House of Gods (2024) s01e02 Episode Script

(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(MEN RESPOND IN ARABIC)
(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(RHYTHMIC ELECTRONIC MUSIC)
(ARABIC POP SONG PLAYS)
(EXCITED VOICES)
Come on!
Yeah!
Hey!
Hey! What's your problem?
- NADIR: Oi! Oi, oi!
- Just having fun.
- Cuz! Your parole, man!
- Relax. Relax.
Relax, alright?
Nadir!
(WIND BLOWS SOFTLY)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(MEN SPEAK ARABIC)
Sheikhna, what an honour
to have you with us.
We thank you for entrusting us
with this mission
to represent our community
in the most beautiful game.
(PEOPLE APPLAUD)
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
(PEOPLE APPLAUD)
Your backing makes our hearts
fly in joy
and souls humble.
Your financial support
to the squad
is most generous.
He prioritises football
with mosque money, no less.
PLAYER: Thank you, Sheikh.
(MAN SPEAKS ARABIC)
Eight, nine shots in, you know,
things are getting a bit
How you going?
I see there's someone in this
bloke's face getting aggressive.
Straightaway I go over,
grab him,
right hand to the face.
So by the time I look back,
he's run off
(PENSIVE MUSIC)
As he's stumbling, he grabs me,
pulls me aside (TRAILS OFF)
- Salaam alaykum.
- Alaykum as-salaam.
Om Marwan,
I want to make a transfer.
To this account.
- All this to Iraq?
- Yeah, to charity, actually.
Brother Isa,
that's very honourable.
But that's a lot to send
in one payment.
Is there, like, a way for you
to run multiple transactions?
Since it's for charity,
I can make
three transfers today.
I'll make one under your name
and the other two under my
and my husband's name.
I'll do the same over
the next few days.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Ah, for the son of
our beloved sheikh.
(TENSE MUSIC)
(DEVICE BEEPS)
(PLAYERS YELL)
(ANIMATED MUSIC)
(PLAYERS CHEER)
Yes!
I got in!
- BATUL: To what?
- Design school.
(BATUL EXCLAIMS IN ARABIC)
Muslim girl, lefty college,
you were always gonna get in.
Be happy for me.
I am happy.
I'm truly happy for you.
Oh. Ah.
What a team.
HIND: So good you funded
the team, Dad.
Gives us all something
to gather around.
The mosque is where we gather.
Indeed.
However, the field is a place
to keep the body and mind fit
to best serve Allah.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
The team, it's a good idea.
Especially for those men
who might not usually
come to mosque.
I'm hearing concerns.
It's more the people
who gain from this are men.
Women also can enjoy football.
A few will enjoy watching,
but it's the men, they will
coach and cheer and play and
Yeah.
If you are to reshape
the community, Baba,
you need women.
They should more naturally
be your base anyway.
Aha.
Teach a woman, teach a nation.
Good, Toota.
You have been always able
to see the whole field,
not only the next play.
(BATUL CHUCKLES)
Perhaps I'll offer my services
to Coach Jabbar.
- (BOTH LAUGH)
- (DOOR OPENS)
That would be great
if that will keep you here.
- Maybe.
- When are you due to leave?
A week.
- So soon?
- Salaam alaykum.
- Alaykum as-salaam.
- The right hand appears.
I'm sorry I couldn't make it
to training.
I'll apologise to Coach Jabbar.
Baba's VP.
You need to be by his side.
So where were you?
He's busy.
He's working two jobs.
I have made him oversee
the upgrades at the mosque.
You are all go, son.
Go, go, go.
Nonstop.
ISA: It's how I was raised.
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD LAUGHS) OK, go.
What are you waiting for?
(LAUGHS)
- MAN: Hey.
- (GASPS)
- Ya Allah!
- Sorry, it's me.
Nadir, didn't your mum tell you
never to sneak up on girls?
Kitchen's closed.
Oh, no, actually
(SUBDUED PIANO MUSIC)
Does it hurt?
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
- HIND: Idiot.
- (BOTH LAUGH)
Aren't you on parole?
So what's it like
being the first daughter now?
Life-changing?
What?
With your dad.
Oh. Yeah.
It's not as glamorous
as I thought it would be.
NADIR: Yeah, but surely
it changes things.
I mean, you probably don't need
to keep working here.
Everyone will just
give you things for free now.
My dad wouldn't let me
take advantage of that.
Yeah.
Your dad's a righteous man.
(SCOFFS LIGHTLY)
NADIR: What?
I'm reserving judgement
until I see how he reacts
to me moving out.
Just look up for me.
Perfect.
Wallahi, I'm good.
No way your parole officer's
gonna even know
there was a bruise.
Trust me, it's not him
I'm worried about.
It's my mum.
Good thing
we're the same skin tone.
(SINGS ALONG) Boy, it's your
problem You're wasting my time
And I thought that I told you
I've made up my mind
- This is where you sing!
- I don't.
Not to this music.
(SIGHS) You're so pious now.
Come on, it's just you and me.
Feel the groove.
If the shoe don't fit,
then that's it
I don't need
a storyteller ♪
(REFLECTIVE MUSIC)
Oh!
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
You know, last time I tried
to do laps here
a guy swam up behind me,
grabbed my foot
and told me I was swimming
too slow.
You are pitifully slow.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(BOTH LAUGH)
Oh! You'll be in Iraq
this time next week.
Oh!
What?!
Psycho!
No! Oh! You're worse than a guy!
MAN: 110 for the prime movers.
Bit steep.
ISA: Mate, I'm already giving
you the best rates in the state.
- MAN: Can we settle on 100?
- ISA: 110.
MAN: You want to let
a huge contract slip
over, what, 10 bucks?
I could say the same to you.
Well, you take us on, it's
a big step up for you fellas.
I'm investing in a new crew,
I got a couple of new machines
coming in from the States.
Expanding, eh?
Who's backing you?
Financially?
ISA: So where do you want this,
Dad?
Ya Allah, ya Allah.
How can you be the pillar
beside your sheikh
if a bookcase defeats you, huh?
'Defeat's not part of my vocab.
But this is a bit too much
for this room, no?
Yeah, I think so.
Hey, the, um, speakers
are coming in today.
It's a sweet sound system.
Bass, boom.
Gives your sermons
an extra kick. You'll love it.
Ah, good! Good.
Dad
You know,
with the transformations,
the games room, the soccer team,
your school
- The community's school.
- Yeah, all that.
We, the community,
it takes money.
A lot of it.
What's more important than money
is control of the committee.
That's where things are decided.
Yeah, but with you as president,
me as your right hand,
Uncle Samir to your left,
that's three out of five votes
on the committee.
- The majority's ours, Dad.
- Mm.
You're still thinking of
asking Uncle Samir, right?
Yeah, sure.
ISA: Yeah.
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD AND MEN
EXCHANGE GREETINGS)
ISA: See,
with that kind of power,
Sheikh Shaaker
and that old geezer Abu Zuhayr,
they won't even dare whisper
against you.
OK.
There.
- Bookcase
- (DRILL WHIRRS NEARBY)
- Here.
- Yeah, perfect.
More people will see it
out here anyway.
Yeah.
It's like a
a reminder for people
that faith and knowledge
can work alongside each other.
Yes.
- Dad
- Mm-hm?
I support everything
you're doing,
but I don't want your dreams
to crash to earth
'cause of a lack of cash.
We need to plan. Turn donations
into a steady stream of income.
I spoke to a guy
- Mosque cannot make profits.
- No, it's not profits.
- It's haram.
- There's no interest.
See, you've got
a radical vision. So do I.
Think of it as you're offering
help to businesses
and then they donate
the money back.
It's win-win.
And I'll manage it as your VP.
Otherwise
Huh?
Please, at least think about it.
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD AND MEN
EXCHANGE FAREWELLS)
But that's the thing,
it's not discriminatory.
Having a women's-only pool hour
is an equity issue.
We think the pool is this open,
neutral space, right?
But it's full of restrictions.
Lap swimmers only.
Or kids' area,
where we accept those, right?
It's like Baba says,
it's the difference between
enforced secularity
and pluralism.
A mature society
doesn't impose its ideology
on everyone,
but instead it should
accommodate the needs
of all the communities,
you know?
- (PHONE RINGS)
- (JAMILA LAUGHS)
Oh, it's Bilal.
Wait!
Bilal, hello.
- BILAL: Um
- Don't you recognise my voice?
Bilal, I'm with Jamila.
- (BILAL LAUGHS) Oh, Jamila.
- I'm leading your wife astray.
BILAL: Oh! Well,
you'll have to tell me how,
because she's
so well behaved with me.
- OK, well, first.
- BATUL: Hey!
Bilal, I'll call you later.
BILAL: OK, habibti, please do.
Bisous.
Ciao.
Bisous? (LAUGHS)
How you have changed!
I have not!
Honey, you were all, what,
study, work, party hardest.
Men were for one thing,
one thing only.
(LAUGHS)
You're so loved up now.
It induces reflux.
He is the love my life.
I just hadn't met him yet.
No, you hadn't.
But you had, um, Kevin.
And Jax.
And remember, bib,
remember lovesick Trevor?
(BOTH LAUGH)
Oh! Trevor,
he tried to learn Arabic.
Ya Rabbi, that was another age.
Oh!
Remember this?
Hijab for Allah,
tits for Abdullah.
Thankfully, those days are over.
We're older and we're wiser.
We have our own houses
and our own beds.
And husbands.
Thanks for this.
It was good to get out.
But it's time to return
to reality.
Is everything OK?
Hm?
- With Aqil?
- Yeah.
Course.
I mean, we're not sending
kisses over the phone.
Hey!
Well, he's not like Bilal.
He wouldn't be letting me fly
halfway across the world.
Not all of us have husbands
who see us as equal.
It never seemed like that.
Mm.
Age. Dad's influence.
It's made him more conservative.
Ever since Yusuf, you know?
He doesn't want me
out and about.
But you never said anything.
I'm a big girl.
He's who I chose.
Come here.
JAMILA: Hm!
(PENSIVE MUSIC)
(PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BILAL SPEAKS ARABIC)
It was just easier.
Oh
BILAL:
(SIGHS)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Toota?
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD:
BILAL:
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD:
BILAL:
(LAUGHS)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD:
BILAL:
BILAL:
Batul?
BILAL:
(PENSIVE MUSIC)
(WHISPERS)
(ARABIC VOCAL MUSIC PLAYS)
(MEN SPEAK ARABIC)
Abu Laith, you had him anyway.
ISA: Abu Zuhayr, it's OK.
Uncle Samir will advise
Hajj Sajjad also, so it's fair.
Huh?
Here he is,
the prince of Fairfield,
dispensing rulings and justice.
I was hoping
we could do that together,
'cause Dad, uh
..Sheikh Mohammad
would like to nominate you
for the community seat
on the committee.
Why are you stunned?
You're a legend, Uncle Samir.
Everybody loves you,
everybody respects you
That position is not for me,
youngster.
You're fit and healthy,
especially for an elder.
No.
Aamu Samir, Dad needs you!
Wasn't it your dream
when you busted out of prison
to build something together?
I've worked hard to find
a peaceful equilibrium.
A mosque is no place for me.
Your father knows that
very well.
- Aamu Samir
- Isa.
You shouldn't have done this.
(DICE RATTLE AND ROLL)
(MEN CHATTER IN ARABIC)
He talks like we are running
a bank, not a mosque.
Has no interest in my vision
for the community.
What do you mean, like a bank?
He has an idea
to invest the mosque's money.
But that's not halal.
I know your brother,
his mind gets ahead of him.
I understand that.
But
..to even suggest this
(SIGHS)
I'm overreacting, yeah?
No!
No, you're about
engaging people.
Welcoming them.
Making them think about
their choices.
How to implement Allah's words
in our lives.
Not money.
Isa needs to understand that.
What would you do
in my position?
Remember, leaders lead.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Trust yourself.
Yes, this is good.
Put it inside
where everyone can see it, huh?
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Thank you.
SAMIR: Hammad!
Hmm?
I might not hold the same faith
as my husband-to-be,
but faith is central
to the both of us,
and my husband's faith,
his devotion to it,
it's a big part
of why I love him.
I'm sorry for the delay.
My son is meant to be here
as a witness.
We have our friend Faris.
Yes, but we need another man.
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD
SINGS IN ARABIC)
Repeat after me, please.
(IN ARABIC)
(REPEATS PHRASES)
(SHEIKH MOHAMMAD SPEAKS
AND MAN REPEATS PHRASE)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD:
(PENSIVE MUSIC)
So much for trusting
in your friends.
He refused?
(OM JAMILA SPEAKS ARABIC)
I was told Isa snuck out.
It was a no for all to see.
At least now Sheikh Al-Hamedi
will have to choose a man
who respects Islam.
(WOOD SPLINTERS)
Get your own man
in that community seat,
you truly control the mosque.
You just need someone
who will work with you.
I need a man who will sit by me
like a rock.
Abu Hany?
Sheikna, I'm a butcher.
The people, they don't
think of me in that way.
I think of you in that way.
AQIL: Abu Hany's right.
Someone from
a younger generation
will draw more support.
OM JAMILA:
(ARABIC VOCAL MUSIC PLAYS)
(SIGHS)
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
SAMIR: Toota! (SPEAKS ARABIC)
Hello, Aamu.
Hello, Toota!
I've missed you. (SPEAKS ARABIC)
BATUL: Oh! (CONTINUES IN ARABIC)
(SAMIR LAUGHS)
I'm sorry my brother
embarrassed you.
He shouldn't have.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
He should know who you are.
A man of principles.
Even if they're not mine,
or Allah's.
I know the committee is vital to
make your father's plans real.
I did not take my decision
without thought.
Mm.
Hm.
How is life, Toota?
- Good.
- I've missed our conversations.
It's good, alhamdulillah.
- Mm.
- Come on, tell me.
Don't hide from Aamu Samir.
I miss being here.
Sydney's your home.
I never realised just how much.
After Mamma died,
I just couldn't handle
being in that house.
You were in love.
It was selfish.
Maybe grief made me that way,
I don't know.
Youth should not be trapped
in loss.
It is not the natural way.
But I turned my back
on my duties.
And for what did I run, hm?
To make a home over there?
Make a family?
Bilal wants a child.
Of his blood.
It's what we planned.
You can't have children?
I haven't had children yet.
Who knows what Allah
wills for me in the future?
Have you become a child?
Where is your logical mind?
Has the praying washed it away?
Allah is with you too, Aamu.
No, Toota, think, think!
Take off this cloth
and let air get into your brain!
There are so many times
..too many, where Allah is gone.
Where is he when war rages?
When famine comes?
Or even in the prison cells
in Iraq, hm? Where?
You got out of there.
Baba too.
Seven. Seven of us made it out.
Of over 90. And not
because of Allah, no.
How could you say that?
Baba prayed.
So naive.
Everyone prayed.
But it was no prayer
that saved us.
It was me.
I gave them names.
I betrayed friends.
That was my salvation.
You did it to protect others.
I did it
because I wanted to live.
I wanted Mohammad to live.
(TEARFULLY) There was
no other reason.
(POIGNANT MUSIC)
Baba, does he know?
It would break his heart.
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD:
Yes, sister, yes.
Sounds like
your son is gambling,
and it's haram.
Yeah.
Yeah. Maybe first
he should seek therapy.
OK. Come to me, to my office,
tomorrow.
Both of you. Inshallah.
Inshallah.
God be with you.
As-salaam.
(BOTH SPEAK ARABIC)
Dad, I was wondering
if you gave my idea
any more thought.
I'll guarantee you'll make money
without any haram interest
or none of that.
So.
No "Sorry I didn't come
to witness the marriage,
"sorry I keep meeting people
behind your back"?
Uncle Samir isn't people.
But I'm sorry
for the other thing.
I
I should have been there.
(UNEASY MUSIC)
(DOOR SQUEAKS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
HIND: As-salaamu alaykum.
Alaykum as-salaam
(CONTINUES IN ARABIC)
Who do you like the most
of the people we know?
The men.
Exclude me, your brother
and Uncle Samir.
I have a lot to think about
with college and my career
at the moment.
I'm not talking about marriage.
(HIND SIGHS WITH RELIEF)
Who should I pick
for the community seat?
I was thinking Abu Laith.
HIND: He's the biggest gossip
in the community.
Why don't you want Uncle Samir
anymore?
'Cause he doesn't want to do it.
This is why I am asking.
(SIGHS)
Coach Jabbar.
Ah!
Interesting.
'Genius' is what you meant
to say.
People love him.
And he loves you.
Good.
Dad, invite him over for tea.
- Woo him a little.
- (CHUCKLES)
And Isa should come too.
(POURS WATER) United front.
Good idea. Genius.
What do you know about wooing?
- Wooing?
- Mm-hm.
Me? Nothing!
Better not to be a-wooing.
A-woo!
- A-woo!
- (LAUGHS)
- Woo, woo, woo!
- A-woo!
Woo!
(AIRY MUSIC)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Mm!
What a smell to wake up to.
- HIND: You hungry?
- SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Mm-hm.
Remember when your mum banned us
from having eggs?
BATUL: She banned you.
- (SPEAKS ARABIC)
- (BATUL CHUCKLES)
- Baba
- Mm-hm?
You know how we talked about
me moving out?
I found a place.
Close to college, just for
during the week, with Manal.
Move out?
You did.
BATUL: It'd be a scandal.
- Habibti
- Dad agreed.
Not now.
Later.
Later in my term.
OK, so supporting women,
you preach it,
but you don't practise it.
Ya Allah!
(HIND SIGHS)
I support you!
You live here rent free.
Like that you change your mind.
- Seriously?
- I said I would consider it.
Baba could pay for parking
so you can drive in and out
instead of taking the trains.
Go back to Iraq, Batul.
- Mess up people's lives there.
- Hind!
(CHUCKLES)
It's OK, Baba.
Grow up, Hind.
Appearance matters.
Stay here. It's your duty.
I stayed here. I did my duty.
Where were you?
(DEVICE BEEPS, MACHINERY WHIRRS)
Fuck!
Yeah, I'm pretty sure
it's the motor.
So how much for a new one?
30 grand?
Is there, like, another option
or
Yeah, apart from closing down
my business, smart-arse.
Yeah, it better include
a decent warranty.
Marwan, there's been a mix-up.
Have you transferred the money?
Yes.
All of it?
ISA:
Sorry. Not your fault.
Do you want a cold drink?
Do you have blueberries?
MARWAN: They're hard to find,
sister. You know, the floods.
Sorry.
Oh.
- Hi.
- Hey, Jamila.
I'm sorry your dad didn't win.
But also you're not sorry.
(CHUCKLES)
Yusuf woke up and decided
he'll only eat blue food today.
Habibi.
We have plums.
Isa, God will replace
your generosity
and fix this mix-up.
You've just got to think of all
the orphans that you're helping.
Charity I'm donating to.
That's nice.
Hey, try the kalamata olives.
They're kinda blue.
Kinda.
WOMAN: Thank you.
Same?
Yes, thanks.
May Allah's blessings
be with you.
Don't forget our hardworking
and generous Abu Hany
is seeking to represent
our voices at the mosque.
I'll remember
and tell my family.
- Salaam alaykum.
- Wa-alaykum as-salaam.
You're having a sale on meat.
To celebrate my running
for the mosque community seat.
Oh, you are.
It is his right to do so.
Of course. Yeah.
(ABU HANY SPEAKS ARABIC)
(RESPONDS IN ARABIC)
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD: Where is Isa?
Isn't Jabbar his friend?
He should be here to greet him.
- Shameful.
- He hasn't forgotten.
(DOOR UNLOCKS)
(BREATHES UNEVENLY)
How do you think
you will go this year?
Plenty of goals?
This season
is not just about winning games.
That will come.
You want to create
a solid base of skills.
You must marinate
the meat first.
- You are friends with my son.
- (PHONE CHIMES)
We knew each other a bit
from school.
Is he working?
- He must be.
- (PHONE CHIMES)
Excuse me for a moment.
(PHONE CHIMES TWICE)
(PHONE CHIMES)
- (ARABIC MUSIC PLAYS)
- REVELLERS: Hey, hey, hey!
MAN: Hey, what's your problem?
NADIR: Oi, oi!
- (PUNCHES LAND)
- MAN: Hey!
(VIDEO STOPS)
(SPARSE MUSIC)
(PHONE RINGS)
(VELCRO RIPS)
(KEYPAD BEEPS)
(PRESSES KEYS)
(KEYPAD BEEPS)
(UNEASY MUSIC)
No, shukran.
JABBAR: You're a good man,
Sheikh.
A good leader.
You see our skills
and our limits.
It's like you're a coach
but for all of us.
Thank you for this opportunity.
I'm sorry, I have to go.
A team meeting?
About one of our new players.
He's so gifted, Sheikh.
He glides.
A Mo Salah in making.
JABBAR: Yes.
He's Sunni.
So?
What would our community say?
I mean, we are
an all-Shiite team.
Tonight is to talk about
unregistering him.
You are talking about
a Muslim boy, aren't you?
Not everyone sees it that way,
Sheikh.
Our Iraqi national team
is and has always been
blessed by
different ethnicities and sects.
It is inclusive.
This is Sydney
and it is not inclusive.
Mmm.
JABBAR: Surely
this is my decision.
(SIGHS)
A coach should be out front,
leading his community
and not following its prejudice.
I don't see it that way, Sheikh.
With respect.
Mmm.
OK.
I won't keep you any longer.
ISA: Dad, I got held up.
That's the truth.
But Coach Jabbar
Is not the man for me.
And I'm not sure you are either.
- Hey, what's your problem?
- Look.
NADIR: Oi, oi!
- (PUNCHES LAND)
- MAN: Hey!
Nadir and I were at the wrong
place at the wrong time.
Exactly.
The guy attacked us.
We were just getting kababs.
And tonight, you were
getting kababs too?
And drinking poison?
- Uncle Samir drinks
- Uncle Samir is not my son!
He does not live under my roof!
I said I'm sorry.
What good your 'sorry' to me?
Everyone will see it now.
And I am to appoint you a VP?
It wasn't my fault.
(SPEAKS ARABIC) Nadir
Nadir is a known criminal.
You should be leading him!
(DOG BARKS NEARBY)
(SPARSE MUSIC)
- Salaam alaykum.
- Alaykum salaam.
(SPARSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SHUTS OFF WATER)
Aamu, there's no other option.
- Baba needs you.
- I can't.
You must find a way.
I told you,
I don't want forgiveness.
That's not what
I'm saying at all!
I'm saying if you don't do this,
you're a coward.
And you'll be failing the young.
- Batul! How dare you!
- People like Hind.
Without you, it will be Abu Hany
and Baba will be neutered
before he's even started.
People won't support Abu Hany.
BATUL: It won't matter
if he's the only one running.
Your father hasn't asked
someone else?
Aamu, Baba's not after your
soul. It's one night a month.
You could do this.
When we came to Australia
and I was
..spat at and teased,
and I told you
I wanted to go back to Iraq
..you said being here
would be better for us.
I just had to trust
and suffer a little.
You went back to Iraq.
And in some ways,
life was better.
But in others, it's better here.
You were right.
The difference is
with what Baba wants to do,
we can make it better still.
You can make sure of it.
You are your father's daughter.
You'll do it?
You'll stand on the committee?
People know I am not a follower.
People care more about
how they're treated
and you treat all of us well.
You've become
the quite convincing woman.
Batul,
I can't stand under the dome
and interfere with faith
when I have none.
It would be a betrayal
of your father again.
I could not survive.
You could.
And you will.
'Cause Aamu
..the past has
a way of resurfacing.
On the committee,
you will serve Allah.
Everyone will know that.
And just that.
(TROUBLING MUSIC)
ISA: We've got plenty of
storage anyway.
And if we buy a 3-month supply,
then they'll give us
a 30% discount.
Ah, Batul.
Um, Dad and I have a bit of work
to do, so
BATUL: I did it.
I convinced Aamu Samir
to stand with you
and take the community seat.
He said yes.
You can rule as you wish.
- How?
- It means that much to you?
You mean that much.
What did you say to him?
She did it!
The committee is saved.
That's what matters.
Yeah, we just wanna know
what you said to him
to get him to change his mind.
In case he ever
disagrees with us, you know?
No, Baba, I'll tell him.
Aamu Samir was reluctant.
Concerned about his weakness.
And I told him he couldn't
ignore that.
However,
I simply explained the reality
of what life would be like
if the wrong person was elected
to the committee
and the future
you promised the community,
if that couldn't happen.
After that
..his conscience persuaded him.
(CHUCKLES) That's my girl!
BATUL: Baba.
I should be your VP.
- What?
- (ISA LAUGHS)
(SCOFFS)
The vision Allah has given you
requires tact and audacity.
Be true to who Allah made you.
Isa cannot serve you
as you need.
Hang on. Wait.
No way.
No-one's gonna go for this, Dad.
We we've never had
a female VP.
- Besides
- BATUL: Hmm?
I'm your right hand. I've always
been your right hand.
BATUL: You're a great
businessman, brother.
But leading is different to
making money. It's harder.
Don't talk to me about hardship.
This isn't personal, Isa.
It's about Baba's legacy.
The change only he can bring
and how to serve that best.
Well, yeah.
BATUL: Shoot for the stars.
Appointing me will show everyone
you practise as you preach.
- ISA: You don't even live here.
- Isa.
I can stay as long as
you want me.
Bilal?
He believes in you, as I do.
Plus, if I don't
live up to the role,
the committee can vote me out.
(SPEAKS ARABIC)
Sheikh Shaaker, the elders,
they'll never allow it.
The Grand Clerics,
you know what they're gonna say?
Your tenacity will be respected.
You, me, Aamu Samir.
The majority is ours.
We go big not just in our minds
but with everyone.
(SCREAMS THROUGH GRITTED TEETH)
BATUL: Isa?
Baba is not an idiot.
I gave him an option.
He was appointed by our leaders
and they want him to lead.
(SPEAKS ARABIC) Isa.
A good leader transforms
potential into reality.
Trust in me.
- (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
- (PEOPLE CHATTER INDISTINCTLY)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MEN CHATTER INDISTINCTLY)
(ABU ZUHAYR SPEAKS ARABIC)
(CHUCKLES)
(PEOPLE APPLAUD)
My friend, together
we'll do great things.
Batul.
Come, please.
And tonight,
I'm delighted to announce
a step in us
practising and living
the inclusivity of Islam.
To serve as vice-president
..Mrs Batul Al-Hamedi.
(PEOPLE GASP AND MURMUR)
- What?
- What's going on?
MAN:
Salawat!
(PEOPLE CHANT IN ARABIC)
Good.
(WATER SPLASHES)
(WOMEN CHATTER HAPPILY)
It's not a private pool.
Bloody well done,
Madam Vice-President.
It was Baba's doing, really.
Oh, my God, the modesty.
He picked you for a reason.
Yalla.
(WOMEN LAUGH AND CHATTER
HAPPILY)
(GENTLE MUSIC)