Ep 5. The Convert

The Canadian TV series Little Mosque on the Prairie revolves around the Muslim community living in the fictional town of Mercy, Saskatchewan. The show tackles issues related to cultural differences, misunderstandings, and social integration. Season 1, Episode 5 is titled “The Convert,” and it explores the theme of religious conversion.

The episode begins with Baber, a conservative and orthodox Muslim, trying to recruit people for a lecture about the importance of following the Islamic laws. In the meantime, his daughter Layla has some news for him. She has decided to convert to Islam and wants to talk to him about it. Baber is initially thrilled by her announcement but becomes suspicious when he finds out that Layla's intended husband is not a Muslim but a born-again Christian.

The storyline of Layla’s conversion is juxtaposed with Amaar, the mosque’s new imam, trying to reach out to the non-Muslims in the community. He makes a pamphlet about Islam, which he plans to distribute at the local farmer’s market. However, he faces opposition from Fred, a loud and opinionated resident who believes that the mosque shouldn’t be promoting its religion to others.

As the episode progresses, we see the reactions of different characters to Layla’s conversion. Fatima, Baber’s wife, is happy for their daughter but struggles with the idea that her son-in-law might not share the same faith. Meanwhile, Rayyan, Amaar’s love interest, worries that Layla might be converting for the wrong reasons - to impress a boy.

The episode also showcases the mosque’s pre-marital counseling program, which Layla and her fiancé attend. They answer a series of questions about their beliefs and expectations for their married life. Layla is surprised to learn that her fiancé has been learning about Islam and has already started practicing some of its teachings. However, when Layla admits that she has not yet told her fiancé about her conversion, Amaar advises her to be honest with him.

The climax of the episode takes place at the farmer’s market, where Amaar hands out his pamphlets. Fred tries to disrupt their distribution, but Amaar remains calm and respectful. Suddenly, Layla’s fiancé shows up and confronts her about her conversion. When Layla tells him the truth about her intentions, he is shocked and confused. However, in a heartwarming moment, he admits that he loves Layla for who she is and decides to convert to Islam so that they can be together.

In the final scene, we see Layla and her fiancé being married at the mosque, surrounded by their family and friends. Amaar gives a speech about how Islam is a religion of peace, love, and acceptance, and how the mosque is a place where people from different backgrounds can come together. As the newlyweds leave the mosque, they are greeted by Amaar’s pamphlets, which they pick up and read with curiosity.

Overall, “The Convert” is a heartwarming and insightful episode that tackles the theme of religious identity and acceptance. It showcases the diversity and complexity of the Muslim community and highlights the importance of mutual respect and understanding between different cultures and faiths. The episode’s strong writing and charming characters make it an enjoyable and memorable viewing experience.