A new documentary, So You Want To Be A Muslim, directed by Hoda Elatawi, premiered on documentary Channel, with streaming available on CBC Gem starting October 23.

The film highlights the spiritual journeys of five North Americans who have converted to Islam, exploring the challenges and rewards of their transitions in a Western society that often views their decisions with skepticism.

Elatawi’s feature-length documentary chronicles the diverse experiences of these converts—three Canadians and an American couple—over a span of eight years.

Delayed in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, the film presents an intimate exploration of how adopting Islam has reshaped the lives, identities, and relationships of its subjects.

A Journey of Faith & Identity

One of the featured individuals, Barbara, was a promising musician and aspiring Anglican minister in her early 20s when she converted to Islam after marrying a Muslim man.

Despite the eventual breakdown of her marriage, her faith journey took her in unexpected directions, ultimately leading her to a fulfilling new role as a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Stephanie, a Millennial and francophone Acadian from New Brunswick now living in Ottawa, embraced Islam and adopted the hijab.

However, she continues to embrace parts of her pre-conversion life, including occasional social drinking and LGBTQ+ activism, particularly in support of her two gay fathers.

Rima, born in South Africa and raised in a culturally Jewish family, found her new Islamic identity in sharp contrast with the prejudice and Islamophobia she faced from her own relatives.

Her conversion to Islam brought her face to face with the biases within her family, complicating her rich sense of identity.

Johnae and her husband Eli, an African American couple from Puerto Rico now residing in the Bronx, also converted to Islam.

The pair live more conservatively than they did in their younger years, but their reversion to Islam has deepened their relationship with each other and their faith.

Breaking Stereotypes

The documentary reveals the complexities of living as a Muslim convert in the West. The individuals often feel torn between two worlds, struggling to find acceptance within their communities while also facing Islamophobia and misconceptions from the broader society.

Through their diverse stories, the film underscores the universal quest for meaning and belonging.

Director Hoda Elatawi hopes So You Want To Be A Muslim will serve as a tool to challenge widespread stereotypes about Islam.

“With words like ‘extremist’, ‘jihadist’, and ‘terrorist’ plaguing mainstream dialogue when the subject of Islam and Muslims come up,” Elatawi explains, “I hope the deeply personal stories revealed by the diverse group of people in my film will help break stereotypes and challenge preconceived notions about Islam.”

Produced by GAPC Entertainment, So You Want To Be A Muslim is supported by the Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, and several other cultural institutions. Elatawi aims to bridge the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims by focusing on the shared humanity and struggles revealed through the lens of these personal, transformative journeys.

Source: About Islam

This is the 19^th International award that the short-film has bagged so far. Previously, this short film was nominated in two international festivals in Baku and Istanbul.

The film narrates the hardships of the family of a Hazara victim in the bloody attacks of 2015 and 2018 in the city of Quetta, depicting the pain and suffering faced by the Hazaras as a result of targeted attacks.

Between 2018 and 2015, Pakistani Hazaras, most of whom live in the city of Quetta, witnessed deadly attacks in which hundreds of people were killed. Most of these attacks were carried out by extremist groups, including Lashkar Jhangvi and Lashkar Taiba.

Hussain Ali Yousafi, chairman of the Pakistan Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), was also assassinated in one of these attacks in 2009 by Lashkar Jhangvi.

Parwaz Dar Shab (Flying in Darkness)

Director and Writer: Safar Ali Danish

Producer: Safar Ali Danish, Aun Ul Haider

Release Date: April 2022

Cast: Howra Batool, Nargis Batool, Abdullah Jan Ghaznavi, Najeeb Hazara, Mirza Husssain Hazara

Storyline

Najeeba is a young girl, yet eldest daughter left in the family, to run demised father’s vegetable vendor, who recently martyred in an explosion at the fruit market in Hazar Ganji, Quetta. While living in a male dominant society, she is to confront the harsh realities that make her take some tough life decisions.

About the Director

Safar Ali Danish is an award-winning filmmaker based in Quetta, Pakistan. He graduated from Iqra University, Karachi with a degree in Film & TV. As the founder of the first production house in Quetta, Filmsaaz Production is a pioneer in the film industry in the region. He has Produced, wrote, directed and edited many documentaries and short films. He has received 16 international awards & 20 official selections for his short film “Parwaz Dar Shab” and has been recognized for his documentary films as well. His work aims to convey the unique experiences and perspectives of the people in his community to the world. He is passionate about using film as a medium to raise awareness and promote social change.

Source: Instagram