Polygamy

In this episode, Yassir’s mother insists that he take on a second wife. Amaar retorts that it’s against the law but she explains to Amaar that since the Nikah isn’t registered, it could be their little secret.

I’ve heard of men marrying two to three women where only one is actually registered. I suppose that isn’t proper because according to the doctrines, you can only marry more than one woman if you can treat them equally. 

Which countries currently allow polygamy? Are you in one of these countries? If it is Sunnah, why aren’t Muslim men marrying more women?

Respect your parents

Yassir has a difficult time telling his mother that he doesn’t need another wife and Sarah is exactly what he needs. His mother can’t take no for an answer and even goes as far as faking a heart attack to gain the sympathy of his son.

Is Yassir really stuck between a rock and a hard-place? You have to respect your parents by not breaking their heart into a million pieces. 

Have you had many such arguments with your parents? What was the end result? Were you able to reach a compromise?

Same-Sex Marriage

Reverend McGee is asked to perform a same-sex marriage for the ‘friend of Dorothy’ swim instructor. He is initially hesitant but much to the dismay of Fred Tupper, Fatima and Baber, he agrees to do the ceremony. The aforementioned characters are up in arms at the ‘abomination’. 

According to Islam, Nikah is a ‘contract’ between a man and a woman and therefore same-sex marriage is frowned upon absolutely not tolerated. Legally however, same-sex marriages can be perfomed in 8 out of the 10 all the provinces in Canada and a few countries in Europe as well as South Africa.

What is your community’s stance on same-sex marriage? What’s your stance? Are they different from your parents?

Episode 7 – Preview

Mother-In-Law 

Note: This episode was originally supposed to air Feb 21st 2007.

You can watch clips from Episode 6 at CBC.ca.

Second Marriage: Yassir’s mother talks with Amaar about a second marriage for her son.

Washing my body: Sarah’s mother-in-law reveals that she doesn’t want Sarah to wash her body when she dies.

Leaving home: Sarah has Rayyan bring her some things from home which doesn’t include Yassir and his mother.

Episode 6 – The Archdeacon Cometh

Synopsis: The Muslim community steps in to help when Mercy Anglican Church faces financial ruin. 

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Video courtesty of mydien

Note: The Mother-In-Law Episode has been pushed to next week.

What did you think of this episode? How does it compare to the previous episodes?

Are there any other topics from the episode that you want to discuss? Ask a Question.

Misconceptions in Religion

Yassir turns the table around by offering a few misconceptions he has on the Anglicans. He asks the Arch-Deacon how the Vatican is, he asks Sarah if  Easter is when Jesus looks for his shadow.

Normally, the misconceptions are for Islam and Muslims; it was refreshing to observe misconceptions on a religion other than Islam. It also shows the ignorance of Yassir and how absurd he looks. 

Are there other common misconceptions in the Christian religion?

Witch-Doctor Medicine

Fatima offers folk medicine to Fred Tupper to cure his ailing back. The body rub given to him turns his back green and the oral medication gives him nasty hives. Rayyan isn’t thrilled with the whole idea and Fred wonders if Fatima is in fact trying to kill him.

Grandmothers usually have such medicines and practices up their sleeves. To avoid going to the doctor, the children will try anything and psychologically they make themselves feel better, sometimes.

Do you use medicine given to you by a witch-doctor type figure? What are some of the folk medicines that your family relies on?

Pretending to be Anglican

The Muslims of Mercy have to pretend to be Anglican in order to fill the church when the Arch-Deacon arrives. They have to do this so that they can keep the Mosque running. They get lessons on singing hymns and are guided through the goings on in the church.

Some of the Muslims in my community would never do this. Much like Baber, they would find even the thought offensive. They would find other ways to save the Mosque. Then again, they would never have a Mosque in a church either.  

How would your community react if they were asked to “pretend” to be part of another religion?

Episode 5 – The Convert

Synopsis: The mosque has a new white converted member and this leads to much discussion among the populace of Mercy and causes a few problems. 

Videos courtesty of mydien

What did you think of this episode? How does it compare to the previous episodes?

Are there any other topics from the episode that you want to discuss? Ask a Question.

Prayer

Sarah makes a bet with Rayyan that she can pray 5 times a day for an entire month. To accomplish this she prays at her work, in the morning at her house, and also at Fatima’s place.

Praying 5 times a day requires a great deal of commitment and discipline. You have to train yourself and with continual reinforcement it can become a habit. It may also be difficult when you are working full-time for someone else, but you can pray at lunch time and take the afternoon coffee break to perform salaat. 

Do you have obstacles when it comes to praying 5 times a day? What helps you overcome them?