House of Gods on ABC – As Ramadan begins, large cash donations stream into the mosque. Isa (Osamah Sami) skims off the top before handing them over to Batul (Maia Abbas) to be logged.
At The Messenger mosque’s first committee meeting, Sheikh Mohammad (Kamel El Basha) presents his ambitious plans for a new Shi’ite school. In a shock move, Batul also refuses to vote in favour of it due to the inclusion of music and dance, which she sees as haram (sinful).
When Batul wonders why donations are down but attendance is up, Isa is evasive. Seyyed Modhaffer (Faris Daniel) wants the $25,000 each month in one payment, not installments. Isa tries to explain that a large transfer would attract attention from the authorities, but Seyyed Modhaffer is not happy.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammad tries to secure Abu Zuhayr’s vote for his school. He agrees to drop the dance and promises Abu Zuhayr’s extended family cleaning contracts at the school. Abu Zuhayr agrees, and Sheikh Mohammad celebrates having secured the votes he needs to make his school a reality.
Batul notices an irregular transfer from the mosque’s account.
House of Gods on ABC and ABC iview – Sunday 10 March, 2024 at 8.30pm.
About House of Gods
The ABC is thrilled to announce the landmark six-part drama series House of Gods premieres Sunday 25 February at 8.30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.
House of Gods follows the lives of an ambitious Iraqi Australian family grappling with newfound power and privilege when their charismatic patriarch is elected Head Cleric of their local mosque. This compelling series takes audiences behind the walls of an imam’s family and the community he leads, exploring the personal cost of power and ambition.
Produced by Matchbox Pictures and directed by Fadia Abboud (Here Out West, Year Of, Five Bedrooms) House of Gods features an impressive cast including, Osamah Sami (Ali’s Wedding, Savage River, Shayda), International award-winning actor Kamel El Basha (Our Males and Females, Room 207 ), Maia Abbas (Savage River), Safia Arain (Bump), the late Simon Elrahi (Last King of the Cross), Priscilla Doueihy (Special Ops: Lioness, Babyteeth, Eden) and Majid Shokor (Stateless, Nowhere Boys).
For co-creator, writer and co-executive producer Osamah Sami, who himself grew up as the son of a Head Cleric, House of Gods is a celebration of his community with all its traditions and flaws.
Sami said: “Storytelling is how we all connect. It’s how we tell each other we’re not alone in this world. All the cultural and religious differences go out the door once you realise another person can experience the same feelings as you even though they’re from another part of the world, or their religion or skin colour is different. That’s our hope for House of Gods”.
Production Credit: House of Gods is a Matchbox Pictures production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC. Financed with support from Screen NSW. International sales by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution. Matchbox Pictures is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. Created by Osamah Sami and Shahin Shafaei, developed by Blake Ayshford, produced by Bree-Anne Sykes and executive produced by Sheila Jayadev, Blake Ayshford and Debbie Lee. ABC Executive Producers Sally Riley and Brett Sleigh.
House of Gods on ABC
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