Jihad! (2004)

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.