1) Why did you chose this topic for your film?

I choose this topic because I felt it expressed feelings I, myself, have had for many years. It expresses a voice of young Muslims around the world who do not fit into an easy mould or category or label. Most Muslims are labelled as religious, extremist, fundamentalist, or you are simply not considered a Muslim. I was raised in a Muslim family, but I don't pray much, and I do a lot of 'un-Islamic' things, and yet I don't renounce Islam or being Muslim. Most people who are Muslim today are part of this vast silent majority. We give time to the Mullahs, and the fundamentalists, but never to this more moderate voice. I wanted to do that, and these 'Muslim Punk' kids seemed to be the best voice to articulate these feelings.

2) What was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome?

Like all documentaries, the biggest hurdle is gaining and maintaining trust with your subjects. Like all relationships, its give and take. We all had to believe over this four year journey that we were on the same page, that we understood one another and that we had each other's best interests at heart. Other hurdles were minor by comparison, i.e. dodging Pakistani security forces while filming at certain mosques, or sneaking into the largest convention of Muslims in North America.

3) What surprised you the most?

I was surprised by much of what you see in the doc. Just because I'm Muslim, doesn't mean I don't succumb to stereotypes of Muslims. I often imagined situations being harsher than they actually were. I thought when the bands took stage at the ISNA Convention, they'd be booed by the audience. Imagine my surprise when I saw young hijabi girls chanting and throwing their fists up in the air. It made me realize that people are people.

4) What is your favourite music documentary?

I really loved the movie DIG! that came out a few years back. I really feel that captured the state of the music industry now, where a talented underground band can be consumed by its own demons before they ever have a chance to make it big. I also love Julian Temple's films, esp. The Filth and the Fury. Both of these films were big influences on Taqwacore.

5) What is your advice for others who want to make documentaries?

Persistence, Persistence. Persistence. You're going to hear plenty of rejections, and you're going to struggle with little to no money for a long long time. If you don't persist, against all odds, you're dead. Patience and endurance are what you need to reach that one "Yes" that propels you further. Making Taqwacore was like twenty "no thank you's." and five "yes, sure"s spread over four years. You have to develop a strong sense of dedication and purpose to stomach that.

Click here for details about the film, the trailer and where it will be shown.