Ep 3. The Open House

In Little Mosque on the Prairie season 1 episode 3, titled The Open House, the Muslim community in Mercy, Saskatchewan decides to host an open house at the local mosque to educate their non-Muslim neighbors about their beliefs and practices. The idea is met with both support and skepticism from within the community.

The episode begins with Sarah, a recent convert to Islam, expressing her excitement about the upcoming event to her husband Yasir. He, however, is more hesitant, having experienced discrimination and hostility from his non-Muslim coworkers in the past. Nevertheless, Yasir decides to support the open house and even volunteers to give a tour of the mosque.

Meanwhile, Reverend Magee, the Christian pastor who has been shown throughout the series to be both friendly and somewhat clueless about Islam, prepares to bring a group from his church to the open house. His well-meaning attempts to learn more about Islam, however, do not always go smoothly. For example, when he asks Baber, a more conservative member of the mosque board, about the Qur'an's stance on homosexuality, Baber is initially hesitant to answer and then bluntly states that Islam does not condone it.

As preparations for the open house continue, Amaar, the mosque's new imam, tries to find a way to make the event more appealing to non-Muslims. His idea is to offer free food, but when he suggests this to Baber, Baber is horrified at the thought of non-Muslims eating food prepared by Muslims. Amaar, who is more easygoing and modern in his approach to Islam, responds that this is precisely the type of attitude that prevents non-Muslims from being interested in learning about Islam.

On the day of the open house, both Muslims and non-Muslims arrive at the mosque. The Muslims are excited to share their faith with others, but some are also nervous about how they will be perceived. For their part, the non-Muslim visitors have varying reactions to the event. Some, like Reverend Magee, are genuinely interested in learning more about Islam. Others, like a group of older women who attend the event out of boredom, seem less engaged.

At one point, a young girl named Rayyan, who has been set up as Amaar's love interest, shows Reverend Magee around the mosque. He asks her about women's rights in Islam, and she explains that while women and men have different roles, both are considered equal in the eyes of God. Reverend Magee seems impressed by this answer, and Rayyan and Amaar share a flirtatious moment before being interrupted by Baber.

As the event winds down, everyone seems to have had a good time. Amaar thanks Yasir for giving tours, and Yasir responds that he was happy to see so many non-Muslims asking questions and showing interest in Islam. Baber remains skeptical, however, and warns Amaar that the open house may have given non-Muslims the wrong idea about Islam. Amaar responds that the open house was intended to promote understanding and tolerance, and that this is exactly what it achieved.

The Open House is an important episode of Little Mosque on the Prairie as it highlights the tension between more conservative and more liberal approaches to Islam. It also provides a nuanced portrayal of the Muslim community, showing that while they may face discrimination and suspicion, they are also open and welcoming to those who show an interest in their faith. Overall, the episode promotes the message that understanding and tolerance between different communities is crucial in creating a peaceful and harmonious society.