Syed in Eastenders

[marwel7]

There is something I don't understand about this storyline.
I get that the Muslim faith does not allow homosexuality.But how does the fact that Syed is gay translate to the destruction of his family and wife.That his family will now be viewed as tainted.And similarly that his wife will be shamed and as she said her father's unpaid servant for life.
I ask this out of genuine curiosity.

[dothawkes31]

She means that she will never be married as a muslem and so will have to stay at home and look after her father. I am not sure whether the fact that she has already been married means she would not, in the eyes of her faith, be suitable to marry again, it's astounding to me that there is that type of culture but if there is there is so it's nothing we can change, Eastenders are maybe dramatising it abit too much for audience purposes but not sure if they are.

[Bobbisox]

Hi marwell, Amira would now be classed a 'used 'goods and her Father wouldn't be able to find a husband to have her, this would be a stigma to him so in effect he will make her look after him all the time, Syed being Gay in the Muslim Community would be a sign of disgrace so the community would turn their back on them via the Mosque and their own

[lardhelmet]

I wouldn't mind staying home looking after her father - he looks like Johnny Depp's father! lol

[Bobbisox]

dot I think it does happen in close tied Asian communities

[craft1948]

I remember a muslim girl I worked with who after years of both physical and mental abuse in an arranged marriage left her husband.
Her family, apparently unusually, took her in but they were shunned by their community ..........she ended up going back to him.

[sara3]

they must have done their homework, otherwise there would be an outcry..

[jack daniels]

no they are not dramatising at all - worse case scenario would be the 'bride' setting alight to herself or someone else (close family) doing it.
you would bring shame on the whole family and be outcasted by everyone - you'd be treated like a lepur. All eyes would be on you with constant looks of 'down their noses' at you & gossiping your story.
The bride is now 'damaged/dirty goods' and so no-one would want to marry her either. she would now be at her parents home living the rest of her days serving her family as she's no good to anyone else.
The groom in time would go on to live a 'normal' life.

It's quite sad but unfortunately goes on - more so abroad but still in other countries too.

[askyourgran]

Why is it that there are so many gorgeous gay men. My neighbour is gay and he isn't gorgeous but his girl/boyfriend is. I go weak at the knees when I see him.

[bigfoot3000]

His girl/boyfriend?

[lardhelmet]

Sounds like a bit of a waste doesn't it Ask. Why don't you have a bash at converting him? lol

[marwel7]

Thanks for the answers,but I am still confused.There was a debate on Jeremy Vine about the hijab today and one of the participants kept saying that muslim women were exalted.And yet through no fault of hers Amira becomes used goods and is shunned.Nobody answered about the Masoods,though.

[lmao]

Bobbisox you remind me of Sally Morgan the psychic

[chelle7272]

The Masoods would suffer shame in their community also, because Syed is gay and this is worse than unacceptable in their faith. As they said on last nights show, no-one will touch their food so their business will fail, extended family and the muslim community will turn their backs on them.
Personally I think if anything eastenders is underplaying some elements which could in reality be a lot harsher.

[thetruthhurts]

But of course she could just ditch her family get divorced and marry who she wants, simples.

[lankeela]

Do they only sell their food to muslims then?

[marwel7]

But why should one person's "shame" be passed onto their family? Unless they also share the shame",in this instance are gay which they are not.That makes no sense to me.

[askyourgran]

It is a really wierd carry on with these Muslim families.

lol lardy, he/she's a bit too camp when he's out for that. pity tho.

[MissCommando]

Going off the subject slightly, I wonder if Amira and Syed are still a couple in real life? They were a couple not long after they started on the show. Wonder if anyone knows? I personally think she looks like a transsexual.
I think Syed played the part brilliantly!

[ummmm]

Too many tears for my liking....

[marwel7]

Nobody has really answered my question about the family.Thionking about it I have come up with a theory.Does this sound like it holds water?
As Islam regards homosexuality as being wrong it would be reasonable to suppose that they do not accept the argument that a gay person is born gay.Therefore it would be a choice that the person makes and if they make the wrong choice (to be gay) then it is a fault with their upbringing which would bring shame to their family.
Does that work?