Watch A Sinner in Mecca

A Sinner in Mecca is a 2015 documentary film directed, written, and produced by Parvez Sharma. It follows the journey of openly gay Muslim filmmaker Parvez Sharma as he embarks on a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a journey that is compulsory for all Muslims to undertake at least once in their lifetime. But the catch is that homosexuality is considered a sin in Islam and is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia. This puts the filmmaker in a dangerous situation as he tries to reconcile his faith with his sexuality.

The film starts with Sharma's struggle to come to terms with his sexuality in the face of Islamic teachings that condemn homosexuality as a sin. He talks about how he has been ostracized by his family and his community for being gay and how he is afraid of what might happen if he goes to Mecca as an openly gay man. Despite these fears, Sharma decides to undertake the journey, partly as an act of defiance and partly with the hope of finding answers to his questions about faith and sexuality.

The film depicts the difficulties that Sharma faces as an openly gay man in Saudi Arabia, such as having to hide his identity from the authorities and the local people, and having to endure constant scrutiny from his fellow pilgrims. He describes his experiences in Mecca, where he is constantly reminded of his 'sinful' nature, and how he tries to find solace in the holy city despite the challenges he faces.

Throughout the film, Sharma presents a nuanced and insightful analysis of the relationship between homosexuality and Islam. He talks to various Islamic scholars, activists, and ordinary Muslims, trying to understand their perspectives on the issue. He also examines the different interpretations of Islamic teachings on homosexuality and how they have evolved over time. His findings are surprising and thought-provoking, revealing the complex interplay between faith, culture, and politics that shapes attitudes towards homosexuality in the Muslim world.

As the film progresses, the tension and drama build. Sharma's journey becomes increasingly difficult and dangerous as he tries to reconcile his faith with his sexuality. He is constantly on edge, knowing that he could be arrested or worse if his true identity is revealed. The viewer is left on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next and whether Sharma will ever find the answers he's seeking.

A Sinner in Mecca is a powerful and moving documentary that exposes the challenges faced by LGBTQ Muslims in a faith that is often seen as homophobic. Through Sharma's personal journey, we gain a deep insight into the struggle to reconcile sexuality and religion, and the courage it takes to confront the bigotry and discrimination that exists within one's own community. The film is a call to action for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to acknowledge and challenge the homophobia and intolerance that exists within our societies and to support those who are fighting for their rights.

Overall, A Sinner in Mecca is a deeply personal, insightful, and thought-provoking film that confronts some of the most pressing issues facing the Muslim world today. It is a film that deserves to be seen by all those who are interested in the intersection of faith and sexuality and the struggle for human rights and dignity. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

A Sinner in Mecca is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8 and a MetaScore of 68.