01x01 - Dining With the Wolves

[bunniefuu]

[ISLAMIC CALL TO PRAYER
PLAYS ON PHONE]

Prayer break, boys!

Sorry, cuz, I can't pray -
my hangover's a bit unholy.

God already knows what you're
praying for today, huh?

What? Blessing me with wiser friends?

[PRAYS QUIETLY IN ARABIC]

[PRAYS IN ARABIC]

Imagine it - you win tonight,
and then people ask,

"Is Sheikh Mohammad really
any different from the others?"

Then someone says,

"Oh, did you hear that
his unmarried daughter moved out

"and is living with friends?

"Sheikh Mohammad must be
who they say he is."

Allahu akbar.

Can we discuss this after?

You say "Allahu akbar"
when the answer's no.

No.

I say "inshallah"
when the answer is no.

[WOMAN LAUGHS]

[CAMERA CLICKS]
It's mad.

Looking good.

Don't.
I'm taking a selfie. It's fine.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Oh, my God. Did he see?

Did he see you?
It's fine.

Dad, leave them. They're idiots.

[WOMEN CHATTER AND LAUGH]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Oh, no.
Oh, my God, I hate you.

Permit me.

Sorry, we didn't mean to...

This is not my best side.

Go.

[WOMEN LAUGH]

Can we... can we take a photo
with you?

OK.
Yeah? Oh, my God.

Get in, get in.

Yeah.

[CAMERA CLICKS]
This is for your Instagram story?

Yeah. We've never seen...
this before.

[LAUGHS]

You can call me "this",
but my name is Mohammad.

Mohammad.

[CAMERA CLICKS]
Thank you. OK.

Oh, you're such a charmer!
That's fine.

Oh.
Oh...! [LAUGHS]

Thanks. [LAUGHS]

Don't! That's not funny!

If you are still curious about this,

The Messenger mosque, Fairfield.

Sure.
Bye, Mohammad.

Cuz.
Yo.

You're up for leading your own crew?

I'm looking at a new site
the other side of the harbour.

Mega fleet.

We're expanding, baby!

Expanding? Cuz, you can barely
keep this site afloat.

Yeah, but after tonight...

...zzzzhhhh!

Son of a cleric
gonna become a prince, huh?

[LAUGHS] Yeah.
Huh?

[MAN AND WOMAN SPEAK ARABIC
OVER SPEAKER]

[SIGHS]
You'll be great.

I have been thinking
about what you asked.

Yes.

I will tonight...

...will talk about you moving out.

[GASPS]

But there will be rules,

and not the kind you break.

[SQUEALS]
[CHUCKLES]

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hamedi,

you must be feeling confident.

There's this mood for change
in the air.

Do you think you'll be
in luck tonight?

Am I speaking to the next
head cleric of The Messenger mosque?

If I'm elected tonight,

it will be because
the honourable clergy in Iraq,

having read my thesis
and plans about the community,

have chosen me.

Then why you, Sheikh Mohammad?

Why now?

I have a vision of inclusivity

and, dare I use
another buzzword, unity.

I want to welcome all people
from my community.

The mosque needn't be only
a place of worship,

but one of celebration
of culture, arts, sports.

I wish to make it...

...a home, for people to belong.

Cuz! The old man's k*lling it.

[ON RADIO]
So, as many of you would know...

Yeah.

...the votes have come from the
clerics in Iraq in sealed envelopes

and the winner
will be announced tonight.

And it's common knowledge
that you're the favourite.

Sheikh Mohammad, if you win,
will one of your big plans include

building the first full-time
Iraqi school in Australia?

Education is
the most important investment

we can make for our society.

As it is in the Holy Quran...

On the sides?

[MUDDLE-EASTERN POP MUSIC
PLAYS ON RADIO]

Salaam alaikum, Sheikh.

Alaikum salaam.

OTHERS: Salaam alaikum.

Please.

[ON RADIO] Tonight
they will announce

who is the next head cleric
of The Messenger mosque.

We're here with Sheikh Mohammad
Al-Hamedi, one of the candidates.

Election night special?

What does that even mean?

Just give me the usual.

Sheikh Mohammad,
your rival, Sheikh Shaaker,

he says that the community
needs a larger mosque first.

What do you say to that?
[CHUCKLES]

Rival? I wouldn't call
Sheikh Shaaker a rival.

We are merely temporary opponents.

Sheikh Al-Hamedi, would you say
your community is ready for an...

...updated version of Islam?

Islam is not a software.

It doesn't require updates.

Nonetheless, it's always in need
of change to adapt to the times,

the particular space
and culture it is in.

OK, then, would you say

Islam should, to use your word,
adapt its code

when it comes to contact
between males and females

outside of marriage?

No.

Because there's a photo of you
being kissed by a young woman.

That is you, isn't it?

I'm showing Sheikh Mohammad a photo

that was sent to us
by one of our listeners today.

Clearly, that was a situation

where the answer lies
within the context.

So, a woman CAN kiss a man
if the context is right?

Because that sounds like
a big change.

I'm not saying that.

It... it was all light-hearted,
all in the spirit of the moment.

Are you saying what is halal, haram,
what's permitted, what is a sin,

this all comes down
to the spirit of a moment?

Allah Almighty...

...judges us on our intentions,
not only our actions.

Sheikh Al-Hamedi, I'm just trying
to get my head around this.

A woman can kiss a man if...

...her intentions are pure?

Because I'm sure
a lot of parents listening,

they'd be really interested
to hear this.

And your own daughter -
she's here in the studio -

do you give her a licence to decide
in which context she can kiss a boy?

Do you still feel confident,
Sheikh Al-Hamedi,

or has this kiss cost you
your election tonight?

Cuz, people know your dad.
They know he's not sinful.

You know, it was just
you and him, other than Mum,

who ever done anything for me.

That's it.

[LINE RINGS]

Uncle Samir.

I need a solid.

Thanks for coming.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Salaam alaikum, Sheikh.
Alaikum salaam.

[MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC PLAYS]

Salaam alaikum.
MAN: Hello, Sheikh!

We heard you on the radio
this morning.

[SPEAKS ARABIC] It's about time
somebody cut us some slack.

You know how it is -

some of the girls,
they watch us play, we score a goal,

they want a high five,
hug, all that.

Not a sin!

Bye, Sheikh.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Mmm.

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

[MEN LAUGH]

Salaam alaikum.

Alaikum salaam.

[SIGHS]

Ha.

Abu Zuhayr?

[MUTTERS]

Go to the halal butcher shop
up the road.

Do you see a sign on my shop
that says "Adulterers welcome"?

But, Sheikh Shaaker,
I always buy my meat from here.

Not anymore.

Inshallah it gets back to the clergy

that some of us still hold on
to our religious values.

Yes, please.

[MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC PLAYS]

Salaam alaikum.

[MUSIC CONTINUES IN DISTANCE]

Salaam alaikum.
ALL: Alaikum salaam!

Uncle Samir.

Nah, keep going, Uncle.

Write, "Dad,
congratulations on losing."

You heard the interview.

Dad hasn't lost yet.

Here.

This is where our friend's staying.

He has the votes.

Seyyed Modhaffar.

That's a posh hotel.

What do you plan to say?
Not me - Dad.

He has to explain things.

Your father won't apologise.

He's too stubborn.

Although, he will call
this stubbornness "principles".

Yeah, Dad's a tactician.

He can talk a fish out of swimming.

Seyyed Modhaffar is a shark, Isa.

So, what, you want me to drop it?

Uncle, this affects us all.

Or do you want to live
under Sheikh Shaaker's rule?

I'm not part of your mosque anymore.

So I live under no-one's rule.

If you want to waste your time
trying to convince your father,

go to Zuhayr's barber shop.

What's he doing there?

Having a polite discussion.

[MEN ARGUE IN ARABIC]

Salaam alaikum!

Huh?
Alaikum salaam.

It's all fine.

We were discussing theology.

Our friend's worried

their children might take
something I said the wrong way.

I heard you on the radio.

You think you can act like Rambo?

If the barber shop's
reacting like that,

how do you think the clergy will be?

[SPEAKS ARABIC] The votes are sealed.

Eh... They'll get unsealed
as soon as word gets back to Iraq!

I got hold of
Seyyed Modhaffar's address.

Please, let's go and see him,

contain this fire
before it blows up.

This fire will only rage
if I meet with him.

If the Grand Clerics have elected me,

it will be on the merits
of my years of work, my principles,

not simply one moment
in an interview.

That was before the photo
of you being kissed!

Why take the risk?

He's the official representative
of the clerics.

Just go see him!

Why the sudden appetite
to dine with the wolves?

Dad...

...you're a leader, and I'm a dealer,
and this is who we are.

We survive. We do.

And what I want
is to see you as leader!

Why fight your DNA?

Just go see him.

I mean, don't you always say
we must write our own destiny?

What is written has been written.

The rest we leave
in the hands of the Creator.

But, Dad...

Neither one of us will add
another word to this discussion.

[VEHICLE APPROACHES]

Who's that?

[GASPS, SPEAKS ARABIC]

[EXCLAIMS IN ARABIC]
[LAUGHS]

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

Ah! Baba, I missed your scent.

Why didn't you tell us?
We could have come and picked you up.

No! I didn't want you to.

You have so much on today.

Batul!

What the f*ck are you doing here?

Mm. [SPEAKS ARABIC]

Oh! What's, uh, with the get-up?

You like it? I have a matching set.

Nah, I just thought
it's show-and-tell for,

"I've been living in Iraq."

[SPEAKS ARABIC] Help your sister.

Bilal's not joining us?

New contract.

Ooh! You wouldn't believe
how many bridges need repairing.

I do believe it. I know Baghdad.

Settle in, have some rest.

Your room's still where it was.

You want a drink or something?
Nah, it's fine.

So happy you are here.

Looks like Hind has
taken over the lounge room.

[SPEAKS ARABIC]
[GLASS SMASHES]

Aagh! Yalla!

[ENGINE REVS]

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

MAN: Hey! Hey!

[UPBEAT ARABIC POP MUSIC PLAYS]

Oh, hey! Look, I'm...
I'm sorry about before.

I didn't mean to bring you into it,

but it's good to see you
in the flesh.

Hind Al-Hamedi.
I-I follow you on Instagram.

You almost make me want
to wear a hijab.

And your father earlier,
such great talent.

I'd love to have him back on again.

I need you to take it down.

The interview.

You got your big expose.
Time to delete it.

I can't do that. I can't.

My father believes in
open conversation, alright?

Not fear, not outrage.

He's trying to make everyone
feel welcome,

everyone that's felt excluded
before,

and your little stunt
might stop that from happening.

The sheikh knew exactly
what he was saying.

I'm sorry, but the story stays live.

I just heard about a woman,
yeah, a divorced woman,

who was refused service at a butcher
shop because, according to the owner,

my father's rival, Sheikh Shaaker,

she's an adulterer.

That's the world my father's
trying to change.

Take it down. Please.

I have to settle this.

What is he talking about?

Meet the elders,
hear their demands.

Dad was kissed by some chick today.

A woman.

She was being friendly.

It's not how it sounds.

Let's take this out.

What was Baba thinking?

Shh, shh, shh, shh.

Hey, I need you to talk to him.

He listens to you.

Seyyed Modhaffar,
the guy with the votes, is in town,

but Dad won't meet with him.

It's not just about the votes.

He has to condemn this
in front of the whole community.

No wonder they're angry.

What's he done, exactly?

Apart from sin?

Forget the election.

It won't matter if the community
doesn't trust him.

You think you can disappear
for three years

and return as some kind of saint?

Excuse me?

OK.

The community matters.

But first, he has to meet
with Seyyed Modhaffar.

Wow.

You really want to be Baba's VP?

I want Dad to win.

Sure you do.

You're not interested in the
attention it will get you, at all.

Attention.
Mm.

Isn't that why you're really here?

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[MAN SPEAKS ARABIC IN BACKGROUND]

[LIFT BELL DINGS]

Aha!

Grown so much.

Beautiful.

You know what the Tribal Council
will demand.

Just say you were wrong.

They'll understand. You're human.

And what if I don't think I'm wrong?

Baba, the elders can influence
the entire community

to pray behind you
or take them away from you.

Only Allah can give
and only Allah can take away.

I appreciate how devoted
Iraq has made you, but...

...we are in Australia now.

Yet you're going to a Tribal Council.

Baba,

you can have modern interpretations
of Islam without reinventing it.

And what if I am?

Then you can't walk all over
what's sacred to people.

[PHONE VIBRATES]

Salaam alaikum.

[PHONE VIBRATES]

Oh, hey, Dad.
I'm on my way to the Tribal Council.

I'll meet you there.

[ON PHONE] Didn't I tell you
not to go to Seyyed Modhaffar?

Drop whatever you're doing
and come take me to him now!

f*ck!

[PRESSES LIFT BUTTON]

I'm sorry, Dad.

Did you ever ask yourself,

how does a humble representative
of the clergy

can afford designer clothing?

Why does he command a personal
militia of 1,000 soldiers?

He's not a game to play, Isa.

[LIFT BELL DINGS]

Habibi, move that over there.

It's a better position for you.

[GAME BLEEPS]
You see?

WOMAN: Yusuf?

I know I have offended many
with my actions...

...especially our valued elders.

Offended, Sheikhna?

We are talking about a leader
committing and condoning a sin.

The way I handled the issue
lacked the courtesy that you deserve.

And for that, I apologise.

We are not here to judge
your character, Sheikhna,

but we are questioning your actions,

actions that were clearly
motivated by Satan.

Remember, a wrong only becomes
a wrong when it is not righted.

I know I have been summoned
to denounce my actions,

my actions, which are an extension
of my beliefs,

my beliefs, which in turn
are an extension of my character.

Prophet Muhammad,
peace be upon him...

[OTHERS RESPOND IN ARABIC]

...started his message in Arabia
at a time of brutal cruelty.

Men were burying their daughters
alive.

He was a beacon of light
in the dark desert,

at a time when men ruled
with their gaze...

...and let me put it to you

that today,

the same gaze is causing us

to decide how male and female
should interact.

Yes. I did not
back away from the kiss...

...but are you suggesting that

men and women
cannot control themselves

in a friendly, open environment?

With respect, Sheikhna,

you cannot be issuing
your own edicts

until you become a grand cleric.

[LAUGHS]

You mean,

you mean that you will be OK
with my actions

if I was a grand cleric?

What I am saying is that you cannot
treat religion like a supermarket,

where you pick and choose
whatever Quranic verses you like.

Ah!

Religion is about turning
congregation members

away from our shops, yeah?

Seems that we are stuck
with black and white...

...when our religion
is full of colours.

What next, Sheikhna?

We wave the pride flag?

[THEY ARGUE IN ARABIC]

Sheikh Shaaker,

we both took part in the intifada.

You and I know

what it is like
to fight for our beliefs.

And now, while it's no longer
a fight against the dictator,

we still must not give up
on what we stand for.

[HOOKAH BUBBLES]

[WHISPERS] Baba, Widad is here.
She wants to speak to you.

It's the one I was telling you about.

Ah. Mm.

Hm.

Salaam alaikum.
Wa alaikum assalam.

Are you OK?

Tell me, sister, what happened?

I admit...

...I have sinned...

...and God knows that I've repented.

But Sheikh Shaaker wants to
banish me from the mosque.

Community's all I have, Sheikhna.

[HE REPLIES IN ARABIC]

[THEY CONVERSE IN ARABIC]

Still saying no to a bit of this?

Is this one of yours?

You like it?

Mm. It's beautiful.

Proudly designed in-house.

Fabric imported from Kuwait.

But made in China.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Mo?

Why don't you go back to uni?

Maybe do a business degree this time.

[QUIETLY] And finish it.

What, do you think I'm planning to
be a waitress the rest of my life?

I'm only saying,
you should just think about...

I don't need life lessons
from the absent daughter, thanks.

I got married.

Yeah, and packed up and left
as soon as Mum was buried.

Left Dad alone.

He had you and Asa.

Then you left us all.

Do you think that guy from Iraq's
already called the big clerics?

Either way, Baba's done.

He didn't support the community.

Still, I'm proud of him.

Wow! [CHUCKLES]

Are we ready?

Well, it has been
a very colourful day,

but still, the night is upon us.

I want you to enjoy the journey

and just let it happen.

Abu,

are you frozen up there?

Come join us.

Yalla.

Whatever happen tonight...

...I'm already a winner.

On three.

Al-Hamedi family, ready?

One, two, three!

ALL: Al-Hamedi family!

Yes!

Yalla. Let's go.

I'll catch you up later, Dad.

Um, can't leave the house
with a broken window.

Don't be late.

No more work, huh?

[DOOR OPENS]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Yeah, pull it up a bit.

Here?
Yeah.

Uh, a bit down.

[SHOUTS IN ARABIC]

[ALL CHANT GREETINGS]

[FURTHER CHANTED GREETINGS]

Is Seyyed Modhaffar
running on Iraqi time?

All the best for tonight, Chief.

And you too, Sheikhna.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER]

Oh!
No way!

No way!

[WOMEN LAUGH]
Of course! Why wouldn't she?

Hello.
You look amazing!

Hi!

It's been a long time!

Welcome!

As-salamu alaikum.

Alaikum salaam.

MAN: And I am proud at how,



our numbers have doubled.

[MAN CALLS OUT IN ARABIC]

[ALL RESPOND IN ARABIC]

Whilst we wait for
our esteemed guest,

Sheikh Mohammad has requested
a few words.

[INDISTINCT MUTTERINGS]

Brothers,

and sisters...

...salaam alaikum.

ALL: Wa alaikum salaam.

First...

...I would like to thank Seyyed Javad

for his near decade service.

As an Iranian,

he dealt with our Iraqi community
with patience.

[LAUGHTER]

God knows we can be a handful.

[LAUGHTER]

Islam teaches us

to adapt and live with the times,

to grow and change.

We must not fear it.

I spent the day
listening to your concerns

and thinking of my part in them.

[DOOR OPENS]

So,

I too want to embrace the change.

Today,

I allowed myself to be kissed
by a woman.

[GASPING, MUTTERING]

I examined my intentions

and it was not acceptable.

It was haram.

[INDISTINCT MUTTERING]

Islam is about peace and unity.

I cannot allow what I did
to divide us.

We can respect others' cultures
without adopting them.

We can be proud of our new home,

but still proud of who we are.

Sheikh Shaaker and I
serve one creator...

...and despite the differences
between us,

the community
is our first responsibility.

So,

if by a miracle I win tonight...

...I vow to be a leader
for you all.

Those who agree with me...

...and those who don't.

Inshallah.

CONGREGATION: Inshallah.

[SPEAKS IN ARABIC]

[ALL RESPOND IN ARABIC]

As-salamu alaikum.

[ALL RESPOND IN ARABIC]

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

Oh!

Isa.

Jamila.

It all gets a bit too noisy
in there for us.

Yeah.

Hey, Yusuf! Buddy boy.

You like those headphones?

Actually, I'm out here 'cause, um,

I can't stand the noise in there
too.

Oh, now you can't hear a thing!

[CHUCKLES]

You OK?

Yeah.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE FROM INSIDE]

Isa...

When I was a little younger
than Yusuf,

back in the orphanage in Iraq,

playing with the other kids...

...we just stopped imagining
anyone would come for us,

you know? Like, love us.

And then this man walks in,

and instead of all the usual
questions about my religion

or my tribe,

he asks me
who my favourite soccer player is.

Like, how do you repay
a debt like that?

You know?

Love's not a bank loan, Isa.

Never needs to be repaid.

[GENTLY] Let's go.

[FROM INSIDE] ..Mohammad El-Hamedi.

[CHEERING FROM INSIDE]

[CROWD QUIETENS]

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

[CROWD QUIETENS]

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

[BREATHES HEAVILY]

[TENSE MUSIC BUILDS]

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

[CHEERING CONTINUES]

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

[CHEERING CONTINUES]

[JOYOUS SHOUTING IN ARABIC]

[EXCLAIMS IN ARABIC]

[ALL RESPOND IN ARABIC]

[EXCLAMATIONS IN ARABIC CONTINUE]

Did you ever think,
all those years ago,

when we were in prison,

you would be standing here tonight?

[LAUGHS]

Under a chandelier?

[BOTH LAUGH]

Hey! Hey!

Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Thank you so much.

Where's... where's my dad?

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you!

[ALL CHANT IN ARABIC]

[CHEERING]

Yeah! Didn't I tell you?

You were right, Dad!

[BOTH LAUGH]

[CHANTING AND CHEERING CONTINUES]

[LIFT DOOR CHIMES]

[DOORS OPEN]

Uh, Isa...

[CHANTING IN ARABIC]

We need to turn donations
into a steady stream of income.

But that's not halal.

All this to Iraq?

Yeah, to charity, actually.

So what's it like
being the first daughter now?

Life-changing?

It's not as glamorous
as I thought it would be.

Sorry your dad didn't win.

But also you're not sorry.

If you are to reshape the community,
Baba, you need women.

Teach a woman, teach a nation.

Baba's VP.
You need to be by his side.

So where were you?

Hey! What's your problem?

Isa cannot serve you as you need.