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.