Dear HOMAN member,

In the Name of Allah [working title], an unprecedented documentary that shatters assumptions about faith, sexuality and religious fundamentalism in Islam, announces its first West Coast public preview with a Gala event in Los Angeles in November. Filmed in 11 different countries in 9 different languages, this expansive global documentary is the story of Islam told by its most unlikely storytellers; gay, lesbian and transgender Muslims. Using intimate, first-hand narratives, this feature-length film tells the story of gay Muslims from around the world who are attempting to reconcile their love of Islam with harsh Quranic prohibitions against homosexuality.

We are writing to ask you to join us as part of the Host Committee for the preview event, which will include a screening of select clips from the film and special appearances by some of the film’s subjects. Shattering myths and claiming our global identity is imperative; please join us and become a catalyst of this historic moment.

To join the Host Committee, we ask that you give or help raise $500 for the event. Host Committee members are also asked to mail 20 event invitations to their friends, family members, clients and/or co-workers. We can do the mailing for you if we receive your list by September 8th, which is also the deadline for having your name included on the invitation.

Unlike other documentaries about sexual politics in Islam made by Western directors, In the Name of Allah speaks with a Muslim voice. The film conveys the personal stories of its diverse characters with immediacy and candor. These brave individuals have faced enormous adversity. As one can imagine, it was a difficult decision for them to participate in the film; however, those who have come forward to tell their stories feel this film is too important for them to say no.

Directed by Parvez Sharma, a noted Gay Muslim filmmaker, and produced by Sandi DuBowski, the director/producer of the award-winning film Trembling Before G-d, co-produced in association with five international TV broadcasters, In the Name of Allah is guaranteed to reach audiences around the world. The film will be both compelling entertainment and used as a catalyst for change, educating audiences on Islam and on key issues of conscience, human rights, gender and sexuality, spiritual leadership, and torture and fundamentalism.

The filmmaker, with unprecedented access into his own communities, has captured stories that range from torture and hangings committed against sexual minorities in Iran, to a groundbreaking look into gay life in Saudi Arabia, to the struggle for acceptance of an openly gay Imam. The strands of this story weave a rich tapestry of Islam, its many cultures, its historically documented celebration of same sex love, its music, and its poetry.

Contributions will be used to edit and complete the film and launch an International Muslim Community Outreach Project to generate dialogue about homosexuality in Muslim communities, help Muslim families and individuals in crisis, move religious leaders from dialogue to action, and save the lives of gay and lesbian Muslims. We hope you can join us for this night of celebration and hope, to be both a witness and a catalyst to this historic moment.

Please download the files here:

Host Committee Draft | Host Committee Form | One Pager

Thank you,

Jehan Agrama, Co-Chair
Dean Hansell, Co-Chair
Sandi DuBowski, Producer
Parvez Sharma, Director