Members of the Harvard Islamic community challenged controversial journalist Steven Emerson yesterday after a showing of his documentary on the militant Islamic presence in the U.S. last night.

More than 70 people filled the Law School's Langdell Hall for the second annual Alisa Flatow Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Jewish Law Students' Association (JLSA) to commemorate the Brandeis junior who died four years ago in a terrorist attack while visiting the Gaza Strip.

Emerson, a freelance journalist and former Wall Street Journal reporter, has received critical acclaim for his 1996 film "Jihad! In America."

"Eighty percent of American citizens attacked by terrorists have been at the hands of Islamic militants," Emerson said. "We have to recognize this reality."

Emerson's selection, however, angered students and faculty who believe his work supports and perpetuates stereotypes about Arabs and the religion of Islam.

In the past, Emerson has been accused of journalistic bias. During the question and answer session, he was questioned about his characterization of the Oklahoma City bombing.

"[The bombing] was done with the intent to inflict as many casualties as possible. That's a Middle Eastern trait," he told CBS News in April of 1995.

The film showing was followed by a fiery question-and-answer session.