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A Jihad for Love

Play trailer Poster for A Jihad for Love Released May 21, 2008 1h 21m Documentary LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels into the secretive world of homosexuality within the Islamic faith. He interviews those who try to reconcile their faith with the ban on gays and lesbians, attempting to walk a fine line between persecution and honesty. Religious leaders who are unequivocal on the subject are also interviewed and take a predictably hard-line stance. The subjects of the film choose to remain Muslims in countries where many others would flee.
A Jihad for Love

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Critics Consensus

This powerful documentary explores an important subject -- homosexuality in the Muslim world -- with humanity and courage.

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Critics Reviews

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Joshua Rothkopf Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader Covering more than half a dozen countries, Sharma stretches himself too thin, and as a result the documentary seems sketchy; he would have done well to present on-screen some of the background information in his production notes. Dec 9, 2008 Full Review John Hartl Seattle Times For all the research, courage and passion that went into it, the movie is sometimes curiously one-note. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 5, 2008 Full Review Don Willmott Filmcritic.com director Parvez Sharma sets out across the world to find out what it means to be gay and Muslim. In most cases, it means trouble. Rated: 4/5 Apr 29, 2009 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice A poignant and sobering depiction of the struggle of gay Muslims in 12 countries to reconcile their sexual orientation with their faith. Rated: 4/5 Apr 21, 2009 Full Review Cynthia Fuchs PopMatters Parvez Sharma's documentary, "A Jihad for Love", traces heartening, harrowing stories of Muslim gay men and lesbians. Rated: 6/10 Sep 12, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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PridePosterStudios Shines a light on the difficulties faced for those who are both queer and Muslim- something seldom seen on-screen. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/13/24 Full Review Audience Member A very disturbing documentary on the very difficult, impossible struggle gay folks face under Islamic hated. Didn't like Islam going into this film, now Jeez! Unbelievable the hatred disguised as religion. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member An informative and important film on a little-known and ruthlessly oppressed reformist movement within Islam. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member heart breaking tales of gay discrimination in Muslim communities Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Gay Muslims speak about their homosexuality and their devotion to Allah, two subjects that many will consider a death penalty even when used in the same sentence. Very depressing to watch and suggesting no way out (pun not intended) in the gay Muslim community, it is nevertheless a labour of love that takes guts to make. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member A very gutsy documentary about homosexuality in the Islamic world. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Jihad for Love

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A Jihad for Love

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels into the secretive world of homosexuality within the Islamic faith. He interviews those who try to reconcile their faith with the ban on gays and lesbians, attempting to walk a fine line between persecution and honesty. Religious leaders who are unequivocal on the subject are also interviewed and take a predictably hard-line stance. The subjects of the film choose to remain Muslims in countries where many others would flee.
Director
Parvez Sharma
Producer
Sandi Simcha DuBowski, Andrew Herwitz
Screenwriter
Parvez Sharma
Distributor
First Run
Genre
Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Theaters)
May 21, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 12, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$105.0K
Runtime
1h 21m