Name: Sunshine S.

Robles Date: April 17, 2023

Subject and Section: HIS003 – B7-2
Professor: Marwah M. Camama
MOVIE REVIEW: “Ayat Cinta”

I recently watched the captivating film "Ayat Cinta" or "Verses of Love" and was
immediately drawn in by its interesting storyline and variety of intriguing characters. The
movie follows Fahri, a devout Muslim Indonesian student studying in Al-Azhar, Cairo, Egypt.
The film does an excellent job of showcasing his unwavering faith in Allah and his journey to
understand why bad things happen to good people. Through Fahri's character, the movie
explores different themes of spirituality, morality, and personal growth, making it very
intriguing.

One aspect of the film that really caught my attention was how it tackled the sensitive
topic of domestic violence, highlighting that it can happen to anyone, regardless of their
religion. The movie's depiction of this issue was sensitive, yet powerful, effectively showcasing
the impact of such violence on the victims, like what happened to Noura who was raped by the
man she thought was her family. It was heartbreaking to see how it affected Noura, which
eventually connected the effects on Fahri and the other characters of the movie.

Aside from its themes, the film also did an excellent job of depicting different Muslim
cultures, rituals, and traditions. From "Taruuf," where Aisha was introduced to Fahri with her
family, and the detail of how she showed her face to her potential soon-to-be husband, to
polygamy, where Fahri had to marry Maria because of the complicated circumstances they
encountered. The movie provided a deeper view of Muslim practices, which was both
fascinating and informative.

The attention to detail in showcasing how Muslim men respect the bodies of females
was also remarkable and heartwarming, just like how Fahri respected the female characters he
encountered throughout the whole film. It highlighted the importance of respecting women and
treating them with dignity, a message which I believe is important to note, especially in today's
society.

Another impressive aspect of the film was its portrayal of how hardships can test one's
faith in Allah or God. Throughout the movie, Fahri faced several challenges that shook his
belief in Allah, and he struggled to reconcile his faith with the adversity he encountered when
he was imprisoned for being a victim because of the lie that Noura made. The film's exploration
of this theme was thought-provoking and provided a unique perspective on the complexities of
spirituality. It showed the struggles one can face during the test of their faith.

Additionally, the movie did an excellent job of character development. The characters
in the film, including Fahri, Maria, Aisha, and other supporting characters, were complex and
realistic. Fahri learned to accept his flaws as a person and learned that he unconsciously hurt
the feelings of the people around him. Aisha also became a better person by the end because
she learned how to fully accept other people and trust the entirety of their being. Maria learned
the difference between love and possession and became a remarkable character until the very
end, even though she died. I also commend Noura’s courage to finally speak up about the truth
and how she accepted that she would have to face the consequences of the wrong things she
did.

The film's exploration of interfaith harmony was also impressive, particularly with the
character of Maria, who, despite being Christian, demonstrated an unshakable faith in her
beliefs. The movie showcased that people from different religious backgrounds can live
together in harmony, highlighting the importance of tolerance and understanding in our diverse
and divided world.

Overall, "Ayat Cinta" is a thought-provoking, well-crafted film that successfully delved

into the complexities of religion, culture, and societal issues. Its themes of spirituality, morality,
and personal growth, coupled with its well-developed characters and engaging storyline, made
it a must-see film for anyone seeking a captivating and inspiring cinematic experience. I would
definitely recommend it to my friends and would probably watch it again in the future to see if
my views had changed as I grow mentally and emotionally, maybe I would be able to connect
more to the characters of the movie and see things differently.