Jihad van liefde
Jihad van Liefde is a musical story based on the book of the same name. In it, David Van Reybrouck chronicled the moving story of Mohamed El Bachiri. This metro driver from Molenbeek, Belgium, lost his great love and mother of his three children in the terror attack in the Brussels metro on 22 March 2016.
Festival Lieve Stad,
Location ITA - Grote zaal
Run time 90 minutes
Genre Theatre
Jihad van Liefde
As a Moroccan and Muslim, Mohamed El Bachiri was a potential perpetrator in the eyes of some, but he did not get carried away by the hurricane of opinions and media violence that followed immediately after the tragedy. The impressive book and his inspiring and hopeful call for compassion on television expressed his love, grief and resilience.
De Meervaart, in collaboration with George & Eran Productions and the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, brings this important book to the stage.
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Played by actor Mohammed Azaay, Jihad of Love is a raw, musical and inspiring performance about an ordinary man who - struck by fate - forces himself into an almost superhuman thought. A man who fights hate with love and remains human even though something inhuman has been done to him. An extraordinary story about love, pain and reconciliation.
Reviews
Trouw
'In Sarah Ringoet's adaptation and Eran Ben-Michael's direction, it has become a theatrical document that hits you straight in the heart.'
de Volkskrant
'Jihad van Liefde is a brilliant blend of grief, anger and purification.'
NRC
'Hatred and sorrow turned into a story of love... that story is great'
Scènes
'Wonderful demonstration of faith in the goodness of people, pure love and hope.'
Parool
'In a world of increasing polarisation, Jihad van Liefde is an island of mercy.'
Theaterkrant
'A gripping story convincingly told.'
Credits
original script Sarah Ringoet, based on the book 'A Jihad of Love' by Mohamed El Bachiri, written by David Van Reybrouck, published by De Bezige Bij
music Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra
directed by Eran Ben Michaël (George & Eran Productions)
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set and lighting design Kouwenhoven&Kranendonk
with Mohammed Azaay
producer Meervaart in collaboration with Amsterdam Andalusisch Orkest and George & Eran Producties
tour planning and publicity material Senf Theater, Delft
17 - 26 March
Festival Lieve Stad,
Amsterdam is a city of many faces, literally, because we live here together with many different nationalities. Lieve Stad is about the city and all its inhabitants. This festival, a collaboration between ITA and Meervaart, is about bringing people together, in the city, in the theatre, in society. How do we live together and what stories do all individuals and groups carry with them? They all have their own stories, strengths and challenges. Showing these is the starting point of Lieve Stad,.