CAN WE CALLED THIS - JIHAD FOR LOVE?

MOVIE: JIHAD FOR LOVE

I read a commenter from well known local blogger (Ranting by MM) about this movie. It was compelling to write about the movie; sadly I do not have the opportunity to watch the movie and eager to watch (Still trying to get a hand of the dvd).
Some snippets:

“The movie was 'Jihad for Love' by Parvez Sharma, made in 2007. It is essentially about the plight of several gay Muslims, men and women, around the world including a gay Imam in South Africa, a gay Egyptian man who is forced into exile in France, some gay Iranian men also forced into exile after undergoing torture ( 100 lashes in one case) and some Egyptian and Turkish lesbian women.

The first thing that struck me about all the gay people in the movie was how religious they were. Indeed, far more than me. To them, praying and seeking help from God was the most natural thing. No doubt the Imam from South Africa had far more formal training than the rest but it impressed me that all of them, without exception, were always conscious of God, of their duties as Muslims. Furthermore in seeking to find answers to what they view as sexual orientations that they are born with and cannot help, it is to God and religion that they turn to, nowhere else. Not a single one seemed to have turned to drugs or anything. Certainly the idea of abandoning religion totally seemed not to have occurred to any of them.

Secondly, they all seemed like very loving family people. The imam was in fact a divorced father of three and the scenes with his children, who clearly adore him, are particularly touching. He has not hidden the fact that he is gay from them because he is out in the open but their love for him and declarations of support should anyone try to harm him underscored to me what family values is supposed to be about.

Similarly with the others. The young men forced into exile are seen phoning their mothers and the conversations are clearly emotional. Their mothers miss them, they miss their mothers. They all wish they did not have to be apart. I was intrigued that the Egyptian's conversation had so many references to religion ( as in "I have wonderful news today on the Prophet's birthday!) including ending the conversation with his mother saying "There is no God but God" and him responding, "And Mohamad is the Prophet of God." Perhaps this is typical of Egyptian culture but certainly no Malay I know ever speaks like this.

All of them live with the constant need to find some way of reconciling their sexuality with their religion. It is difficult and most have to live a life of secrecy. But not once do they abandon all hope that God is always merciful, compassionate and full of love and, as one of them said, "always by my side." The Egyptian man who was imprisoned and raped said he got through his ordeal by always keeping his Quran by his side and reading it constantly. I don't know of anyone with more privileged lives who do that.ets from the commenter” by Ranting MM.

My points: Movie is just movie, it portraits what the intension it wants to reveal and in this case was openness, acceptance beyond boundaries, love and family ties. The results of cause need to be judge by one’s faith not sentiments. I have to state my points that this is unacceptable.

As Muslim, we based judgment by referring to the prophets and Al-Quran as the basis but not merely through our ideologies, liberalizing and wishful thinking what should be right in the name of Allah SWT.

I do agree to a point that we need to guide, instill reasons, educate through socializing, understanding and upon many ways persistently guide in dealing with social issues such as gender, sexual preference involving gays people, women rights, freedom of religious and if upon all effort are made, punishment to deter shall be last resort.

I do not conclude by watching movie that touches the heart especially when it involve what is clearly state in holy Al-Quran through his messenger Nabi Lut and Sodom’s people. Are we saying that the lesson taught only to be applied back then and not here in this new liberalization of thinkers? Is latter judgment in Al-Quran representing poor judgment made then? Hence it is not suitable for the new millennium liberal thinkers?

We have to be careful what we think and write portraying what Islam we wish to be and not by merely thorough experience and hearing plight of Muslim people out there.

I recall, an article of a claim Islamic fighter which was idolize by the west liberation thinker and perhaps to some local here as well for her rights as to be women Imam equality (Amina Bedud) in Mosque and was supported as women right’s in Islam.

Should this in support of the Sexual Independent Rally for LBGT (Lesbian, Bi, Gay and Transsexual) the being lauded as human’s rights with added spices of hudud law and Muslim women equality here in home country?
Again, I do not support such move.

Is this political sentiment? Or Rights as lauded by the West? This is something you want to ponder…to me this is an invasion towards Principles of Islam. Thank you.

Epilog: KOSONG aka EMPTINESS

Kalau dulu aku balik dari ofis…permata hati ku akan terjerit jerit keriangan melihat aku pulang…belum sempat kereta terhenti…tergambar dan ter coret raut wajah keriangan Adam, Mira & Azizi apabila melihat ku kembali.

Merekalah penawar setiap penat lelah yang menghantui…Setiap petang aku tergesa ingin pulang…untuk melihat dan merasai kepetahan dan keriangan kalian…

Kini…aku begitu malas untuk pulang..masa masa petang dan malam ku..lebih pada ke kedai…membuang waktu serta membiarkan waktu tua tersasar tampa tujuan.
Ruang rumah ku kosong…sekosong jiwa dan hati ku…tiada lagi keriangan dan jeritan manja.

Orang berkata..carilah penganti…untuk teman hidup…yakni naluri lelaki ku sering meronta, namum hati ku tertutup buat seketika untuk menerima dan memberi kasih kepada seorang wanita.

Aku sendiri takut apakah masih ada kasih dalam diriku…untuk berkongsi kasih kembali. Aku lebih senang mati sendirian daripada mati berkasih. Cukup seketika ini kasih terdahulu terhenti tampa berganti.

Ya…, aku mencari kasih..kasih yang kekal abadi…Kasih Sayang Allah SWT, yang dijanjikan PASTI pada setiap insan bernama manusia. Tapi kenapa aku berpaling dari kasihNYA…mencari kasih yang hanya seketika didunia…

Jawapannya ada pada diri ku sendiri…iaitu…naluri manusia …itu juga lemahnya aku…terkandas..terhina…dalam mencari kasih.

Morning Inspiration

My fellow readers,

We sometimes search for miles on things that could inspire us in life, searching for things that can give the extra boost to lift up our lives, not knowing the things that can inspire us are very close, by the blink of an eye! every morning and every day is around us.

When I woke up this morning lying in bed,
I was asking myself,
What are some of the secrets of success in life?
I found the answer right there,
in my very own room.

The Fan said....Be Cool

The Roof said...Aim High

The Window said...See the World

The Clock said...Every minutes is precious

The Mirror said...Reflect before you act

The Calender said...Be up to date

The Door said..Push hard for your goals

AND NOT TO FORGET,
THE CARPET SAID...
KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY.

Have a purposeful day for Allah.

Wassalam,

Ohalf :)

My dear readears,

Happy Eid Mubarak or better said here "SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI" :)

I know its rather late for the good wishes but I'm holding back because I have just completed my six (6) days fasting in the month of Syawal and today is my Hari Raya again. The prophet Muhamad SAW have once said any muslim who completed fasting in the holy month of Ramadhan followed by six (6) days in Syawal month, as if he/she have been fasting for the whole year :)

Hari Raya is the time of the year, a celeberation that will be waited by most muslim here . As for me I do feel the athmosphere by doing shopping preparing for the festival. Got a couple of new coth for me and my love ones...a good bargin too :)

This year since my love ones are not able to be with me for the first four days, I decided to follows my aunties and cousin back to my grand dad home town in Negeri Sembilan, Gemenche to be precise. It has been more than 30 years ago since my last visit. Modernisation do take place but the old wodden house still strongly stand. Families and distance relatives where there and some I don't ever know have gathered in the small wooden house for a small kenduri tahlil (blessing ritual for Allah SWT , prophet Muhamad SAW and for the elders who has passed).

Ramdhan month for me...well, I need to make true confession that I do not peformed to my best during the holy month. I have missed out the Tarawih in the mosque by performing alone at home, do not do the "wakaf" in the mosque for the last 10 days ...all of these was due to unaccepted excuses. That shows how incompetent and ungreatful muslim I have been :(

We all pray for a better Ramadhan next year...hoping Allah SWT granted us the age, insyallah.

Coincidently, this year Hari Raya falls the same month for our IndependentDay and Malaysia Day celebration together. Taking this opportunity, wishing all Malaysian happy Independent Day & Malaysia Day...and value the freedom we have achieved from our warriors/soldiers in past...May god bless them, insyallah

Wassalam and warmest regards...to my fellow readers

Ramadhan Terakhir

Ramadhan membawa beribu erti buat diri ini manakala Aidil Fitri begitu menyiksa jiwa atas kerinduan. Sedalam usia yang telah melebih suku abad, diri ini selalu berkata adakah ini Ramadhan terakhir. Rasanya tak seberapa amalan yang dilakukan disepanjang Ramadhan walaupun penat kaki terasa lengguh longlai semasa Tarawih namum merasakan terlalu sedikit amalan di bulan yang mulia ini. Hajat hati terlalu besar ingin mengejar Lailatul Qadar namum tahu yang hakikat diri ini lebih pada berangan daripada berusaha.

Sudah masuk empat tahun Aidil Fitri tidak bererti, kerana tiada kemeriahan hati walaupun pada zahir bersungguh sungguh membuat persediaan namum kerinduan pada Permata Hati masih belum terubat luka yang sehingga kini masih terasa. Hanya pada Allah SWT, diri ini memohon kasih sayang dan rahmat sebagai ganti dibuka bumi dengan penuh kehambaan. Tiada siapa yang mengetahui apa yang terasa dan diri ini hanya mampu sujud pada Yang Esa meluahkan kesedihan.

Setiap kali terpandang kerenah anak anak kecil bermesra dengan ayah dan keluarga mereka setiap kali itu juga hati ini pasti menanggis walaupun tiada air mata kelihatan. Saat dan kerinduan inilah yang menjadi kepedihan dalam diri ini sehingga kini. Namum takdir illahi mengatasi segalanya. Tiada sesalan tersemat hanya kerinduan terikat…bukan pada yang pergi tapi pada hari hari yang menanti.

Coretan ringkas ini, Ohalf tujukan khas buat Permata Hati…sekiranya ini benar Ramadhan Terakhir buat ayah. Apa yang ingin ayah katakan yang ayah merasa Syukur terhadap Allah Yang Masa Esa kerana memberi kesempatan pada diri ini merasa kenikmatan hidup menjadi insan yang bergelar Ayah, walaupun tiada dapat memberi kesempurnaan pada tanggungjawab…maafkan ayah.