A Birmingham director, tired of stereotypical portrayals of Muslims on screen, aims to highlight the diverse experiences within the community through his new film, “Of God’s Men.” Waheed Iqbal, the visionary behind this award-winning project, seeks to move beyond the limited depictions of Muslims as “doctors, terrorists, or entirely devout practitioners.”
“Of God’s Men” tells the compelling story of two brothers whose conflicting lives test their bond. Through themes of suicide, religion, and crime, Iqbal hopes to inspire audiences to crave more nuanced and varied Muslim narratives. He emphasizes the need for mainstream media to improve its portrayal of Muslims and South Asians, advocating for more representation both on and off the screen.
The film’s plot revolves around Saif, who turns to faith after a suicide attempt, only to have his beliefs challenged when he moves in with his more rebellious brother, Ameen. This gripping tale won Best UK Feature Film and Best Actor at its world premiere at the Manchester International Film Festival.
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Scheduled to premiere in Birmingham this August at Digbeth’s Mockingbird Cinema, the film showcases Iqbal’s lifelong passion for storytelling and videography. A native of Birmingham, Iqbal combined his skills to create a film that he believes speaks both to his community and universally.
For me, it wasn’t just about making movies but about giving a voice to my community,” Iqbal shared. “‘Of God’s Men’ is a story from my community that needs to be seen, but it’s a universal story too. We lack representation as both South Asians and Muslims. Our stories are no different from anyone else’s.”
Iqbal criticizes the lack of complexity in Muslim characters in mainstream media, often pigeonholed into simplistic roles. “Muslim characters rarely show the conflict and depth that real people experience. We have the same aspirations, love, hate, and anger as anyone else. I want to create complex characters that audiences can learn from and relate to, especially when they are Muslim.
The film captures the internal and external conflicts between the brothers, mirroring societal tensions reflected on social media where people chase either material success or deeper meaning. Filming took place across Moseley, King’s Heath, and Sparkhill, areas well-known to Iqbal.
Iqbal also stresses the importance of having Muslim voices behind the scenes. Not everyone telling these stories has to be British Muslim, but having them on your team is crucial for sensitivity and authenticity. It ensures proper representation and provides a platform for Muslims to contribute meaningfully.
When asked about his hopes for the film’s impact, Iqbal said, “I want viewers to leave the film with a new perspective. The film addresses mental health, religion, and crime, but it’s up to the audience to interpret and find their own answers. I hope it sparks a desire for more stories from this demographic.
“Of God’s Men” will screen at The Mockingbird Cinema on August 10 and 11. Tickets are available for purchase here.
