Wednesday, April 6 2005 15:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jerusalem: In a bid to inspire people to follow Gandhian principles of peace and non-violence in the region, Richard Attenborough's film 'Gandhi' will be screened in several West Bank cities from today (Apr 6, 2005).

Hollywood stars- Ben Kingsley, who played the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the film, and Richard Gere are in the region under the banner of 'Gandhi project' to promote the concept of 'ahimsa' (non-violence), an organiser said.

The two actors will also hold talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders during the week.

The film will be screened in Ramallah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and several Palestinian refugee camps.

"The Gandhi Project aspires to encourage peace and tolerance in the region through the promotion of Gandhian principles and philosophy," the organisers said.

The film has been dubbed into Arabic by Palestinian filmmaker Hanna Elias and a group of Palestinian voice actors and artists to put across the message, they said.

Sponsored by Relief International-Schools Online in partnership with Palestinian non-governmental and community-based organisations, the Gandhi Project will also bring out a series of educational material to supplement the film with resources and training materials.

The latest initiative comes a few months after Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Arun Gandhi visited the region, making a fervent plea to the Palestinians to launch a non-violent movement against the Israel.