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Director: Muhammed Rum
Duration: 01:50
Type: Narrative
Year: 2004
Summary: JIHAD! In Arabic, translates as striving, struggling, a
zeal or effort and has two connotations: A lesser Jihad and a
greater Jihad. This movie focuses on the later through the personal
struggles of its main character Ed, a Palestinian-American living in
a pre-911 New York City, and as reflected in the lives of his
friends and family.
Cousin Salaam’s unanticipated visit to New York City, which is
precipitated by a close friends death in Ramallah (Palestine) brings
up repressed conflicts for Ed as he pursues an affair with Hanna, a
married American women.
Ed’s romantic fixation for Hanna belies a greater more cultural
relationship between the mid-east’s attraction for the west and its
struggle to come to terms with its limitations. Hanna holds the
promise of a new romantic life yet one which is hopelessly wedded to
it’s own contradictions.
Salaam at first is representative of many Arab stereotypes, but
surprisingly reveals a more accurate portrayal of Palestinians in
general. His visit triggers haunting memories for Ed of a
past-repressed life under occupation. Their discussions highlight
differences in political, cultural, as well as ideological
definitions about freedom, Islam and of course the meaning of Jihad.
Harold, a University Dean of Theology, tries to shed light on the
definition of Jihad with the two, and later exposes a perdition that
exposes his own Jihadic conflict. Harold expresses a darker more
obsessive reaction to the temptations of the west.
JIHAD! cries out for a greater definition then the one we have come
to understand post 911. Through the lens of its writer/director
Muhammed Rum it becomes a prism by which we can discover the
striving, struggles and zeal of the lives of those caught between
worlds.
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