01x02 - Family Blood

[bunniefuu]

If I'm elected tonight,

it will be because the honourable
clergy in Iraq have chosen me.

This is for your Instagram story?

Oh, you're such a charmer!
Oh.

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

Has this kiss cost you
your election tonight?

[GLASS SMASHES]
[EXCLAIMS]

The votes are sealed, son.

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

Why the sudden appetite
to dine with the wolves?

ISA: The guy with the votes
is in town,

but Dad won't meet with him.

You really want to be Baba's VP?

I want Dad to win!

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hamedi!
[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

[ALL SPEAK ARABIC]

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

[ALL SPEAK ARABIC]

[SINGING IN ARABIC]

[HUBBUB]

[ENERGETIC ARABIC POP SONG PLAYS]

[EXCLAIMS]

Hey, what's your problem?

Oi. Oi. Oi.

Cuz, you're parole risk.
You're paroled.

Relax, alright? [EXCLAIMS]

[OTHERS 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.

[APPLAUSE]

Your backing makes our hearts
fly in joy, and so humble.

Your financial support to the squad
is most generous.

He prioritises football.
With mosque money, no less.

Eight, nine shots in, you know,

things are getting a bit
"how are you going?"

I look over, I see this 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. I don't know what to do.

[VOICE FADES] As he's stumbling,
he grabs me, pulls me aside.

Holding me back. Holding me back.
"Cuz, you're parole,"

and then I just get...

Salaam alaikum.
Alaikum salaam.

Mirwan, I want to make a transfer
for 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.

For the son of our beloved Sheikh.

Come on, bro!
[CHEERING, SHOUTING]

[CHEERING]

Yes!

I got in.

To what?
Design school.

Muslim girl, lefty college -
you were always going to get in.

Be happy for me.
I am happy.

I'm truly happy for you.

Oh. Ah, what a team!

So good you founded 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.

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.

Uh-huh.
Teach a woman, teach a nation.

Good.

You have been always able
to see the whole field,

not only the next play.

[CHUCKLES]

Perhaps I'll offer my services
to Coach Jabbar.

[LAUGHS]
[DOOR OPENS]

That would be great
if that will keep you here.

Maybe.
When are you due to leave?

A week.

So soon?

Salaam alaikum.

Alaikum salaam.

The right hand appears.

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! Non-stop.

That's how I was raised.
[CHUCKLES]

OK, go. What are you waiting for?
[LAUGHS]

Hey.
[GASPS]

[SPEAKS ARABIC]
Sorry. It's me.

Didn't your mum tell you never
to sneak up on girls?

Kitchen's closed.

Oh, nah. Actually...

Does it hurt?

Idiot.

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.

Yeah, but surely it changes things.

I mean, you probably don't
need to keep working here.

Everyone just gives you things
for free now.

My dad wouldn't let me
take advantage of that.

Yeah. Your dad's a righteous man.

[SCOFFS]
What?

I'm reserving judgement until I see
how he reacts to me moving out.

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.

[OVER RADIO]
♪ Boy, it's your problem

♪ You wasted my time

♪ And I thought that I told you

♪ I made up my mind... ♪

Don't you sing?
No, I don't.

Not to this music.

[SIGHS]

Babe, 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... ♪

Oh!

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 LAUGH]

[BOTH LAUGH]

I'll be in Iraq this time next week.

Oh!

What?! Psycho! No!

You're worse than the guy!



Mate, I'm already giving you
the best rates in the state.

Can we settle on 100?


You wanna let a huge contract
slip over, what, 10 bucks?

I could say the same to you.

You take us on, that's a big
step up for you fellas.

I'm investing in a new crew.

I've got a couple of new machines
coming in from the States.

Expanding, eh?

Who's backing ya? Financially.

So where do you want this, Dad?

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

How can you be the... [SPEAKS ARABIC]

...if a book desk 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'd love it.

Oh, good. Good.

Dad...

You know with the transformations -

the games room, the soccer team,
your school...

The community 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
in the committee.

The majority's ours, Dad.
Mm.

You're still thinking of asking
Uncle Samir, right?

Yeah, sure.
Yeah.

[MEN SPEAK ARABIC]

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.

There.
Yeah, perfect.

More people will see it
out here anyway.

It's like a reminder
for people that, uh,

faith and knowledge can work
alongside each other.

Yes.
Dad...

...I support everything you're doing,

but I don't want your dreams
to crash to earth

because 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.

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.

[MEN SPEAK ARABIC]

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]
[LAUGHS]

It's Bilal.

[LAUGHS]

Bilal? Hello.

Um...
Don't you recognise my voice?

Bilal, I'm with Jamila.
Uh-huh. Jamila.

I'm leading your wife astray.
Oh.

You have to tell me how, because
she's so well-behaved with me.

OK. Well, first...
Hey!

Bilal. [LAUGHS] I'll call you later.

OK, habibi. Please do.

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

Ciao.

[BOTH LAUGH]

How you have changed.

I have not.
Honey.

You were all, what, study, work,
party hardest.

Men were for one thing,
one thing only.

You're so loved up now.
It induces reflux.

He is the love of my life.
I just hadn't met him yet.

No, you hadn't, but you had, um...
Kevin... and Jax.

And remember... Babe.

Remember lovesick Trevor?

[BOTH LAUGH]

Trevor, he tried to learn Arabic.

[EXCLAIMS]
Yeah, that was another age.

Remember this?

Hijab for Allah.

t*ts for our bella.

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's good to get out.

It's time to return to reality.

Is everything OK?

Hm?
With Abu?

Yeah. Of course.

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.

It was just easier.

Ah!

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

[MEN CHAT IN ARABIC]

It's OK. Uncle Samir will advise.
Haji 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...

...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.

Uncle 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.

Uncle Samir...
Isa.

You shouldn't have done this.

[MEN SPEAK ARABIC]

He talks like we are running
a bank, not a mosque.

Has no interest in my vision
for the community.

What? 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's mind
gets ahead of him.

I understand that.

But to even suggest this...

[SIGHS]

I'm overreacting, yeah?

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.

Trust yourself.

Yes, this is good.

Put it inside,
where everyone can see it.

[SPEAKS ARABIC] Thank you.

SAMIR: Hammad!

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.

[SINGS IN ARABIC]

Repeat after me, please.

So much for trusting
in your friends.

He refused?

WOMAN:

I was told Isa snuck out.

It was a no for all to see.

At least now, Sheikh Mohammad,

he will have to choose a man
who respects Islam.

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, uh,
sit by me like a rock.

Abu Hany?

Sheikhna, I'm a butcher.

The people, they don't think of me
in that way.

I think of you in that way.
Abu Hany is right.

Someone from a younger generation
would draw more support.

[SONG IN ARABIC PLAYS]

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

Hello, Ammu.

Hello, Toota.

I missed you.
Oh.

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.

Mmm.

How is life, Toota?

Good.
I've missed our conversations.

It's good. Hamdullah.

Come on, tell me.

Don't hide from Uncle Samir.

I miss being here.

Sydney is your home.

I never realised just how much.

After Mama 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? Hmm?

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, Ammu.

No, Toota. Think. Think.

Take off this cloth
and let the air get into your brain.

There are so many times...

...too many, where Allah is gone.

Where is he when w*r rages,
when famine comes?

Or even in the prison cells in Iraq.
Hmm? 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.

[TEARFULLY] 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.

There was no other reason.

Baba? Does he know?

It would break his heart.

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. Assalam.

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 should have been there.

[DOOR SHUTS]

Assalamu alaikum.

Alaikum salaam, Rahmatullah.

What do you like the most
of the people we know?

The men. Exclude me,
your brother, and Uncle Samir.

Ah. I have a lot to think about with
college and my career at the moment.

I'm not talking about marriage.

Who should I pick
for the community seat?

I was thinking about Abu Laith...

He's the biggest gossip
in the community.

Why don't you want Uncle Samir
anymore?

Because 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.

And Isa should come too.
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...

Woo, woo, woo.
A-woo, woo, woo!

Woo!

Mmm. What a smell to wake up to.

You hungry?
Mm-hm.

Remember when your mum banned us
from having eggs?

She banned you.

[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

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.

Be a scandal.

Baba...
Dad agreed.

Not now.

Later. Later.

OK, so...

...supporting women -

you preach it,
but you don't practise it.

[EXCLAIMS]
[SIGHS]

I support you.

You live here rent free.

Like THAT you change your mind.

Seriously?

I said I will consider it.

Baba could you 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 SOFTLY]

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?

[MOTOR RUMBLES]

f*ck.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure
it's the motor.

So how much for a new one?



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?

Sorry. Not your fault.

Do you want a cold drink?

Do you have blueberries?

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 work up and decided
he would only eat blue food today.

How have you been?

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 kind of blue.

Kinda.

Thank you.

Same?
Yes, thanks.

Allah's blessings be with you.

Don't forget our hardworking
and generous Abu Hany

seeking to represent our voices
at the mosque.

I'll remember, and tell my family.

Salaam alaikum.
Alaikum salaam.

You're having a sale on meat?

To celebrate my running
for the mosque community seat.

Oh, you are?

It's his right to do so.

Of course. Yeah.

[MURMURS]

Where is Isa?

Isn't Jabbar his friend?

He should be here to greet him.

Shameful.
He hasn't forgotten.

How do you think you will go
this year?

Plenty of goals?

The 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 DINGS]

We knew each other a bit
from school.

Is he working?
He must be.

[PHONE DINGS]
Excuse me for a moment.

[PHONE DINGS]

[LIVELY ARABIC MUSIC PLAYS]
MAN: Hey!

Hey? What's your problem?

MAN: Oi. Oi. Oi.

[SHOUTING]

[MUSIC STOPS]

[PHONE RINGS]

[SAFE BEEPS]

You're a good man. 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?

Yes...

He's Sunni.

So?

What would our community say?

I mean, we are an all-Shia 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.

Surely this is my decision.

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.

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.

[ON PHONE] Hey, what's your problem?
Look.

Oi, oi! Hey!
[MEN SHOUT]

We were at the wrong place
at the wrong time.

Exactly.
The guy attacked us.

We were just getting kebabs.

And tonight you were
getting kebabs too?

And drinking poison?

Uncle Samir drinks and you want...
Uncle Samir is not my son.

He does not live under my roof.

I said I'm sorry.

Not good your sorry to me.

Everyone will see it now.

And I am to appoint you a VP.

It wasn't my fault. Nadir...

Nadir is a known criminal.

You should be leading him!

Salaam alaikum.
Alaikum salaam.

Ammu, there is 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.

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.

Won't matter
if he's the only one running.

Your father hasn't asked
someone else?

Baba is 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.

Because, Ammu...

...the past has a way of resurfacing.

On the committee,
you will serve Allah.

Everyone will know that.

And just that.

We've got plenty of storage anyway.

And if we buy a three-month supply,
then they'll give us a 30% discount.

Ah, Batul.

Um, Dad and I have a bit of work
to do, so...

I did it.

I convinced Ammu 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.

We just want to 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.

Ammu 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.

That's my girl.

Baba, I should be your VP.

[LAUGHS]
What?

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 going to go for this, Dad.

We've... we've never had
a female VP.

Besides... I'm your right hand.
I've always been your right hand.

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.

sh**t for the stars.

Appointing me will show everyone
you practise as you preach.

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.

Well, yeah.

Sheikh Shaaker, the elders,
they'll never allow it.

The grand clerics,
you know what they're going to say?

Your tenacity will be respected.

You, me, Ammu Samir.

The majority is ours.

We go big.

Not just in our minds,
but with everyone.

[GROANS]

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]

A good leader transforms
potential into reality.

Trust me.

[CHATTER IN ARABIC]

[APPLAUSE]

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.

[ALL GASP, CHATTER]

[SPEAKS ARABIC]
[OTHERS SPEAK ARABIC]

Good.

[WATER SPLASHES]

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.

[SPEAKS ARABIC]

How is it that you're still
sending money when you're not the VP?

Like I said, it's for charity.

Oh!

It's over. Just let it go.

Yeah, but we've got history.
It doesn't go away.

Your sister will make
a heck of a VP, you know.

This school will be unlike
any other school in the country.

Are you building a school, Sheikna,
or a nightclub?

If Batul was to step aside, would
you consider voting for the school?