Parvez Sharma

Sharma was born on 8 July 1973 in New Delhi and grew up in various cities all over India. His high school was a Catholic School called St Mary's Academy where all students had to recite the Pater Noster during morning assembly. He studied English literature at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta. He received his master's degrees in Mass Communication (Film and Television) from Jamia Millia Islamia University, Broadcast Journalism from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and Video from American University's School of Communication. He moved to the United States in 2000 as a student at Columbia University's Film School, but was unable to continue a second semester due to lack of funds and moved to American University where he was given scholarships.{{Cite web|title=Parvez Sharma {{!}} HuffPost|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/parvez-sharma|access-date=2018-03-05|website=www.huffingtonpost.com|language=en}}

Parvez Sharma worked as television journalist in India and the United Kingdom, including for India's 24-hour news television network NDTV. A journalist, Sharma has worked in radio,

{{cite web|date=2003-08-15|title=The Democracy Now! Staff Talks About the Blackout of 2003|url=http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/08/15/1415212|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114020519/http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03%2F08%2F15%2F1415212|archive-date=14 November 2007|access-date=2007-02-11|publisher=Democracy Now!|df=dmy-all}}

print, and broadcast. Sharma worked as a producer at Democracy Now! in New York in 2003.{{Cite news|title=The Democracy Now! Staff Talks About the Blackout of 2003|language=en|work=Democracy Now!|url=https://www.democracynow.org/2003/8/15/the_democracy_now_staff_talks_about|url-status=live|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324224650/https://www.democracynow.org/2003/8/15/the_democracy_now_staff_talks_about|archive-date=24 March 2018}}{{Cite news|title="A Jihad for Love": New Film Explores Challenges Facing Gay Muslims Worldwide|language=en|work=Democracy Now!|url=https://www.democracynow.org/2008/5/20/a_jihad_for_love_new_film|url-status=live|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319215020/https://www.democracynow.org/2008/5/20/a_jihad_for_love_new_film|archive-date=19 March 2018}} He has taught as an adjunct professor at American University, developing and teaching that university's first curriculum on Bollywood and other Indian cinemas.

His piece "Emerging from the Shadows" for The Statesman in India was the country's first major newspaper article to discuss the life of Indian lesbians.

He was involved in the organization of the first organized LGBT effort in the state of West Bengal and has spoken internationally on LGBT issues, human rights violations across the world and the crisis in 21st century Islam.

On 18 November 2017, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Sanctuary for Independent Media said, "For the past decade he has made fearless, multiple award winning films about faith, identity, religious extremism and social justice.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hass.rpi.edu/pl/hass-events/?objectID=100004347|title=iEAR Presents! SINNER in MECCA with filmmaker and author Parvz Sharma - School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)|website=www.hass.rpi.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-03-06}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Washington Post said about the second film, "In the film, Sharma condemns the Saudi government's strict interpretation of Islam, which he says promotes the dangerous ideology that produces groups such as the militant Islamic State."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/gay-muslim-films-secret-pilgrimage-in-a-sinner-in-mecca/2015/09/10/c893f854-57e5-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html|title=Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in 'A Sinner in Mecca'|first=Rachel|last=Lowry|date=2015-09-10|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2018-03-06|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307083811/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/gay-muslim-films-secret-pilgrimage-in-a-sinner-in-mecca/2015/09/10/c893f854-57e5-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}} Reviewing A Jihad for Love the newspaper had said, "Sharma is right to keep his focus tight. He is interested in the faithful and their conflicts, not the broader cultural issues surrounding sex and Islamic society."{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/04/AR2008090401024.html|title=Courage in the Face of Oppression|journal=The Washington Post and Times-Herald|date=2008-09-05|access-date=2018-03-06|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307083802/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/04/AR2008090401024.html|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}} The Los Angeles Times said Sharma "crossed several dangerous lines in his work and the government in Singapore banned A Jihad for Love and that the Muslim Judicial Council in South Africa has declared him an apostate."{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-26-me-beliefs26-story.html|title=Film airs secret struggle of gay Muslims|last=Helfand|first=Duke|date=2008-07-26|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-03-06|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221343/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/26/local/me-beliefs26|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/film-singapore-censorship-dc/singapore-censor-bans-4-films-at-film-fest-report-idUSSIN15900020080405|title=Singapore censor bans 4 films at film fest: report|date=2008-04-05|work=Reuters|access-date=2018-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307022809/https://www.reuters.com/article/film-singapore-censorship-dc/singapore-censor-bans-4-films-at-film-fest-report-idUSSIN15900020080405|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/04/06/47922.html|title=Singapore bans gay Muslim movie from film fest|website=www.alarabiya.net|access-date=2018-03-06|date=6 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307082310/https://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/04/06/47922.html|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}} Fridae Asia reported, "A Jihad for Love - which Singapore censors say is too controversial to be shown at the country's international film festival last year - was broadcast to potentially more than a billion in India and other countries by India's NDTV."{{Cite news|url=http://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2009/08/12/8767.a-jihad-for-love-shown-on-indian-tv-network-and-website|title='A Jihad for Love' shown on Indian TV network and website|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330212829/http://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2009/08/12/8767.a-jihad-for-love-shown-on-indian-tv-network-and-website|archive-date=30 March 2018|url-status=live}} A Jihad for Love was banned from the Singapore International Film Festival in 2008 by the Media Development Authority, which oversees the censorship board, "in view of the sensitive nature of the subject that features Muslim homosexuals in various countries and their struggle to reconcile religion and their lifestyle." About 14 percent of Singapore's 4.4 million population is Muslim. Singapore banned A Sinner in Mecca,{{Cite news|url=http://sgiff.com/update/sinner-in-mecca/|title=A Sinner in Mecca {{!}} Singapore International Film Festival|work=Singapore International Film Festival|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330212636/http://sgiff.com/update/sinner-in-mecca/|archive-date=30 March 2018|url-status=live}} as did Egypt, Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Yet semi-open screenings were held in Cairo, Kuala Lumpur and Karachi.{{Cite news|url=https://pluralsg.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/a-jihad-for-love-banned-in-singapore/|title='A jihad for love' banned in Singapore|date=2008-04-06|work=PLURAL|access-date=2018-03-06|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307023308/https://pluralsg.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/a-jihad-for-love-banned-in-singapore/|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}} In just its opening week during a limited release of 33 cities, A Jihad for Love, for example, ran for four weeks at New York's IFC theaters.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ifccenter.com/films/a-jihad-for-love/|title=IFC Center - A Jihad for Love|work=IFC Center|access-date=2018-03-20|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421185420/http://www.ifccenter.com/films/a-jihad-for-love/|archive-date=21 April 2018|url-status=live}} The film grossed $22,287, out of which $10,519 was just in New York.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2008&wknd=21|title=Weekend Box Office Results for May 23-25, 2008 - Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320230629/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2008&wknd=21|archive-date=20 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://johanna-hypatia.livejournal.com/123472.html|title=New York declares "A JIHAD FOR LOVE"|last=Cybeleia|first=Johanna-Hypatia|date=2008-05-29|language=en-us|access-date=2018-03-06}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=jihadforlove.htm|title=A Jihad for Love (2008) - Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151013/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=jihadforlove.htm|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}} The Domestic Total Gross for the film is $105,659.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=jihadforlove.htm|title=A Jihad for Love (2008) - International Box Office Results - Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321063020/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=jihadforlove.htm|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=live}} A Jihad for Love was theatrically released in 33 cities,{{Cite web|title=First Run Features: A JIHAD FOR LOVE|url=https://www.firstrunfeatures.com/jihadforlove_synopsis.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203002021/http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/jihadforlove_synopsis.html|archive-date=3 December 2017|access-date=2018-03-08|website=www.firstrunfeatures.com}}{{Cite web|title=First Run Features: A JIHAD FOR LOVE|url=https://www.firstrunfeatures.com/jihadforlove_playdates.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529163308/http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/jihadforlove_playdates.html|archive-date=29 May 2016|access-date=2018-03-08|website=www.firstrunfeatures.com}} while A Sinner in Mecca was released in only four cities, for a week each.{{Cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/09/16/film-events-metro-detroit-sept-17-23/72271028/|title='Sinner in Mecca' chronicles gay Muslim's pilgrimage|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=2018-03-20|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612231603/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/09/16/film-events-metro-detroit-sept-17-23/72271028/|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/oct/14/review-sinner-mecca/|title=Guest Review: 'A Sinner In Mecca'|last=Romani|first=Rebecca|work=KPBS Public Media|access-date=2018-03-20|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232310/http://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/oct/14/review-sinner-mecca/|archive-date=8 March 2018|url-status=live}} Its box office numbers were low, except in New York where it had a higher box office return of $11,220.{{Cite web|title=A Sinner in Mecca - Laemmle.com|url=https://www.laemmle.com/films/39755|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813112252/http://www.laemmle.com/films/39755|archive-date=13 August 2018|access-date=2018-03-08|website=www.laemmle.com}}

As a commentator on Islamic, racial and political issues, Sharma's writings have appeared on The Huffington Post, The Daily Beast and The Guardian.{{Cite web|title = Parvez Sharma|url = https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sharma-parvez|website = the Guardian|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160811124209/https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sharma-parvez|archive-date = 11 August 2016|url-status = live}}

In 2009 Sharma reported about the aborted Green Movement in Iran using firsthand accounts and interviews with friends in Tehran and often giving readers of The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast a look into the workings of the uprising.{{Cite web|url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/parvez-sharma/the-basij-will-face-retri_b_218311.html|title = The Basij Will Face Retribution: Exiled by the regime, Ayatollah Mohsen Kadivar Gives His Own Sermon|date = 2009-07-21 |access-date = 2015-12-19|website = The World Post|publisher = The Huffington Post|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110507/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/parvez-sharma/the-basij-will-face-retri_b_218311.html|archive-date = 22 December 2015|url-status = live}}

In early 2011 Sharma blogged about the revolution in Egypt, providing a local perspective on the events.{{Cite web|url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/parvez-sharma/egypt-is-burning-and-it-i_b_815605.html|title = Egypt Is Burning, and It Is Not a Facebook or Twitter Event|date = 2011-01-28 |access-date = 2015-12-19|website = The World Post|publisher = The Huffington Post.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222113008/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/parvez-sharma/egypt-is-burning-and-it-i_b_815605.html|archive-date = 22 December 2015|url-status = live}} He spoke about the nature and extent of social media influence in the Middle East to press across the world, including interviews with newspapers in China, including the South China Morning Post and interviews on various US networks including CNBC, MSNBC and FOX News.

Sharma continues to be a commentator on Islamic, racial and political issues. In 2009 Sharma wrote the foreword for the anthology [https://books.google.com/books?id=9y_TyzK9_5oC&dq=praeger+parvez+sharma&pg=PR3 Islam and Homosexuality]{{Cite book|title = Islam and Homosexuality|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9y_TyzK9_5oC|publisher = ABC-CLIO|date = 2010-01-01|isbn = 9780313379031|first = Samar|last = Habib|access-date = 19 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160507125317/https://books.google.com/books?id=9y_TyzK9_5oC|archive-date = 7 May 2016|url-status = live}} (Praeger, 2009). He was interviewed and his work was profiled in journalist Robin Wrights book 'Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion in the Middle East'.{{Cite book|title = Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World with a New Concluding Chapter by the Author|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=x4fQDPclBmsC|publisher = Simon and Schuster|date = 2012-08-07|isbn = 9781439103173|first = Robin|last = Wright|access-date = 22 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160425211534/https://books.google.com/books?id=x4fQDPclBmsC|archive-date = 25 April 2016|url-status = live}} His work on the Arab Spring was profiled in author Cole Strykers book 'Hacking the Future: Privacy, Identity and Anonymity on the Web'.{{Cite book|edition = 1|title = Hacking the Future: Privacy, Identity, and Anonymity on the Web|publisher = The Overlook Press|date = 2012-09-13|location = New York, NY|isbn = 9781590209745}}{{Cite book|title = Hacking the Future|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=v0sjCQAAQBAJ|publisher = Overlook Press|date = 2012-09-13|isbn = 9781468305456|first = Cole|last = Stryker|access-date = 22 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160427123117/https://books.google.com/books?id=v0sjCQAAQBAJ|archive-date = 27 April 2016|url-status = live}} In 2007 he wrote a chapter for the book Gay Travels in the Muslim World.{{Cite book|edition = 1|title = Gay Travels in the Muslim World|publisher = Routledge|date = 2007-05-16|location = New York|isbn = 9781560233404}}

The US-based OUT Magazine named Sharma one of the OUT 100 twice for 2008 and 2015- "one of the 100 gay men and women who have helped shape our culture during the year". In 2016 Sharma won the Monette Horowitz award given to individuals and organizations for their significant contributions toward eradicating homophobia.{{cite web|url=http://monettehorwitz.org/awardees.html#Parvez|website=The Monette-Horwitz Trust|access-date=5 May 2016|title=Current Awardees 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603194042/http://monettehorwitz.org/awardees.html#Parvez|archive-date=3 June 2016|url-status=live}}

In his early career he has worked on programming for BBC World Television (India), the Discovery Channel (United States), and the World Bank (United States).

As an author Sharma is represented by literary agency Sterling Lord Literistic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/login.php/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=370;cat=non-fiction_narrative;s=all|title=Publishers Marketplace: Log In|website=www.publishersmarketplace.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-19}} As a speaker, he was represented by Lavin Speakers{{Cite web|url=http://www.thelavinagency.com/speaker-parvez-sharma.html|title=Parvez Sharma Speaking Bio & Videos |website=www.thelavinagency.com|access-date=2015-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222145104/http://www.thelavinagency.com/speaker-parvez-sharma.html|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}} and Keppler Speakers.{{Citation|last=Keppler Speakers|title=Parvez Sharma: Islam and Identity|date=2010-01-28|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPOzFXpYPyw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112214407/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPOzFXpYPyw |archive-date=2021-01-12 |url-status=dead|access-date=2018-03-24}}{{Cite web|url=https://speakerpedia.com/speakers/parvez-sharma|title=Parvez Sharma - Public Speaking & Appearances - Speakerpedia, Discover & Follow a World of Compelling Voices|website=speakerpedia.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324224400/https://speakerpedia.com/speakers/parvez-sharma|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=Parvez Sharma's "A Jihad For Love" Trailer|date=2013-12-23|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwPG3qzORt0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111000504/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwPG3qzORt0 |archive-date=2020-01-11 |url-status=dead|access-date=2018-03-24}}

In 2009, Sharma was named as one of "50 Visionaries changing your world" in a list headed by the Dalai Lama.{{Cite news|last=Yeffeth|first=Laura|title=Sharma, Parvez - BenBella Books|language=en-US|work=BenBella Books|url=https://www.benbellabooks.com/authors/sharma-parvez/|url-status=live|access-date=2018-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001353/https://www.benbellabooks.com/authors/sharma-parvez/|archive-date=12 April 2018}}{{cite journal|date=November–December 2009|title=50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World|url=http://www.utne.com/politics/50-visionaries-changing-your-world-hope-2009.aspx#axzz2zAIoPD5f|url-status=live|journal=UTNE Reader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012618/http://www.utne.com/politics/50-visionaries-changing-your-world-hope-2009.aspx#axzz2zAIoPD5f|archive-date=19 April 2014|access-date=17 April 2014}}{{Cite web|title=Parvez Sharma|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/parvezsharma-144|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302181034/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/parvezsharma-144|archive-date=2 March 2017|access-date=2018-04-11|website=www.huffingtonpost.com|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2015-10-13|title=Film Screenins at the Athena on Islam and LGBTQ|language=en-US|work=Ohio University {{!}} College of Arts & Sciences|url=https://www.ohio-forum.com/2015/10/film-screenings-at-the-athens-on-islam-and-lgbtq-oct-13-14/|url-status=live|access-date=2018-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319214108/https://www.ohio-forum.com/2015/10/film-screenings-at-the-athens-on-islam-and-lgbtq-oct-13-14/|archive-date=19 March 2018}} On 29 May 2013 Sharma was honored as an "LGBT hero" by first-lady Michelle Obama at a DNC fundraiser in New York.{{Cite news|date=2013-05-30|title=DNC treasurer defends Michelle Obama's LGBT speech|language=en-US|work=Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/05/30/dnc-treasurer-pushes-back-against-enda-immigration-criticism/|url-status=live|access-date=2018-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082101/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/05/30/dnc-treasurer-pushes-back-against-enda-immigration-criticism/|archive-date=12 April 2018}}{{Cite web|title=I just donated to support Democrats|url=https://my.democrats.org/page/contribute/LGBT2013Gala|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001331/https://my.democrats.org/page/contribute/LGBT2013Gala|archive-date=12 April 2018|access-date=2018-04-11|website=my.democrats.org|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|title=US: Jason Collins and Michelle Obama to headline Democratic LGBT gala|language=en-US|work=PinkNews|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/06/us-jason-collins-and-michelle-obama-to-headline-democratic-lgbt-gala/|url-status=live|access-date=2018-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082201/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/06/us-jason-collins-and-michelle-obama-to-headline-democratic-lgbt-gala/|archive-date=12 April 2018}}

In 2018, Sharma was the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship in the film/video category.

Sharma has received awards and grants over the years including

The Sundance Documentary Fund [Dec, 2006]{{Cite news|url=http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/a-jihad-for-love-and-its-worldwide-impact/|title=A Jihad for Love and its worldwide impact - A Sinner in Mecca|work=A Sinner in Mecca|access-date=2018-03-05|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811224417/http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/a-jihad-for-love-and-its-worldwide-impact/|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}}

Andy Warhol Foundation for The Visual Arts [Dec, 2006]{{Cite web|url=http://ajihadforlove.org/PressKit.pdf|title=Press Kit A Jihad For Love|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304055027/http://ajihadforlove.org/PressKit.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2018|url-status=live}}

GLAAD Media Award, 2008 for Outstanding Documentary

The Ted Snowdon Foundation [June, 2005]

The Hartley Film Foundation [June, 2005]{{Cite web|url=https://hartleyfoundation.org/jihad-for-love|title=A Jihad for Love {{!}} Hartley Film Foundation|website=hartleyfoundation.org|language=en|access-date=2018-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304055008/https://hartleyfoundation.org/jihad-for-love|archive-date=4 March 2018|url-status=live}}

The Yip Harburg Foundation [Nov, 2005 and Aug, 2007]

Stonewall Community Fund [Nov, 2005]

H. van Ameringen Foundation [November 2005, June 2007, December 2007, October 2013, September 2015]{{Cite web|url=http://www.iaac.us/jihad4love/sandidubowski.htm|title=Indo-American Arts Council, Inc.|website=www.iaac.us|access-date=2018-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922011325/http://www.iaac.us/jihad4love/sandidubowski.htm|archive-date=22 September 2011|url-status=live}}

Foundation for Fairer Capitalism [Feb, 2006]{{Cite web|url=http://www.iaac.us/jihad4love/parvezsharma.htm|title=Indo-American Arts Council, Inc.|website=www.iaac.us|access-date=2018-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124091422/http://iaac.us/jihad4love/parvezsharma.htm|archive-date=24 November 2010|url-status=live}}

E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation [March, 2006]

Tides Foundation 4/2006 and [April, 2008]

Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation, Inc. [May, 2006]

The Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program [June, 2006]

Reid Williams Foundation [July, 2006]

The Fledgling Fund [Aug, 2006]

B.W. Bastian Foundation [Aug, 2006 and July, 2007]

The Reva & David Logan Foundation [Sep, 2006]

The Ford Foundation Matching Gift Program [Sep, 2006]

Jeff Lewy Trust [Sep, 2006]

Horizons Foundation [September 2006, October 2006, March, 2007, July 2007 and March 2008]

Rosenthal Rev. Trust [Oct, 2006]

Global Fund for Women [Oct, 2006]

Zeigler Family Trust [Nov, 2006]

The Katahdin Foundation [Dec, 2006]

The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation [Dec, 2006] and [Dec, 2007]

Arcus Foundation [Jan, 2007 and Jan, 2008]

Cinereach [Oct, 2005]{{Cite web|url=https://www.sundance.org/blogs/news/the_cinereach_project_at_sundance_institute#/|title=The Cinereach Project At Sundance Institute|website=www.sundance.org|access-date=2018-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172613/https://www.sundance.org/blogs/news/the_cinereach_project_at_sundance_institute#/|archive-date=4 March 2018|url-status=live}}

The CAA Foundation [Jan, 2007]

Gill Foundation [Jan, 2007 and Feb, 2007]

Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund [Jan, 2007]

Lucius & Eva Eastman Fund [April, 2007]

Arts PAC—Artists for Freedom Of Expression [June, 2007]

The Zacks Family Foundation [Aug, 2007]

The Ted Snowdon Foundation [Sep, 2007]

Cinereach Foundation [Sep, 2007 and March, 2008]

The Paul Rapoport Foundation [May, 2008]

Lesbian Equity Fund (Astraea) [April, 2008]

The Elliott H. Matthews Foundation [June, 2008]

Best Film, Image +Nation, Montreal 2008, 2015

Best Film, Mix Brasil 2008

Parvez Sharma's work was screened and awarded in many film festivals including:

Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival [2008]{{Citation|title=A Jihad for Love|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780046/awards|access-date=2018-05-10}}

Outfest - Grand Jury Award [2015]{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2204599/awards|title=Parvez Sharma|website=IMDb|access-date=2018-03-05}}

Sheffield International Documentary Festival [2015]

Torino International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival [2008]

Best Film, Tricontinental Festival India, 2008

Special Teddy, Berlin International Film Festival 2008{{Cite web|url=http://www.festivalblog.com/archives/2008/02/a_jihad_for_lov.php5#more|title="A Jihad for Love" von Parvez Sharma|website=www.festivalblog.com|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325045305/http://www.festivalblog.com/archives/2008/02/a_jihad_for_lov.php5#more|archive-date=25 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.berlinale.de/de/archiv/jahresarchive/2008/02_programm_2008/02_Filmdatenblatt_2008_20081012.php#tab=filmStills|title=A Jihad For Love|website=www.berlinale.de|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325045245/https://www.berlinale.de/de/archiv/jahresarchive/2008/02_programm_2008/02_Filmdatenblatt_2008_20081012.php#tab=filmStills|archive-date=25 March 2018|url-status=live}}

Outfest, Los Angeles, Best Documentary, 2008 and 2015

Best Film, Turin Film Festival, 2008

Best Film, Amal Arab Film Festival, 2008

Best Documentary, Rapid Lion Film Festival, Johannesburg [March, 2016]

Best Documentary, Reeling Film Festival, Chicago [Oct, 2018]

Best Documentary, One World International Film Festival, Prague, 2008

{{main|A Jihad for Love|A Sinner in Mecca}}

Sharma is best known for directing the films A Jihad for Love and A Sinner in Mecca. A Jihad for Love is a documentary that seeks to refute the belief that LGBT Muslims do not exist.{{cite web

|url = http://www.tremblingbeforeg-d.com/inthenameofallah/invite.html

|title = In the Name of Allah

|access-date = 2006-08-28

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061112202030/http://www.tremblingbeforeg-d.com/inthenameofallah/invite.html

|archive-date = 2006-11-12

}} This film was preceded by a short film called In the Name of Allah.{{Cite web |url=http://hartleyfoundation.org/development/in_the_name_of_Allah.php |title=A Jihad for Love |access-date=20 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706143543/http://www.hartleyfoundation.org/development/in_the_name_of_Allah.php |archive-date=6 July 2007 |url-status=live }}

Sharma, director and cinematographer of the film, came up with the idea after listening to the stories of gay Muslims when he attended American University. He decided to give a voice "to a community that really needed to be heard, and that until now hadn't been. It was about going where the silence was strongest."{{cite news

| last = Rajan

| first = Sujeet

| title = Film of Muslim gays stirs up sentiments

| publisher = Indian Express

| date = 10 March 2006

| url = http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=2546

| access-date = 2007-02-08 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061005103714/http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=2546 |archive-date = 2006-10-05}}

The film premiered in 2007 at the Toronto International Film Festival and in 2008 at the Berlinale. It went on to premier at more than a hundred film festivals globally and was released in theaters in the US and Canada in 2008 by First Run Features and Mongrel Media.{{Cite web|title = First Run Features: A JIHAD FOR LOVE|url = http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/jihadforlove_synopsis.html|website = www.firstrunfeatures.com|access-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012503/http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/jihadforlove_synopsis.html|archive-date = 5 March 2016|url-status = live}} It was produced by Sandi Simcha DuBowski in association with Channel 4 Television (UK), ZDF (Germany), Arte (France), MTV-Logo (US), The Sundance Documentary Fund and SBS. While the film reveals homophobia and persecution in the Muslim world, Sharma has stated that the purpose of the film is not to vilify Islam. In an early interview he said, "The Islam that this film is seeking to reclaim is rich, it is pulsating, it's welcoming, condemning sometimes, it's loving, it's erotic, it's sensual, it's poetic and it's musical."{{cite news|last=Dettman|first=Katie|date=19 October 2006|title=Benefit held for gay Islam film|publisher=Bay Area Reporter|url=http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=1258|url-status=live|access-date=2007-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024114912/http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=1258|archive-date=24 October 2006}}

A Jihad for Love had a theatrical release across 33 cities in the continental United States and a theatrical release by Mongrel Media in Canada limited to Toronto and Vancouver.

By 2011, Sharma had conducted live events and screenings of A Jihad for Love in many Muslim nations and capitals ranging from Beirut, Lebanon and Istanbul, Turkey, to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In Indonesia, the film did an 8-city tour to acclaim and also protests. A multi city tour in Mexican theaters organized by Ambulante used the film as a tool for advocacy in deeply religious communities in that country.{{Cite web|title = Parvez Sharma - A Sinner in Mecca|url = http://asinnerinmecca.com/team/parvez-sharma/|website = A Sinner in Mecca|access-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223110101/http://asinnerinmecca.com/team/parvez-sharma/|archive-date = 23 December 2015|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|title = Ambulante {{!}} Gira de Documentales|url = http://ambulante.com.mx/en/mas/documental/una-jihad-por-amor|website = ambulante.com.mx|access-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150124111942/http://ambulante.com.mx/en/mas/documental/una-jihad-por-amor|archive-date = 24 January 2015|url-status = live}}

The film also thrived underground, with private screenings of smuggled DVDs. In July 2009 Sharma conducted workshops on Islam and homosexuality with German parliamentarians in Berlin and was invited to screen and workshop A Jihad for Love by the European Union.{{Cite web|title = A Jihad for Love and its worldwide impact - A Sinner in Mecca|url = http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/a-jihad-for-love-and-its-worldwide-impact/|website = A Sinner in Mecca|access-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170811224417/http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/a-jihad-for-love-and-its-worldwide-impact/|archive-date = 11 August 2017|url-status = live}}

Sharma was first profiled by The New York Times in 2004 which said "Given the hostility toward homosexuality in some Islamic factions, Mr. Sharma has gone to great lengths to reassure many of his interview subjects that they will remain anonymous."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/02/movies/act-of-faith-a-film-on-gays-and-islam.html|title=Act of Faith: A Film on Gays and Islam|last=Hays|first=Matthew|date=2004-11-02|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2015-12-22|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705003622/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/02/movies/act-of-faith-a-film-on-gays-and-islam.html|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}}

The film also had its fair share of criticism. On 5 September 2008 Seattle Times said, "For all the research, courage and passion that went into it, the movie is sometimes curiously one-note."

With his second film, A Sinner in Mecca, The New York Times ran a second feature profile feature on Sharma, saying "The documentary, largely recorded on an iPhone strapped to Mr. Sharma's neck with rubber bands, shows the pilgrimage in unflinching detail. The result is a religious reality film, but also a piercing indictment of Saudi Arabia"{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/nyregion/parvez-sharma-a-sinner-in-mecca.html|title=A Gay Muslim Filmmaker Goes Inside the Hajj|last=Glaser|first=Gabrielle|date=2015-09-24|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2015-12-22|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705005912/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/nyregion/parvez-sharma-a-sinner-in-mecca.html|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}} The film premiered in Toronto at the 2015 HotDocs Canadian Film Festival and opened in theaters in the US on 4 September 2015.{{Cite web|title = Cinema Village - Movie Information|url = http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/show_movie.asp?movieid=3529|website = www.cinemavillage.com|access-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150906145839/http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/show_movie.asp?movieid=3529|archive-date = 6 September 2015|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}} The film won Best Documentary at Outfest Los Angeles in July 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://www.screendaily.com/other-festivals/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article|title='A Sinner In Mecca' among 2015 Outfest winners|work=Screen|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231926/https://www.screendaily.com/other-festivals/a-sinner-in-mecca-among-2015-outfest-winners/5090676.article|archive-date=8 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/07/nasty-baby-and-a-sinner-in-mecca-lead-outfest-winners-214896/|title='Nasty Baby' and 'A Sinner In Mecca' Lead Outfest Winners|last=Borden|first=J.D.|date=2015-07-20|work=IndieWire|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231752/http://www.indiewire.com/2015/07/nasty-baby-and-a-sinner-in-mecca-lead-outfest-winners-214896/|archive-date=8 March 2018|url-status=live}} A Sinner in Mecca received press and audience attention but also lead to online abuse, death threats and hate mail.{{Cite news|title = Security is being added for the world premiere April 29 of A Sinner in Mecca by gay Muslim filmmaker Parvez Sharma.|url = https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|newspaper = The Toronto Star|date = 2015-04-28|access-date = 2015-12-22|issn = 0319-0781|first = Linda|last = Barnard|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170812023130/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|archive-date = 12 August 2017|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|title = Hot Docs: Cinema Security Heightened for 'A Sinner in Mecca' World Premiere|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hot-docs-cinema-security-heightened-791248|website = The Hollywood Reporter| date=24 April 2015 |access-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223100728/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hot-docs-cinema-security-heightened-791248|archive-date = 23 December 2015|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|title = Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary|url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|website = the Guardian|access-date = 2015-12-22| date=May 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170710111018/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|archive-date = 10 July 2017|url-status = live}}

Even though both his films were banned in Singapore{{Cite web|title = A Sinner in Mecca {{!}} Singapore International Film Festival|url = http://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/sinner-in-mecca/|website = Singapore International Film Festival|access-date = 2015-12-22|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151204015453/http://sgiff.com/browse-all-films/sinner-in-mecca/|archive-date = 4 December 2015|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}} and parts of the Middle East and led to theological condemnation in many countries, Sharma is a leading spokesperson on defending Islam yet being able to speak for urgent reform, as a Muslim. He has conducted more than 200 live events{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|title=Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary|date=2015-05-01|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710111018/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|archive-date=10 July 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/parvezsharma-144|title=Parvez Sharma {{!}} HuffPost|website=www.huffingtonpost.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302181034/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/parvezsharma-144|archive-date=2 March 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/|title=The Daily Beast|website=The Daily Beast|language=en|access-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901010340/http://www.thedailybeast.com/|archive-date=1 September 2011|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2017/09/parvez-sharma/|title=A Sinner in Mecca: This Gay Muslim Risked His Life to Reveal a Side of Islam Most Have Never Seen - Towleroad|date=2017-09-20|work=Towleroad|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401021426/http://www.towleroad.com/2017/09/parvez-sharma/|archive-date=1 April 2018|url-status=live}} across the world, talking about Islam and, in part, its relation to topics ranging from ISIS to homosexuality.

As early as 2 November 2004, a New York Times interview explained, "threats to the director have become routine. "About every two weeks I get an e-mail that berates me, condemns me to hell and, if they are nice, asks me to still seek forgiveness while there is still time."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/02/movies/act-of-faith-a-film-on-gays-and-islam.html|title=Act of Faith: A Film on Gays and Islam|last=Hays|first=Matthew|date=2004-11-02|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705003622/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/02/movies/act-of-faith-a-film-on-gays-and-islam.html|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}} He was provided a personal security detail at the TIFF 2007 premiere of A Jihad for Love in 2007 and A Sinner in Mecca 2015 premiere at Hotdocs in Toronto.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/a-sinner-mecca-hot-docs-790891|title='A Sinner in Mecca': Hot Docs Review|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412084408/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/a-sinner-mecca-hot-docs-790891|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}} The death threats and hate mail continued over the years. In 2015, The Toronto Star said " Security is being added for the world premiere 29 April of A Sinner in Mecca ".{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|title=Hot Docs: Film premiere brings online threats {{!}} The Star|work=thestar.com|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812023130/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2015/04/28/hot-docs-film-premiere-brings-online-threats.html|archive-date=12 August 2017|url-status=live}} On September 4, 2014, the day the film was released theatrically in the US, the New York Times said "After "Jihad," Mr. Sharma was labeled an infidel, and in the intervening years, he has gotten more death threats than he cares to recall."

The death threats and hate mail were widely discussed in the mainstream media. The Guardian said, "Parvez Sharma's film A Sinner in Mecca, in which he tries to reconcile his sexuality and his religion, resulted in hate mail and threats."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|title=Gay Muslim film-maker receives online abuse for hajj documentary|date=2015-05-01|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710111018/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/01/gay-muslim-film-maker-receives-online-abuse-for-hajj-documentary|archive-date=10 July 2017|url-status=live}} The Washington Post said that it was an "enormous amount of hate mail and death threats".{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/gay-muslim-films-secret-pilgrimage-in-a-sinner-in-mecca/2015/09/10/c893f854-57e5-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html|title=Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in 'A Sinner in Mecca'|first=Rachel|last=Lowry|date=2015-09-10|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307083811/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/gay-muslim-films-secret-pilgrimage-in-a-sinner-in-mecca/2015/09/10/c893f854-57e5-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}} VICE said the threats were a "barrage" adding that, "Sharma is no stranger to controversial filmmaking".{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/meet-the-gay-muslim-filmmaker-who-secretly-filmed-his-pilgrimage-to-mecca/|title=Meet the Gay Muslim Filmmaker Who Secretly Filmed His Pilgrimage to Mecca|date=2015-06-30|work=Vice|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082301/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9bgbpd/meet-the-gay-muslim-filmmaker-who-secretly-filmed-his-pilgrimage-to-mecca|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}

Singapore was amongst the first nations to ban the two films from being screened or being streamed online on services like Netflix.{{Cite web|url=https://whatsnewonnetflix.com/singapore/m/a-sinner-in-mecca-2015|title=Is A Sinner in Mecca (2015) on Netflix Singapore? {{!}} WhatsNewOnNetflix.com|website=whatsnewonnetflix.com|language=en|access-date=2018-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082623/https://whatsnewonnetflix.com/singapore/m/a-sinner-in-mecca-2015|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}} Chairperson of the board of Film Censors Amy Chua as saying that the film was "disallowed in view of the sensitive nature of the subject".{{Cite news|url=https://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2008/04/07/2037.singapore-bans-documentary-about-gay-muslims-from-film-festival|title=singapore bans documentary about gay muslims from film festival|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082756/https://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2008/04/07/2037.singapore-bans-documentary-about-gay-muslims-from-film-festival|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}} A Sinner in Mecca was "was given a "Not Allowed for all Ratings" classification."{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/film-singapore-censorship-dc/singapore-censor-bans-4-films-at-film-fest-report-idUSSIN15900020080405|title=Singapore censor bans 4 films at film fest: report|author=Reuters Editorial|work=U.S.|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307022809/https://www.reuters.com/article/film-singapore-censorship-dc/singapore-censor-bans-4-films-at-film-fest-report-idUSSIN15900020080405|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.screendaily.com/screenasia/indias-the-fourth-direction-takes-top-award-at-singapore-fest/5097669.article|title=India's 'The Fourth Direction' takes top award at Singapore fest|work=Screen|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412145417/https://www.screendaily.com/screenasia/indias-the-fourth-direction-takes-top-award-at-singapore-fest/5097669.article|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}

GCN wrote, "Sharma is no stranger to death threats; 'A Jihad for Love', his documentary about the lives of gay and lesbian Muslims, generated much controversy upon its release in 2007. Days after the film's April premier, Sharma says Iranian government propaganda websites accused him of promoting a "disgusting act of homosexuality," adding that the film was an 'insult to Islam.'"{{Cite news|url=https://gcn.ie/gay-sinner-mecca-director-receives-death-threats/|title=Gay 'A Sinner in Mecca' director receives death threats {{!}} GCN {{!}} Gay Ireland News & Entertainment|date=2015-09-01|work=GCN|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412083057/https://gcn.ie/gay-sinner-mecca-director-receives-death-threats/|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}} Pink News reported Sharma saying, "The very Muslims I'm seeking acceptance from are attacking me because I'm a gay man and because I made this film. As a Muslim, you are taught from a very young age that you do not mess with Mecca, and I'm doing exactly that."{{Cite news|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/12/gay-muslim-filmmaker-terrified-after-mecca-film-leads-to-hate-mail-and-threats/|title=Gay Muslim filmmaker 'terrified' after Mecca film leads to 'hate mail and threats'|work=PinkNews|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308213253/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/12/gay-muslim-filmmaker-terrified-after-mecca-film-leads-to-hate-mail-and-threats/|archive-date=8 March 2018|url-status=live}} OUT said, "Parvez Sharma ... grew up gay in a conservative city in India, but he seems impervious to vitriol, which helps, considering that his latest documentary, A Sinner in Mecca – a story of his personal journey on the hajj – has resulted in death threats since it began screening.{{Cite news|url=https://www.out.com/out100-2015/2015/11/09/out100-parvez-sharma-dan-sickles-antonio-santini|title=Out100: Parvez Sharma, Dan Sickles & Antonio Santini|date=2015-11-09|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082418/https://www.out.com/out100-2015/2015/11/09/out100-parvez-sharma-dan-sickles-antonio-santini|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.out.com/movies/2015/8/28/focus-queer-middle-east-sinner-mecca|title=Focus on Queer Middle East: A Sinner in Mecca|date=2015-08-28|access-date=2018-04-11|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325045010/https://www.out.com/movies/2015/8/28/focus-queer-middle-east-sinner-mecca|archive-date=25 March 2018|url-status=live}}

{{Main|A Sinner in Mecca: A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance}}

In 15 August 2017, Parvez Sharma released his first book A Sinner in Mecca, A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance by publisher BenBella Books.{{Cite web|url=https://www.benbellabooks.com/shop/a-sinner-in-mecca/|title=A Sinner in Mecca (Book)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005056/https://www.benbellabooks.com/shop/a-sinner-in-mecca/|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=25gavgAACAAJ|title=A Sinner in Mecca: A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance|last=Sharma|first=Parvez|date=2017|publisher=BenBella Books|isbn=9781944648374|language=en}} They declared it one of their front-list titles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.benbellabooks.com/product-category/frontlist-titles/|title=Frontlist Titles Archives - BenBella Books|last=Yeffeth|first=Laura|website=BenBella Books|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083147/https://www.benbellabooks.com/product-category/frontlist-titles/|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}} The publisher claims 14 NYT bestsellers on its list.{{Cite news|url=https://www.benbellabooks.com/about/|title=About BenBella - BenBella Books|last=Yeffeth|first=Laura|work=BenBella Books|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320043723/https://www.benbellabooks.com/about/|archive-date=20 March 2018|url-status=live}}

Sharma started writing professionally at an early age. Between the years of 1994 and 1996, he started writing as an undergraduate at Presidency College, Calcutta in India, for the newspapers The Telegraph, The Statesman and The Business Standard. He contributed to US publications like Trikone.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RacYBwAAQBAJ&q=parvez+sharma+trikone&pg=PA89|title=Shifting the Geography of Reason: Gender, Science and Religion|last1=Banchetti-Robino|first1=Marina Paola|last2=Headley|first2=Clevis Ronald|date=2009-03-26|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|isbn=9781443806305|language=en}}

The book has mixed reviews in the media.

The Guardian newspaper says, "Written by a man with a deep knowledge of Islamic historic; with courage and fierce emotion." It adds, "Parvez Sharma is a proud gay Muslim whose first film, A Jihad For Love, was the first ever made about Islam and homosexuality. It made him the subject of death threats throughout the Arab world."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/10/a-sinner-in-mecca-review-islam-homosexuality-gay-muslim|title=A Sinner in Mecca review – Islam, homosexuality and the hope of tolerance|last=Kaiser|first=Charles|date=2017-09-10|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302131630/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/10/a-sinner-in-mecca-review-islam-homosexuality-gay-muslim|archive-date=2 March 2018|url-status=live}}

In the book Sharma sharply veers away from the subject of the film of the same name and instead focuses on Wahhabi Islam, Daesh, Saudi Arabia, the Indian sub-continent and more.{{Cite book|last=Sharma|first=Parvez|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EvOaDgAAQBAJ&q=asra+nomani+parvez+sharma&pg=PR1|title=A Sinner in Mecca: A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance|date=2017-08-15|publisher=BenBella Books|isbn=9781944648404|language=en}}

Sharma has called the book as the final product of his "Islam Trilogy"{{Cite web|url=https://www.gf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Sharma_Parvez_Guggenheim_Media-Attention_Download.pdf|title=Guggenheim - The Islam Trilogy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082154/https://www.gf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Sharma_Parvez_Guggenheim_Media-Attention_Download.pdf|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}} in various interviews. In one titled "A Jihad for Love and Equality: A Chat with trailblazer, Parvez Sharma"{{Cite news|url=https://indulgemagazine.com/2018/01/17/a-jihad-for-love-and-equality-a-chat-with-trailblazer-parvez-sharma/|title=A Jihad for Love and Equality: A Chat with trailblazer, Parvez Sharma|date=2018-01-17|work=indulge|access-date=2018-03-05|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005351/https://indulgemagazine.com/2018/01/17/a-jihad-for-love-and-equality-a-chat-with-trailblazer-parvez-sharma/|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}} he explains this as,"The Islam Trilogy is my contribution to history which actually began three months after September 11, 2001, when I started filming, A Jihad for Love, the world's first film on Islam and homosexuality. In 2011, just months after I reported the Arab Spring extensively and bin Laden's death I decided to go on Hajj. This would be my Hajj of defiance—and if found out I faced certain beheading. But as a filmmaker I knew this would be the greatest journey of my life and there was no way I would not film it. It was historic, you are not permitted to film in Mecca according to Wahhabi theology (even though short YouTube videos proliferate) but I did. Many shut their doors on me. Many foundations who had embraced Jihad were too afraid of this. In any case a three-year struggle ensued and we had another world first— A Sinner in Mecca, a film in Mecca and Medina shot entirely on an iPhone. Then I began writing the book that would say everything the film was not able to. That became A Sinner in Mecca: A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance. Thus the trilogy which represents almost two decades of hard earned work ends as I had always planned it."

In 2018, A Sinner In Mecca was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in the category of Gay Memoir/Biography{{Cite news|url=https://www.lambdaliterary.org/lambda-literary-award-finalists/|title=30th Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalists|last=Boureau|first=Ella|date=2018-03-06|work=Lambda Literary|access-date=2018-03-24|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054652/https://www.lambdaliterary.org/lambda-literary-award-finalists/|archive-date=9 March 2018|url-status=live}} and for a 2017 Foreword INDIES Award.{{cite web |title=2017 Foreword INDIES Winners in LGBT (Adult Nonfiction) |url=https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/winners/2017/lgbt-1/ |publisher=Foreword Reviews |access-date=30 October 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030205905/https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/winners/2017/lgbt-1/ |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live }}

Sharma has been a featured speaker at more than 40 college campuses in the U.S., which include Stanford,{{Cite web|url = https://web.stanford.edu/group/religiouslife/cgi-bin/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/sermon_1-9-11_SM.pdf|title = Establishing Justice|date = 9 January 2011|access-date = 21 December 2015|website = Establishing Justice|publisher = Stanford University|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150622162404/https://web.stanford.edu/group/religiouslife/cgi-bin/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/sermon_1-9-11_SM.pdf|archive-date = 22 June 2015|url-status = live}} Berkeley, Yale, Columbia, NYU, Harvard (1 April 2016 and 17 October 2016),{{Cite web|url=https://college.harvard.edu/college-events/sinner-mecca-lgbtq-film-series|title=A Sinner in Mecca--LGBTQ film series {{!}} Harvard College|website=college.harvard.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325045044/https://college.harvard.edu/college-events/sinner-mecca-lgbtq-film-series|archive-date=25 March 2018|url-status=live}} Syracuse, Northwestern and the University of Chicago. He toured several US Southern States in 2009 and called it his "Bible Belt Tour" speaking directly to issues around LGBT rights (or the lack thereof) within conservative Christian communities.{{Cite web |url=http://www.iaac.us/jihad4love/parvezsharma.htm |title=Indo-American Arts Council, Inc |access-date=21 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124091422/http://iaac.us/jihad4love/parvezsharma.htm |archive-date=24 November 2010 |url-status=live }}

In 2009 Sharma was invited as a keynote speaker to the United Nations at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy{{Cite web|title = Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy {{!}} Speakers {{!}} Parvez Sharma|url = http://www.genevasummit.org/speaker/17/parvez_sharma|website = Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222084640/http://www.genevasummit.org/speaker/17/parvez_sharma|archive-date = 22 December 2015|url-status = live}} during Durban Review Conference.{{Citation|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hln90AISNdU|access-date = 2015-12-21|title = Geneva Summit 1 : Parvez Sharma|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160313042922/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hln90AISNdU|archive-date = 13 March 2016|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|title = Fieldnotes from the Durban Review Conference: Parvez Sharma|url = http://durbanreview.blogspot.com/2009/04/parvez-sharma.html|website = Fieldnotes from the Durban Review Conference|date = 2009-04-20|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222163737/http://durbanreview.blogspot.com/2009/04/parvez-sharma.html|archive-date = 22 December 2015|url-status = live}} The same year he also addressed one of the world's largest gatherings of LGBT activists at the Gay Games in Copenhagen.{{Cite web|title = Denmark's Got Gay Spirit|url = http://www.outtraveler.com/exclusives/2009/06/30/denmarks-got-gay-spirit|website = Out Magazine| date=July 2009 |access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144211/http://www.outtraveler.com/exclusives/2009/06/30/denmarks-got-gay-spirit|archive-date = 22 December 2015|url-status = live}} He was invited by the Foreign Services Institute of the US Department of State as a keynote speaker in Washington, D.C., on 21 June 2012. The event was called "The Rights of LGBT Persons in the Middle East and South and Central Asia." On 20 December 2012, he conducted a day-long workshop with officials from the USCIS in the Department of Homeland Security.

The film producer Sandi DuBowski and director/ Producer Parvez Sharma launched the International Muslim Dialogue Project in 2008.[http://firstrunfeatures.com/presskits/jihad_for_love/jlove_pk.pdf][http://ajihadforlove.org/PressKit.pdf]{{Cite news|url=https://en.qantara.de/content/a-jihad-for-love-a-documentary-by-parvez-sharma-islams-most-unlikely-storytellers|title="A Jihad for Love" – a documentary by Parvez Sharma: Islam's Most Unlikely Storytellers - Qantara.de|work=Qantara.de - Dialogue with the Islamic World|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319215113/https://en.qantara.de/content/a-jihad-for-love-a-documentary-by-parvez-sharma-islams-most-unlikely-storytellers|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0pI4DwAAQBAJ&q=muslim+dialogue+project+jihad+for+love&pg=PA118|title=American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 22:3|last1=Cohen|first1=Ariel|last2=Esposito|first2=John L.|last3=Fuller|first3=Graham E.|last4=Jan|first4=Abid Ullah|last5=Khan|first5=M. A. Muqtedar|date=2005-08-08|publisher=International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)|language=en}}

Part of the aim for the project was to organize screenings of the film in Muslim Capitals. Sharma called it the "Underground Network Model" of film distribution. He invented this model sending unmarked DVDs of the film with friends and colleagues to Muslim capitals across the world with full permission to sell pirated copies.{{Cite web|url=https://calendar.boell.de/de/event/filme-queer-middle-east|title=Filme: Queer Middle East {{!}} Boell Calendar|website=calendar.boell.de|language=de|access-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705003238/https://calendar.boell.de/de/event/filme-queer-middle-east|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}}

Some of the boldest were Beirut, Cairo, Karachi, eight cities in Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur.{{Cite web|url=http://www.karlremarks.com/2010/09/jihad-for-love-comes-to-beirut.html|title='A Jihad for Love' comes to Beirut|website=www.karlremarks.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319214538/http://www.karlremarks.com/2010/09/jihad-for-love-comes-to-beirut.html|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=live}}[http://reverseshot.org/reviews/entry/1835/a-jihad-for-love]{{Cite web|url=http://microscopiq.com/2008/06/jihad-for-love/|title=A Jihad for Love: Being Gay in the Muslim World at microscopiq|website=microscopiq.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213857/http://microscopiq.com/2008/06/jihad-for-love/|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/a-jihad-for-love-and-its-worldwide-impact/|title=A Jihad for Love and its worldwide impact - A Sinner in Mecca|work=A Sinner in Mecca|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811224417/http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/a-jihad-for-love-and-its-worldwide-impact/|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.democracynow.org/2008/5/20/a_jihad_for_love_new_film|title="A Jihad for Love": New Film Explores Challenges Facing Gay Muslims Worldwide|work=Democracy Now!|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319215020/https://www.democracynow.org/2008/5/20/a_jihad_for_love_new_film|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=live}}

In a feature titled "How Parvez Sharma made a Jihad for Love" the U.S. based New York magazine said on 18 May 2008 "As such, Sharma says his ideal audience is faithful Muslims—and not just 'gay white men or activists.' To reach them, he's 'smuggled tapes into Iran and Pakistan,' leafleted mosques, blanketed MySpace, and 'hosted a screening at a home in Astoria for fifteen key progressive Muslim leaders.' There's more to do: 'Over the last six years, some of the most amazing conversations I've had about this film have been with taxi drivers, but I'm stumped about how to reach them again.'"{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/movies/features/47038/|title=N.Y. Screen: The Muslim Closet|website=NYMag.com|date=16 May 2008 |access-date=2018-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705004250/http://nymag.com/movies/features/47038/|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}}

In 2015 he launched a global Muslim empowerment endeavor called Project 786.{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/article/722060/a-sinner-in-mecca-gay-director-risks-death-by-filming-his-haj-pilgrimage|title='A Sinner in Mecca': Gay director risks death by filming his Haj pilgrimage|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2018-03-24|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409070150/http://scroll.in/article/722060/a-sinner-in-mecca-gay-director-risks-death-by-filming-his-haj-pilgrimage|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live}} The project's website says "Project 786 is a worldwide Outreach, Dialogue and Measurable Change Project aimed at significantly impacting and changing contemporary discourse about Islam, today the worlds fastest growing and most contested religion."{{Cite news|url=http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/|title=Project 786 - A Sinner in Mecca|work=A Sinner in Mecca|access-date=2018-03-24|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126073923/http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=live}}

• Islam and homosexuality
• List of gay, lesbian or bisexual people
• List of Indian documentary filmmakers
• List of film and television directors

{{Reflist}}

• [http://parvezsharma.com Official Website]
• [http://ajihadforlove.org/home.html Official Website for A Jihad for Love]
• [http://asinnerinmecca.com/ Official Website for A Sinner in Mecca]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060427131936/http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/wonews036.htm Director of Film on Muslim Homosexuals Frets over His Subjects' Safety]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060901121416/http://islandia.law.yale.edu/reblaw/panelists.htm Parvez bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061005103714/http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=2546 Film of Muslim gays stirs up sentiments]
• [http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=1719 Parvez Sharma Interview] on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
• [http://asinnerinmecca.com/project-786/a-jihad-for-love-and-its-worldwide-impact/ An open letter from Parvez]
• [https://www.sundance.org/blogs/news/the_cinereach_project_at_sundance_institute#/ The Cinereach Project At Sundance Institute]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharma, Parvez}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of Cardiff University

Category:Presidency University, Kolkata alumni

Category:University of Calcutta alumni

Category:Jamia Millia Islamia alumni

Category:American University School of Communication alumni

Category:American film directors of Indian descent

Category:American LGBTQ film directors

Category:American LGBTQ journalists

Category:Indian LGBTQ journalists

Category:Indian LGBTQ writers

Category:Indian LGBTQ rights activists

Category:Film directors from New York City

Category:LGBTQ Muslims

Category:American LGBTQ people of Asian descent

Category:LGBTQ memoirists

Category:American Muslim activists

Category:Indian Muslim activists

Category:21st-century Indian Muslims

Category:Indian LGBTQ film directors