“Sex Inside A Burkha”: Iranian director’s film stirs protests in Muslim nations

KABUL: An Iranian director Ali Zafar Abbasi’s controversial silent film “Sex Inside A Burkha” based on true incidents of prostitution among married Muslim women in certain Muslim societies across the world has stirred protests in some parts of the world.

The short film of 45 minutes duration was partly short in Rajasthan and Old Delhi and features two Indian actors. The rest of the film’s cast includes actors of different nationalities including Iranian and Pakistani actors.

“The film is based on true incidents wherein young and good-looking married women from poor families are “hired” out by their husbands to satisfy the carnal needs of rich men from the Gulf countries for varying periods of time ranging from three to 24 months. The women are paid decent sums of money, but sometimes are physically or brutally abused by the men hiring them who want to get their money’s worth. This illegal practice is prevalent in several Muslim nations in very poor communities and is spoken of in hushed tones, although the entire family knows what is actually happening. It’s considered a ‘job’ or ‘service’ rendered by the woman to take care of the financial needs of her family and in some cultures is sort of revered,” explained Abbasi.

The practice has no legitimacy in Islam and yet is defended by some Conservative religious leaders in some places as a “noble service”. Abbasi says he wants to expose this practice through his short silent film and give it international coverage.