These are the words of Mehmet Tarhan, a dear man, in reaction to the film. Mehmet is what they call a conscientious objector in Turkey. He took on the might of the Turkish army and its policy of disallowing gay men from compulsory army service if they can prove they are gay.
Mehmet does not like Jihad, because he feels it could take a more activist and anti-Islam/anti-Turkey stand.
Mehmet and I have spent some time together in Turkey. I had also interviewed Mehmet for the film in 2005 when he was still in a Siwas prison.
The second screening of Jihad yesterday in Beyoglu was an even greater achievement. Scheduled for a non-prime time screening of 11 am by the IKSV festival, it drew an overflowing audience (close to 500 people) who stayed back for a powerful and intellectually stimulating Q and A.
The reactions to my kaffiyeh (the Palestinian scarf) continue and are varied. More updates to follow.
started this blog, 2007. today i am a guggenheim fellow, a much lauded filmmaker and author; creator of 3 world firsts: a jihad for love; a sinner in mecca (films) + 112,000 page book. visit parvezsharma.com but this blog is historically important; a partial on the road record; the world's first ever film on islam and homosexuality; fact = "islam trilogy" = 8 million plus eyeballs; yes, death, defying work, but re-taught me gratitude+ humility; karma backbones = dh; sd; at; hva; pa
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Ashok Row Kavi posted the following comments on the SAJA (South Asian Journalists Association) public listserve. I have edited the personal ...
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The photographer is Peter Kom
3 comments:
Allahın Laneti sizin ve lut kavmi gibilerinin üzerine olsun.
Long ago a friend from Holland said to me: "Holland is not heaven". He was right. It seems like, heaven is a relative aspect on this. On the other hand, even the comment above, proves Mehmet's words.
We are not searching for heaven, we want to free the world from hatred and fear.
first, "anonymous" posted first comment, is stupid homofobic gay! :)
second, Mehmet Tarhan case is a bit more complicated. he stands in the nonislamic-left wing politically. after SSCB, left wing crashed, gay communities related to left wing in Turkey. i support him, because i know strict state for gays in army. taxim beyoglu is much more related to elite and phillosophy of tarhan, that's why reactions are varied.
after understanding true islamic freedom, we will see much more beautiful examples of gay life...
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