53 minutes | Urdu with English subtitles | 2020 | India

As a woman’s faith becomes her fire, what can stand in her way?

In the heart of Bhopal, where tradition runs deep and silence often surrounds resistance, Safia, a devout Muslim woman, quietly begins a revolution. When her husband invokes triple talaq and divorces her in her own absence, she turns to seek justice. 

Holy Rights is an intimate, unflinching documentary tracing Safia’s courageous journey as she navigates uncharted territory, confronting resistance and reshaping narratives that profoundly impact women’s lives. She challenges centuries of patriarchal tradition by training to become a Qazi – an interpreter and authority on Islamic personal law. Her decision, rooted in faith and a deep sense of justice, sets in motion a ripple effect among other Muslim women, who begin to reimagine their place in both religion and society.

The film unfolds over four years capturing landmark political shifts, the fight against the practice of triple talaq, and the quiet courage of women who refuse to be spoken for by religious authorities, political actors, or even well-meaning allies.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker Farha Khatun and producer Priyanka More, who will be joining us online, and a Q&A with the audience.