The Muslims are coming — to the Gene Siskel Film Center

Negin Farsad and Dean Obeidallah

A bunch of Muslims walk into a room, armed to do battle. With jokes!

That’s the premise of a film called “The Muslims Are Coming!” by Negin Farsad and Dean Obeidallah. Opening Thursday, September 12 at the Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State) and currently running through the 19th, it focuses on a band of Muslim-American comics — they call themselves “Muzzies” — who hop from big cities to small towns in an effort to humorously counteract the brand of bigotry known as Islamophobia.

Besides performance footage, the film also features commentary from “The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart and Aasif Mandvi, MSNBC pundit Rachel Maddow, comedienne/actress Janeane Garofalo, CNN host Soledad O’Brien, comic/actor David Cross and stand-up Lewis Black.

Ain’t It Cool News Chicago editor Steve Prokopy (aka “Capone”) will moderate a discussion between Farsad and Obeidallah after the 8 p.m. opening night screening.

For tickets and more information on showtimes, visit www.siskelfilmcenter.org.