House of Gods

With so many people watching on iView and giving episodes ten out of ten, I thought that at some of those people would put their opinions into a user review, yet I find that I am the first one.

Those not of the Islamic faith might be put off by a series that dramatises the political struggles for control of an Australian mosque. I struggled to stay interested in the characters for the first two episodes. I hoped to be enlightened but I found myself being confirmed in my attitudes towards both the religion and the nationalities who follow it.

The acting is of a high standard, especially considering that many are not very experienced.

The pace is very slow. The subtitles often get lost in the background which is not good if you don't speak Arabic.

This is a series that might be better placed on SBS. This is not suitable for prime time on a Sunday night and I expect that the ratings will show that.

Very good acting by all the main actors. Well written plot line. Good dialogue. Good drama. All characters are complex, the good ones and the 'bad' ones. Until you realise they're all good and tortured, in their own way. Not lunch more to say. One doesn't need to be Muslim to like it. It's the narrative that leads it. So yes it's great that it helps build bridges between cultures in Australia etc etc etc, but that has zero to do with why i think it's good. It's actually good in its own right and not for politically correct reasons.

The only slight gripe is a little bit of new age politics rammed in there in certain moments. The elder daughter's (Batul) character has some weird feminist moments planted in there, that don't really logically align with the character otherwise. In the fourth episode, while speaking of her life's plans to her dad the Sheik, she proudly exclaims "it's my *choice*!". All else she needed was a soapbox and a girl power t shirt to be truly vomit inducing. I mean save us the cliches. This was not necessary to the plot or the show, at all, but I still give the show a good rating as I figure this is the abc demanding more feminist stuff in the narrative in a show about Muslims, so Osamah probably had not much choice. That said it's a minor gripe and it confines itself to episode four only so can all be looked past.

I hoping for a second series. I know it came to an end, be it a very open end, but a second series would be great if they can please steer clear of trendy politics. (What's great about Islam is that is doesn't follow trends, it's eternal and proud. So stay true to that please.) And I've seen plenty of shows manufacture second series from less than this.

A series such as this is groundbreaking and so very timely in such a divisive world. I applaud everyone involved with this production - the writers, the wonderful cast and the ABC for supporting it. Programs such as this give our wider diverse population a small window into a culture and a religion many of us do not have access to, or understanding of. Whilst it is a dramatised account, it is a marvellous insight into a small section of an Iraqi expat community we would otherwise have no real knowledge about. The strength of the performances and the depiction of the conflict in interpretation of the will of Allah among its leaders was very interesting and not dissimilar at all to the wider Christian communities who have come into conflict over the centuries regarding the will of their God. Congratulations !

How else can we learn about our neighbours? Walk into a mosque? Watch the news? No, intriguing and entertaining drama is really the only way to break the ice and let neighbours in. And this drama does it very well. Some may criticise it for being inaccurate, predictable, melodramatic..... but ultimately it provides an engaging window into a culture that lives amongst us. This is well written, acted, produced and directed. All the cast appear totally authentic, the settings real and the emotional conflicts are universal. Matchbox and ABC obviously put much effort into this production and all should be applauded. A second series would build on this good work. Will that happen? Probably not, but it should.

After binge-watching House of Gods, I'm thoroughly impressed by this gripping Australian drama. Set in Western Sydney, it offers a rare and authentic glimpse into the life of a Muslim community, centred around the charismatic Sheikh Mohammad and his family. The show brilliantly weaves together themes of faith, ambition, and family dynamics, creating a complex narrative that kept me engaged throughout.

What struck me most was the nuanced portrayal of characters and their struggles. The tension between traditional values and modern Australian life is palpable, especially in the storylines of Sheikh Mohammad's daughters, Batul and Hind. The series doesn't shy away from tackling controversial topics, from mosque politics to gender equality within the Islamic community. The performances are stellar, particularly Osamah Sami as Isa, whose actions drive much of the plot's intrigue. Overall, House of Gods is a bold, thought-provoking series that offers a fresh perspective on contemporary Australian life. It's not only entertaining but also culturally significant, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for quality drama that pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions.