Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/298433455

As my career grows, I will continue to use my platform as a filmmaker to bring issues and challenge stereotypes to the mainstream media/entertainment, stories that are important to me and the Muslim community. I feel this is a strong way to tackle the rising tide of Islamophobia that has infected my country of the UK and the Western world.

​59% of the articles analysed associated Muslims with negative behaviour, while more than a third "misrepresented or made generalisations" about the community. MCB study 2019​

Please support me by helping fund the remaining budget to produce and distribute my latest film, Tasbeeh. Tasbeeh answers the question “what does it mean to be a British Muslim in Britain?”. Tasbeeh is a film that follows the reunion of friends Abdul (Abz) and Sayed (Sid) as they spend the evening uncovering some uncomfortable truths and exploring who they are and how they fit into Britain. A slice of life story about the diverse British Muslim experience as told through the eyes of a British Muslim in Britain.

Tasbeeh is partly supported by the BFI (British Film Institute) but I really need your help to complete the film to the highest quality it can be. We are aiming for the film to be seen by people all around the world, so together we can challenge the negative stereotypes of Muslims and give a realistic, balanced Muslim voice through the medium of film.

I’m crowdfunding to raise money to make a short film highlighting a massive cultural moment in Britain, and how it has impacted Muslims in the UK. This is a film that challenges the stereotypes that are rife in the Western media.

By supporting my project, you will give voice to a Muslim filmmaker who otherwise would struggle in an industry that is still tackling diversity issues. Muslim filmmakers remain hugely underrepresented in the UK film industry, but your support will give me the chance to create a striking new piece of work, helping a Muslim filmmaker to realise his creative vision, to tell a story with important social relevance, and to take a step towards a career as a feature filmmaker so that I can continue to tackle negative stereotypes and highlight causes and issues that affect Muslims and non-muslims alike. I have also undertaken the task of making sure the team supporting me in producing the film come from a diverse background too. We have Muslims, working-class, female and non-British people on the team to address the diversity issues behind as well as in front of the camera. Our two leads are rising British Muslim actors with credits on mainstream British TV drams, Doctors and Hollyoaks...

The Film

A contemporary drama set in Sheffield, exploring friendship, religious identity and class movement in Northern Britain directed by Iqbal Mohammed.

Genre: Social Drama
Location: Sheffield, UK
Run time: 10 minutes
Production status: Pre-production Start of Production: April 2021.

SYNOPSIS

Abz 22, a uni graduate who has been away for a number of years, is back in his hometown for the night and is reuniting with his childhood friend, Sid 22. Abz expects the same kind of night they used to have as teenagers, but he gradually realises that the place he remembers growing up in no longer feels like home. Sid, who has remained in the town throughout these years, feels trapped by these seemingly unstoppable changes. Can the two best friends pick up where they left off, or is their friendship too far gone where they no longer see the changing world through the same lens?

A Very Special​ Ambassador

We're excited to announce the Executive Producer of our BFI short film, Tasbeeh. Tez Ilyas, a British stand-up comedian featured on BBC, Sky and C4. The star of the cult-hit comedy The Tez O'Clock Show on Channel 4 and BBC's Man Like Mobeen. He's currently preparing his new stand-up tour and promoting his new book, The Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 3/4 (which is part of our campaign’s rewards!).

Tez is committed to support and uplift the new generation of British Asian and Muslim voices, and Tasbeeh is one of the many projects he is overtaking parallel to his comedy career to fulfil this goal.

Why Crowdfunding?

Despite the initial BFI funding, Tasbeeh still needs the last financial push to be completed. With your support, we can challenge the negative stereotypes of Muslims in the media and films and push raising Muslim voices into the mainstream.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my story and for all your continued support.

Rewards

1. BACKER | £15 (unlimited)
• Name in credits as Backer
• A download of the original script
• A download of the original score
• Early access to the film through a private link

2. PATRON | £50 (limited to 25)
• Name in credits as Patron
• A download of the original script
• A download of the original score
• Early access to film through a private link
• Exclusive Q&A via Zoom with the director, Iqbal Mohamed, the cast, and Tez Ilyas (Sunday, May 16th, 18:00 UK time)
• A physical copy of Tez Ilyas’ new book The Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 3/4

3. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER | £250 (limited to 10)
• Name in credits as Associate Producer
• Inclusion in IMDb profile as Associate Producer
• A download of the original script
• A download of the original score
• Early access to film through a private link
• Invitation to a private cast and crew screening (travel and accommodation not included)
• Exclusive Q&A via Zoom with the director, Iqbal Mohamed, the cast, and Tez Ilyas (Sunday, May 16th, 18:00 UK time)
• A SIGNED physical copy of Tez Ilyas’ new book The Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 3/4

​The Plan

TIMELINE
Pre-Production: April 15th-17th
Production (Shoot): April 19th-21st
Post-Production: April 22nd-May 3rd
EPK gathering and production / Festival Strategy: May 3rd-May 10th

HOW THE CROWDFUNDING FUNDS WILL BE INVESTED