JIHAD! In Arabic, translates as striving, struggling, a zeal or effort and has two connotations: A lesser Jihad and a greater Jihad. This movie focuses on the later through the personal struggles of its main character Ed, a Palestinian-American living in a pre-911 New York City, and as reflected in the lives of his friends and family. Cousin Salaam`s unanticipated visit to New York City, which is precipitated by a close friends death in Ramallah (Palestine) brings up repressed conflicts for Ed as he pursues an affair with Hanna, a married American women. Ed`s romantic fixation for Hanna belies a greater more cultural relationship between the mid-east`s attraction for the west and its struggle to come to terms with its limitations. Hanna holds the promise of a new romantic life yet one which is hopelessly wedded to it`s own contradictions. Salaam at first is representative of many Arab stereotypes, but surprisingly reveals a more accurate portrayal of Palestinians in general.