Syed Ali Raza

For You I Will Syed Ali Raza

Born in Pakistan and the son of a well-off first generation immigrant, Hashim and his best friend, Bilal, grew up in the affluent suburbs of Northern Virginia, where high fashion and opulent weddings are the norm. During college, Hashim met the love of his life, Sakina, whom he continued to see in secrecy for over two years after graduation. When the couple finally resolve on telling their conservative families about their relationship, Shia Sunni sectarian differences introduce unbearable challenges for the pair. Can this contemporary hookah lounge-going, Instagram-stalking, snap chat-using couple survive the threat posed by generational old sectarian hatred? A compelling tale celebrating love, friendship, religion and modernity, For You I Will shines light on the struggles of balancing religion and culture for Pakistani-American youth all while attempting to maintain a sense of self-identity.