Islam and Me

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Comment by Kimby on May 30, 2011 at 21:16

Thank you for the video Madhi!
It upsets me when people make ignorant comments about Muslim people. Islam is like all the other religions - there is good, and bad; there are those who strive to understand, and there are those only believe what they are told to believe. My best friend from high school is Muslim. Her father was the first person who spoke openly to me about religion, and showed me that there are more similarities between faiths then differences. Both she and he have stood up for my right to identify as gay. That is more than I can say for some other people.

Comment by Sean Miller on November 24, 2009 at 9:46

Hi Mahdi,
Really enjoyed watching your video. It was very emotional and I felt moved to tears by the things you were saying about how scar'n it can be when people force black and white thinkn onto us as children. You've been on an intense journey. Hope you create more digital stories.
Sean

Comment by Melina MIchelle Magdalena on November 18, 2009 at 19:16

COngratulations, Mahdi. You are very brave and I admire your film tremendously. It is simple and powerful, as Fanny says. Your voice is very gentle and firm - not glass-shattering - and as I listened to your narration, I thought what a good person you are (even though I've only met you very briefly at the workshop!)

Comment by Fanny Jacobson on November 16, 2009 at 18:05

This is a truly amazing little film Mahdi ... really powerful in it's simplicity - wonderfully evocative imagery and the sound is haunting - that call to prayer is also an integral part early memories - in Cape Town, where there is a sizable Muslim community, the sound echos off the mountain three times a day

Comment by Rainbow Family Tree on November 16, 2009 at 14:01

Islam and Me – by Mahdi Nor

In making this story I tried to tell about my struggle and journey in reconciling religion and sexual identity. I hope that watching it will help other same sex attracted Muslims to know that they do not have to choose between two identities - they can embrace and celebrate both. I also hope that heterosexual Muslims are not so quick to pass judgment of other same sex attracted Muslims.
Making this story was not easy. It brought up a lot of bad and painful memories even though I thought I had dealt with them. For example I was quite scared about using my own voice (I thought my voice would make all the glass in the room shatter!) because I was worried about my voice being recognized. However telling this story just made me feel even stronger and I believe the decision I have made is the right one.