Film Screening & Q&A
Film Screening of
“Ojalá Supieras”
I Wish You Knew
A documentary that recovers the Islamic roots of Hispanic and Hispanic American culture
About the Film
A Hidden Faith Whispers Across Centuries
In the shadows of colonial archives, a forgotten faith whispers across centuries. Ojalá Supieras (“I Wish You Knew”) unearths the silenced history of Islam in colonial Mexico — a story of forbidden belief, suppressed identity, and survival through secrecy.
This visually immersive documentary blends dramatizations of Inquisition trials, archival documents brought to life, and expert reflections that connect past and present. Figures like Pedro Lorenzo and María Ruiz — accused of practicing Islam in secret — reveal how religion, identity, and resistance intertwined under empire.
Through reenactments of silenced voices in the archives, the film reframes Mexico as a crossroads where Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Indigenous peoples all shaped the nation’s foundation. This is not only a film — it is an act of reclamation.
Evening Program
What to Expect
Film Screening
Watch the full documentary Ojalá Supieras in an intimate community setting.
Talk by Mariam Saada, PhD
Hear from the filmmaker about her research and what drove her to tell this story.
Live Q&A
Join an open conversation with Dr. Saada and fellow attendees after the screening.
About the Filmmaker
Mariam Saada, PhD
Ojalá Supieras is a film by Mariam Saada, PhD — scholar, filmmaker, and researcher dedicated to recovering the Islamic heritage embedded in Hispanic and Latin American culture. Her work bridges academic research and public storytelling, bringing underrepresented histories to broad audiences.
Learn more at ojalasupieras.org →