A Jihad for Love

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A Jihad for Love

Released May 21, 2008

1h 21m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

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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.

Critics Consensus

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Parvez Sharma

Director

Parvez Sharma

Writer

Sandi Simcha DuBowski

Producer

Andrew Herwitz

Producer

Michael Huffington

Executive Producer

Andrew Herwitz

Executive Producer

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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