How does one tell the story of moderate Islam and more importantly where does one begin? With a subject as politically volatile as it is challenging, Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye is a story that manages to tell the Pakistani view point after 9/11 and more importantly portrays Islamic sentiments without turning it into slogan chanting.

What this film wants to tell you is that the world is going the wrong way,  when the central character cries out, “You don’t allow me to hate Osama.”

The movie takes you through the lives of two brothers Mansoor and Sarmad, born into an affluent and moderate Muslim family in Lahore and their choices.

From guitar-strumming pop singers, one becomes a jehadi, while the other pays the price for being a suspected jehadi in the US post-9/11. To add to the complications their cousin Mary arrives from London to spend a few days with them, only to discover that she has been tricked by her father into coming to Pakistan to avoid her marrying her non-Muslim boyfriend Dave

The issues are plenty- the world against Islam, the conflict within Islam, the status of women within Islam and the true interpretation of the Quran. The director minces no words.

Technical glitches aside, this movie is all about emotions and it delivers.  Shaan’s portrayal of the logical and peace- loving Mansoor who loses his mind to torture is brilliant.

What gives us hope is when a moderate Muslim maulvi ( Shah) says “Two men who did the greatest service to Islam in Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal, did so without a beard and out of the so called Islamic dresscode, in western dress.”

A great gift from our neighbour indeed.