This one is tackling marriage: gay marriage for non-Muslims and polygamy for Muslims. Polygamy is being brought courtesy of an Arab mother-in-law. I thought it was interesting that the Arab guy and his mother were the ones going for it while the Muslim Imam was against it. So were the Muslim women. "It's a dying tradition," Fatima and Rayan chime. So that leaves the Arabs out of the liberal loop, I guess. Come to think of it, what is the ethnicity of the Imam? I don't recall it ever being mentioned. Or does he have no such identity marker because his "Muslim" identity superseded all others. But that is not the case with money and sex obsessed Lebanese American Yaser, who doesn't even pray.
The episode did a good job showing the bonding between Muslim and Christian anti-gays. But it didn't offer a positive statment from the other Muslims regarding gay marriage. Fatima was willing to compromise her anti-gay principles for her business interest. That was the most liberal position offered. Rayan, the feminist, was silent on the issue even when Barbar called gay marriage an abomination in front of her. The Imam, when pressed, said: "this is definitely outside the Muslim definition of marriage."
So I guess they won't be bringing up Muslim gays anytime soon. Unless Rayan turns out to be a lesbian. Come to think about it, her little flirtations with the Imam are dwindling.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
17 comments:
I think Rayan's position of indifference and not standing up for gay rights is a commonly held position even for "progressive" Arabs and Muslims. So, I am dissapointed but not suprized, plus her character isnt that radical, in fact I think she is socially conservative,she doesnt believe in dating which I thought was strange. Wont she have to date the man she want to marry?Does that mean she believes in arranged marriges? Does this mean that she doesnt think men and women can be friends or in the same circle of friends?
The New Imams ethnicity is not identified because I think he represents this idea of being Canadian Muslim. I think this is why his character is the most shallow, because he has no history or heritage so far.
Even the old Imam's background is not talked about.
I hate it that the actor that playes Yasser also playes on FoX's 24. Gross. I dont like Yasser's character, he is stereo typical secular(lacking morals) Lebanese businessman. As if Secular progressives dont have morals and are only conserned with money and sex.
I though the gay characters were stereotypical.
Other then that I thought this was the funniest(joke wise, timming)show yet.
What is fox's 24?
I agree about Yaser. Also his acting is pretty bad.
funny how when they talk about sex it's always in relation to his and the convert Sara. a way to keep sex at arm's length from "good muslims"?
"24" is a show produced by the Fox Network.
In short, it seems to surround the exploits of one Jack Bauer, super spy extraordinaire, and all around hero type. The show is Full of gratuitous violence, good guys, slimy bad guys, conspiracies, and explosions at regular intervals.
As you can see, I am not a great fan. I tried to watch it once, but never got beyond 10 minutes.
If I recall from the preview from next week's show, Rayan's love life is the focal point.
The old Imam, I believe was Babar, whom I think is Pakistani, though I could be wrong.
About Yasir and Sara, yes, they do seem to be the only ones who are having sex, but then, they are also the only ones who are in a relationship - married. As Fatima said, "My husband passed, and Babar's wife passed on him." Perhaps I am a romantic at heart, but I tend to view the chemistry between Yasir and Sara as that of two people who have been married for 20+ years and who are still passionatly in love with each other. (I guess that manifests as sex)
morganor,
I'll past on 24 then...
yes, Yasir and sara are the only one's in a relation so it makes sense for them to have sex. But that begs the question: could they be the only one's in a relationship so they'll be the only one's with a sex life?
BTW, you are a romantic : )
amal a
You may very well be right about that.
However, this series is bound by time constraints. 1) the show is only about 22 minutes long in all, 2)*thus far* there are only 6 episodes. Both of these make it really hard for indepth character development in the short vignettes of each episode. That said, it is happening, abeit slowly. I agree with Lena's assesment of the new Imam: that character is on the shallow side partially because his heritage has not yet been mentioned but also, because he is "new" in a great many senses - to being an Imam, to the community and in many ways is still "finding his footing" in his new life (being a religous leader as opposed to being a lawyer) I think that if the series is renewed (and i hope it is) a lot of the "blanks" in the characters will be filled in.
I think that character developement can be done in a short time, if the show takes risks.
I think Yasser's background is talked about because it is less politically charged, then some one from Pakistan or Palestine, for example. There is a war on/of terror happening in Canada too.
Plus the New Imam, he is such an authoritarian sometimes that he drives me mad, does that come with the territory? He really has to make all the decissions, with out any votes? If we knew about his life would his authority not be weaker?
I think it is strange that Fatima and Old Imam are these asexual beings that do not need intimacy or deeper relationships.
Although it is a strength for Fatima to be an independent women, but does that mean she has to not like women like Sarah or not to hunger for love?
I want to talk more about Rayan. Is she an Islamic Feminist?
How can she be a feminist if she belives in some of the social restraints on women that feminists fight against, bigotry against lesbians and gays, not dating (controling women's social choices), men not touching her( implying women not equal to men)?
I want to know more about Rayans ideas because many modern Muslim women think like her and i dont know much about this kind of feminism.
By the way,
"24" is produced by this right wing guy and I consider his show one of the first war on/of terror shows build on absurdity and racism.
The lastest is Sleeper Cell, its website is so disgusting, its about american muslims going undercover in Muslim terror cells in the US and the main leader is, suprize,a palestinian terrorist who is played by a zionist( Israeli) actor. This show has the most messed up view of Islam and Muslim Americans to date.
The first episode starts with the "Palestinian" posing as a Jew in a temple in LA leading the prayer, so ridiculous. I couldn't stomache watching the first episode, but the vile website of Sleeper Cell was enough. I think these racist shows really reinforce some messed up ideas against arabs and muslims in US.
So, its intresting the actor, Yasser. on little mosque acts for a right wing show, producer, and on a rightwing channel.
I'm so glad little house exists after writing about this.
Actually I beg to differ about Sleeper Cell. In fact it was difficult for the producers and the writers, because they had to try to come up with ways of NOT stereotyping Muslims and Arabs. Instead of making a typical dark skinned Arab as a terrorist they came up with a Latino, a Dutch girl, and a Gay Muslim as members of a sleeper cell.
Actually, the show does not indicate whether Farik is Palestinian. I think he's Saudi Arabian.
My point is, sometimes producers and writers try not stereotype certain groups of people, but people still complain.
the whole premise of sleeper cell is that islam makes terrorists no matter what nationality. Plus the whole idea of islamic sleeper cells in the US are not true, there are more Nazis, KKK, Minute men hate filled "sleeper cells" in the US then any thing else.
They talk about angery Muslims with out talking about why are they angery and then the good American muslims are working undercover with the US government.
Anyway, I tried to find the lead terrorist, Farik, identity, on the web site he is identified as Arab.
morganor,
I certainly don't want to burden this sit come with more than it can bear. My objection to the gay theme is that they didn't have to bring it up but they did and they allowed the description that it's an "abomination" to be the last word. Had they not brought up the issue, I wouldn't have demanded that they do. But they can't bring it up, insult homosexuals, express a reactionary view about it, and expect those of us who are for gay rights to be silent about it.
I think the show should relax a bit and not feel it needs to jam every episode with loaded issues as if this is the first and last chance Muslims will ever have to talk about issues that matter to them.
Amal A
I see your point and I agree, the gay theme certainly could have been handled better than it was.
I also agree that the show should relax a bit and not try to cram each episode with contentious issues. However, I am not sure that the writer(s)feel that they have that luxury. I do get the impression that the reason for bringing those issues to the fore (and I believe to the expense of the character development)is the fear that they may not have the chance again. It seems an almost "frenzied" attempt to address every loaded issue it can in the 6 episodes that make up the show (thus far). That said, if the show is renewed, it does leave the door open to address issues like the gay issue again at in the future, and hopefully in a better manner. Also, maybe then, it can slow down and relax a bit.
Lena,
There are different schools of feminism... There is cultural feminism (Betty Friedan discusses this idea in her books), radical feminism, conservative, pop-feminism... and these are only a few... With regard to your question, Rayan would certainly be considered a feminist. Some women believe that dating/allowing men to touch them makes them a weaker subordinate. Interesting enough, within the many different schools, there are such differing views. And, yet, they all label themselves feminist... A good example would be the topic of pornography. Some women view it as sexual slavery, while others view it as sexual freedom... I guess it all comes down to personal beliefs and morals which I believe are both intrinsic and extrinsic. (Intrinsic, meaning they are inside us, and make up our core vlaue system. Extrensic in the sense that we may act one way in the privacy of our home and different in the public eye... In other words, we want to impress others...) Just a thought! :)
Thanks for the info. In America only Conservative "feminists" do not support gay rights and believe a woman should play a traditional role. In this example I use the word feminist loosely. I'm not saying Rayan is of this school, but I do wonder if she would actually consider herself a feminist? Also, it seems that the mainstream US feminist movement has moved to the right, Example supporting the occupation of Afganistan saying that it liberated women. How has this effected the feminist movement in Arab world?
Also, some women believe islamic ideas liberate women, like the veil or traditional social roles. I know alot of this is personal identity, but it is also is a trend after the collape of the left in Middle East, when the Soviet Union fell and with the rise in popularity of Hezbolla and Hamas.
I guess my question is where is the feminist movement today in the arab world and what are its influence?
Please, anyone feel free to answer or put in thoughts.
Side Note: I have seen some tv series focus on one character per show, this might be better then when Little house tries to pack every thing in one show.
Amal, do you not think the show was accurate in its portrayle of homosexuality as a taboo and the homophobia in Arab/ Muslim community? In my family there is closeted gays that live in the middle east and their sexuality is avoided,with relatives having Rayans attitude toward gays. Just wondering...
Lena,
the show (Babar) called it abomination, which what some people there would call it. The Imam said gay marriage is beyond the Muslim of marriage. All Imams in the Arab world would agree with him and may want him to stop to talk to his Christian friend who doesn't mind marrying gays. The few gays I know are closeted to their families. I do hear of public spaces opening up for gays in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan--u know where gays can hang up and socialize. But the show is in Canada. There are Canadian and American Muslim gays who are out or trying to be out and get some support from their community.
Hi Lena,
You mentioned that some women believe islamic ideas liberate women, for example, the veil.
I have to agree with this statement. While I do not wear hijab, most of my family members do... Many of them married into our family and are converts. The idea is that you are not a victim of (what I view as) sexual slavery. You are not judged according to your looks or body. As a result, men are forced to judge you by your strength and mind. This is, of course, not true for all women... In some countries, as you indicated, women are forced to cover. If it's not your choice, then it would be a tool of oppression. Hijab can be a source of empowerment, as well as oppression. It all comes down to the woman's choice. I still maintain that it's all tied into how a woman views herself (which goes back to ones own morals or self identity.)
As far as homosexuality is concerned, most schools of Islam to condemn it... It's just a reality. It does NOT mean it's right. But, the show was portraying the issue accurately... In my second year of law school, we studied how gays were treated in Lebanon back in the early 90s... If you were found to be gay, you were often sodomized and tortured... (What's ironic is that it was the "straight" guys/soldiers performing the sodomy...) Please pardon the vulgarity... Unfortunately, it's true and there are a TON of cases on point... And, again, it does NOT make it right. In fact, it was a horrific human rights abuse. For some reason, Muslims are either afraid to take a stance, or they believe that Allah will judge them... My belief is that only Allah can judge, so why waste our time? In FL, gays are the only group that are statitorily banned from adopting. it seems that homophobia is ramped... It needs to be tackled on a greater level. Little Mosque is probably not the place, as the creator seems to be just trying to give Muslims a nice image. (We've taken quite a beating in the media!!!) Please feel free to disagree! lol And, thanks for letting me be part of the conversation!
One more thought, in the Quran, the mother supposedly has the highest status... Throughout the arab world, we do not always see Sharia practiced as it was intended. But, wives are to be treated as gold, they owned property before any Western female ever did. They have very specific rights enumerated in the Quran. I once had a discussion w a Muslim friend of mine who said that bc she was Muslim, she didnt have to be a feminist. Living in the US, I disagree with her... Women are under so much pressure to undergo cosmetic surgery, still earn much less than their male counterpart... So, what do you all think? :)
I'm an agnostic Chinese, and feminism is the lens I viewed this episode through. When that fireman tried to kiss Rayan, I was offended and found it creepy, that he saw her 'frozen' stance as indication that she wants to be kissed. What part of silence is not consent does that dickhead not understand?
Oh, a dinner is a dinner is a dinner, it can be more, but a dinner is just a dinner, he's definitely not entitled to anything at all.
BTW, I just found your site through google as I've been wondering if I should give this series another try, since I did last and saw this disappointing episode. I found it disappointing that Rayan came to the conclusion that the fireman is not right for her because of Islam, that he's not Muslim...and not because the fireman in question is a dickhead. Though considering her environment, it's not surprising.
As for the sex and marriage and culture thing, /my/ quasi-traditional mother is confused by my stance. I don't date because I don't have time...and I would never have sex with a man who have no marriage /potentials/, because the pill has a failure rate of 5%, and why waste time with poor specimens of men if I can get off on my own or with another women maybe.
On the note of marriage, I would never marry a men I haven't slept with yet, because sexual behavior are very telling. My mother is of the group that worry that without the binding contract of marriage, one can be abandoned by one's partner. I counter, there are divorces nowadays, and why would one want to marry someone who would abandon them without legal consequences anyways?
- Georgia
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