Watching: I‘Tikaaf

Overview

I’tikaaf (Arabic: اعتكاف) – “a practice of isolating oneself for a certain number of days, in order to reflect and stay away from worldly affairs” For six months Ahmad and Bilal have been living with Pastor Klaus Wening, unable to leave the house. The film accompanies their time in church asylum, waiting for news about their asylum process in Germany. I’tikaaf tells a story of exile and community, by documenting one station on the long journey of refugees, leaving their home.