, as fellow military members can turn to him to learn about Islam, discover faith, and build resilience. For Colonel Shabazz, a Louisiana native who recently became the U.S. military’s highest-ranking Muslim clergyman, faith and service go hand-in-hand. Shabazz leans on past challenges, including molestation and gun violence, and ongoing pressures to inspire action in underrepresented service members. Newcomer Jabeen, an immigrant from India, has her sights set on becoming the first female Muslim chaplain, despite skepticism from her loved ones and support system.
“I made this film to explore religious diversity in today’s military and, in particular, how Muslim service members practice their faith despite widespread misunderstanding and, at times, hatred of Islam in the United States,” Washburn said. “With this in mind, I was fascinated with how these leaders perform their work as chaplains, support service members of all backgrounds, and take care of their own mental and emotional needs. The space they occupy in the military is fertile ground for stories that shed new light on issues of religious freedom, equality and gender norms in an institution that has been central to so much societal change in America.”
“Public media offers the perfect venue for ‘Three Chaplains’ because it provides a conversation-starting window into the everyday realities that thousands of Muslims serving in our U.S. military face,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer of INDEPENDENT LENS.
“Three Chaplains” is co-funded by the ITVS Open Call funding initiative. Visit pbs.org/threechaplains to learn more about the film.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
David Washburn, Director/Producer
David Washburn has partnered with Muslim storytellers for over a decade. His documentary, “An American Mosque,” aired on public television nationwide and was acquired by Al Jazeera. He developed “Three Chaplains” from his short film series featuring Muslim veterans that ran online in The Washington Post, San Diego Union Tribune, and NBC News.
Razi Jafri, Producer
Razi Jafri makes films about America’s changing cultural landscape. His previous film, “Hamtramck, USA” (SXSW 2020) chronicles democracy in America’s first Muslim-majority city. He is an alumnus of the Sundance Producers Fellowship. His projects have been funded by the Ford Foundation, Doris Duke Foundation, Knight Foundation, and CAAM.
ABOUT INDEPENDENT LENS
INDEPENDENT LENS is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS App. For more visit pbs.org/independentlens.
ABOUT ITVS
Independent Television Services (ITVS) is the largest co-producer of independent documentaries in the United States. ITVS incubates and co-produces these award-winning titles and premieres them on our Emmy Award-winning PBS series, INDEPENDENT LENS. ITVS titles appear on PBS, WORLD, NETA, and can be streamed on various digital platforms including the PBS App. ITVS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Wyncote Foundation. For more information, visit itvs.org.
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