The English Harem

(This film was broadcast at 9pm on 27/12/05 on ITV1) At a time when hostility and prejudice towards Muslims and Islam is at an all time high I was frankly appalled by such a film being given air time, in fact prime time, on a mainstream television channel. This programme is utterly ridiculous in nature, bears no resemblance to the lives of normal practising Muslims and is full of untruths and sensationalism. Exactly what sort of audience ITV wants to entertain with this I am not sure... the BNP perhaps? It is obvious that the producers of this show have no real understanding of Islam and the many millions of people in Britian and around the world who practise it. It is also obvious that no attempt was made to even research the subject. Even in the most biased of news reports or the most right wing tabloids it is hard to find misrepresentation of Muslims matching this level. The star character, while claiming to be Muslim, doesn't pray, drinks alcohol, practises group sex - as was on more than one occasion implied, and is strictly "haram" (forbidden) in Islam - while his wives seem to be portrayed as little more than sex objects. Polygamous marriages, while not the culture in the west and obviously controversial, are rarely undertaken by practising Muslims and, when they are, are NOT done purely for physical gratification but for a number of more socially important reasons (usually involving children, financial support of women, etc). The show deliberately takes a complex issue and twists it for the purpose of sensationalism. The theme of society being prejudiced toward the family is a very thin veil for a programme that does nothing but promote such prejudice. If this drama had not been so inflammatory I would wonder why it was even on television, let alone in a prime slot... the plot and dialogue are laughable, the characters pure two-dimensional clichés. It smells like a dodgy low-budget B film, produced quickly just to fill a bit of free space, yet takes a 9pm slot in a Christmas period.

This has to be the worst TV Drama I have ever watched.

The story has nothing to do with the reality of the Islamic Culture or the concept of having up to four wives! I seriously can't understand what research has been carried out for this Drama.

It is an appalling attempt by the writer and actors, who have disgraced themselves in being involved in such a flop.

I thought Art Malik was beginning to pick up after his role in 'Holby City', however his acting was so poor in this drama that i wouldn't be surprised if this has taken away his chance of any progression. I think he seems to think that this is somewhat like the drama 'Stolen', which he previously acted in.....I'm afraid Art, Stolen was crap and this one was far far worse. I hope i don't see him on screen for a loooooooooonnnng time.

As for Martine, well she did a good job in Eastenders and that's about all.....we know that her 'only moment' .....was a huge failure proving that she couldn't sing and after her performance in this drama, i'd be confident to say that she can't act either.....i think Martine has just waved her so called career goodbye!!

How do you make polygamy within Islamic relationships in Britain appear socially acceptable? Easy. Art Malik.

Or so it should be... However, it doesn't work like that. This movie is about as subtle as a blow from a sledgehammer. It proceeds on the assumption that all it would take to make the abhorrent appear palatable is for an Oriental-looking gentleman, evidently monied, with an upper- class English accent, to open doors for ladies at the right moment.

It also tries to pull off some neat tricks, including having the working classes quaffing champagne at the gentrification of London, and the demolition of a housing block! It all seems to work out. It turns out, all the viewer needs to be 'educated' about is that everyone who resisted the encroachment of the 'new' ways (polygamy, being forced out of one's own neighbourhood, etc.) is simply backward, and needs to accept the Brave New World.

Bravo, Art Malik! Supremely patronising, politicised nonsense.

It was a lovely movie, i have never seen any one addressing an Islamic subject any better. It rightly expresses the true spirit of Islam the way it is seen and practised by the Muslims.

it showed the Iranina culture and dresses and showed the difference of the delicate nature of the Iranian culture and the roughness of the English daily life. At the same time it showed that once a person breaks into the English social circles then they get accepted.

This film gives a positive image of Islam at a time when all you hear about Islam is negative. This movies is an excellent guide to understand problems faced by other faiths and the power of mutual respect and co existence

hi i absolutely love good movies, dramas and soaps. whilst on the internet looking at a website i seen something about the English Harem. seeing that Art Malik was in it made me really want to watch it. when it finally aired on our screens i was so happy because i hadn't seen Art on TV since he left Holby City. as sat for two hours watching this it made me realise that some people can be very racist and not appreciate other religious views (e.g Sam being allowed up to 4 wives.) Art and Martine played their roles brilliantly and with passion that shows what good actors they really are and i wish them all the best in what ever they do next.

Emma Crowe