Friends this is an amazing time-we have our big opening night in just a few hours-Tonight is already sold out but just remember there are six shows every day at the IFC Center on 6th Avenue.
I have received thousands of emails from across the world from people praying for the success of the film on American soil.
All of the reviews are pouring in.
There was a great interview yesterday on Democracy Now! which is now also up on YouTube.
The New York Times, New York Magazine, Indiewire, The New York Sun, The Village Voice and many others have published today. More details to follow.
Mazen, Imam Muhsin and Faisal Alam, the founder of Al-Ftiha are joining all of us in the theater.
This is just a sample email I just received.
Assalamo Alaikum Parvez,
Hope all is well with you Insha-Allah. Just found out about your work and your doc (Jihad for Love). I have not seen your movie yet but I applaud you for taking such a brave (and most probably life-threatening) step.
May Allah SWT protect you and your work!
Khuda Hafiz,
And here is another message from a Muslim man:
im sorry but im going to cut to the chase :Doesn't the qur'an say that gay sex is a sin ?i mean i have been raised all of my life believing this...it's just too hard for me to find peace in my self to either say it is or nothow did u do this ...and i would like a copy of the dvd if there is one sorry dude .....it's just to hard for me right now ...hope to hear from you soon
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
2 comments:
hi i just watched the democracy now! interview and would just like to say that i support you in your efforts. i used to be "hard-right" in terms of american political orientation until i reached a point where i couldn't deal with the contradictions and tensions any longer. thus i had to deal w/ the truth of american foreign policy (imperialism, not benevolent intervention) and also w/ homosexuality (i went from wanting them put in concentrations camps to pretty much indifference). i realized that gays are pretty much just like me through reflection and also through personal experience and now really couldn't give a rat's ass about gays except for concern that they be given equal constitutional protections, as with all other americans. fight on, the tide is turning as american and worldwide opinion gradually changes for the better and we all become more civilized and open-minded.
Hi Parvez,
I just saw the documentary in New York City. I really have no words to express how much I admire its remarkable courage and vision. As a gay Muslim, I've had a mighty struggle adjusting to my homosexuality. I'm ashamed to say that I'm still struggling at 43! When I told my family for the first time that I was gay (last year), my mother told me menacingly that the Koran says I should be hung by my toes. Horrifying, no? In any event, I think your film is a revolutionary act. It will, needless to say, give hope and empower many, many people and most importantly, could actually save lives. Your work is a gift.
Hamid
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