Alice Fordham, NOW Staff, October 3, 2008
In a world of fears about Islamic fundamentalism, [Shamir Allibhai] wants to paint a picture of Islam as a “mosaic rather than a monolith”, taking as his theme the Ismailis and the life of their leader, the Aga Khan, beyond the glitz.
This young director believes that the Ismailis represent a tolerance, moderation and equality to be treasured. In person, Allibhai is warm and witty, but it is clear that he sees his film as a work with a serious message, even an agenda.
He has, he told NOW Extra, wanted to make the film for years, especially since traveling with the Aga Khan and being impressed with his huge development program, but Allibhai sees it as more than a biopic. “It is,” he says, “about the Aga Khan on a primary level – who he is, the theology behind the Ismailis – the side of Islam that you don’t hear much about.”
But, he continues, “on a higher level, it’s about the divides between the Muslim and non-Muslim world and within the Muslim world itself. There are many people in the West who associate Islam with terrorism or bin Laden or Saddam Hussein, but there’s a plurality of viewpoints within Islam.” He wanted to tell the story of a people with more moderate beliefs.
Complete article at the source: NOW Extra
Earlier related: Aga Khan Film will premiere at the Beirut International Film Festival
Ismailimail 