'Sharia' comedy movie hits UK screens

A Muslim movie dubbed the first 'halal' action-comedy film is heading for the UK.

American Sharia aims to offer a new perspective on Islam… within the framework of a buddy cop comedy.

It stars Omar Regan as a detective who keeps his faith to himself, who is paired up with a partner less coy about being a Muslim as they seek to take down a terrorist gang.

Regan, an American stand-up who also wrote and directed the film, said: 'American Sharia is a Hollywood motion picture that sets out to use comedy to reverse the prejudices held against Islam and help promote the religion in a more positive way.

'It's an alternative form of entertainment, during a time where we are surrounded and exposited to increasing negativity and profanity. I'm really excited to watch my film with UK audiences.'

The family-friendly film co-stars several other Muslim comedians, including Iranian-American Baba Ali as the more devout Detective Abdullah, Preacher Moss of the Allah Made Me Funny comedy tour and YouTube comic Adam Saleh.

It will be shown in a 22-city UK tour, starting at the Hackney Empire in London on February 11, with no plans for a further cinema or online release. The tour (Schedule) will be raising money for the charity Penny Appeal to help orphans around the world.

The film was part-funded by a Kickstarter campaign which raised almost half its $250,000 budget and shot in Detroit last year.

When raising the money, Regan said: 'There are over 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, but we are often only being told from one story.

'I have a mission to tell stories by Muslims that everyone can enjoy. In this film we are breaking barriers, demystifying Islamic perspective and busting myths that are so prevalent in popular media.'

Here is a trailer:

Published: 20 Jan 2015