About

'What I've known all along is that Islam is a religion that brings a message of peace, truth and inclusiveness. It's an open religion that is strong, beautiful and elegant. In this film I try to show how religious intolerance can tear all that down. I believe that it is the opposite of what we should strive for here.' Hanung Bramantyo

'Fahri bin Abdillah, a poor but intelligent student, wins a scholarship to Al Azhar University, which is regarded as the most important centre for Islamic learning and intellectual thought for the past 1000 years. With his life on track he must now overcome his shyness around women in order to complete a final personal goal: marriage. Despite his nervousness, Fahri's virtuous character and honourable behaviour attracts four women. Their competition for him, while he remains wholly oblivious of their affections, results in a story which is sometimes hilarious, tragic, joyous, and tearful; but ultimately Ayat Ayat Cinta speaks for the struggle of humanity to retain itself in the face of adversity. Adapted from Habiburrahman el-Shirazy's novel, which carried the subtitle "The Value of Love in Islam," Ayat Ayat Cinta provides insight into a variety of contemporary images and debates within Indonesian society about love that sometimes ignores religious identity and the nature of marriage. In this way, it profiles an alternative to the Arab-centric and Middle East-centric views and characterizations of Muslims and Islam.' Project Nur

Ages 18+