Make Me a Muslim
Episode 2
Channel 4 Monday 17 December at 8pm
The six volunteers who have agreed to live according to Muslim law are proving quite a challenge to Imam Ajmal Masroor. His attempt to bring Islam to the somewhat monocultural town of Harrogate has not been going well. ‘I am disappointed that people are rather resistant,’ He says. ‘…If they want to get the best out of it they will have to engage.’
In an attempt to remove the temptations of their everyday lives, Ajmal takes the group on a retreat and asks them to fast for 17 hours. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Its aim is to make people feel closer to the poor and to God.
Back in Harrogate, the women had resisted the Muslim tradition of modest dress. At the retreat, though, mentor Dawn insists that this rule is obeyed. Glamour model Kerry feels so oppressed by the clothing that she decides to quit. With a little give and take, though, Ajmal persuades her to stay. Many of the other women respond by rebelling against the whole regime: they stash illicit supplies of scotch eggs, crisps, sweets and portable DVD players in their dormitory.
The group’s time away is an emotional rollercoaster. Hedonistic Luke confronts the tragic death of his father when he was a child; Karla and Ash's relationship comes under increasing pressure; and, despite having agreed to stick to the rules, Phil heads back to the pub.
Nevertheless, there is a sense of serenity as the group share a final meal before returning home. But how will the people of Harrogate respond when the women appear in their hijabs in public for the first time?
