The documentary film, “Koran by Heart” follows the progress of three scholars, a girl and two boys, all 10 years old, as they compete in Cairo against students who, in some instances, are nearly twice their age in the annual International Holy Koran Competition. Directed by Greg Barker (HBO) the film captures touching moments of the three children at home with their families, where they open up about life and religion, academic dreams and career aspirations.

There is an entire generation of American Muslim children who do not know a world before September 11th. They have not experienced a country largely unaware of or neutral about Islam. Instead, their faith is scrutinized and patriotism questioned, even before they can grasp these very adult concepts.

As hate crimes against Muslims have increased in the United States, some communities - like that of affluent Dearborn, Michigan - have faced this "Islamaphobia" head-on, attempting to demystify their religion by emphasizing all that they have in common with a largely white, Christian America - even going so far as appearing in reality TV shows designed to soften their image among the general population.