House of Gods

With so many people watching on iView and giving episodes ten out of ten, I thought that at some of those people would put their opinions into a user review, yet I find that I am the first one.

Those not of the Islamic faith might be put off by a series that dramatises the political struggles for control of an Australian mosque. I struggled to stay interested in the characters for the first two episodes. I hoped to be enlightened but I found myself being confirmed in my attitudes towards both the religion and the nationalities who follow it.

The acting is of a high standard, especially considering that many are not very experienced.

The pace is very slow. The subtitles often get lost in the background which is not good if you don't speak Arabic.

This is a series that might be better placed on SBS. This is not suitable for prime time on a Sunday night and I expect that the ratings will show that.

After binge-watching House of Gods, I'm thoroughly impressed by this gripping Australian drama. Set in Western Sydney, it offers a rare and authentic glimpse into the life of a Muslim community, centred around the charismatic Sheikh Mohammad and his family. The show brilliantly weaves together themes of faith, ambition, and family dynamics, creating a complex narrative that kept me engaged throughout.

What struck me most was the nuanced portrayal of characters and their struggles. The tension between traditional values and modern Australian life is palpable, especially in the storylines of Sheikh Mohammad's daughters, Batul and Hind. The series doesn't shy away from tackling controversial topics, from mosque politics to gender equality within the Islamic community. The performances are stellar, particularly Osamah Sami as Isa, whose actions drive much of the plot's intrigue. Overall, House of Gods is a bold, thought-provoking series that offers a fresh perspective on contemporary Australian life. It's not only entertaining but also culturally significant, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for quality drama that pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions.

I really enjoyed this and am surprised it is not higher rated. It's an unusually thoughtful piece - not full of high impact cresendos but instead a very human drama, a slow and quiet unfurling of the stories of a muslim family, an exploration of how their faith & community both inspires them and limits them. The characters are well drawn, all surprisingly ordinary and relateable despite their context and the dilemmas their faith presents. The relationships are complex and well portrayed,and you sense their points of connection and disconnect, they are a unit but each is living their own indivudual journey. It it not at all a Muslim Sopranos, though the backdrop of that community gives it an interesting and rich slant. It's a complex and layered human drama that anyone could relate to. I hope there's a second series!

How else can we learn about our neighbours? Walk into a mosque? Watch the news? No, intriguing and entertaining drama is really the only way to break the ice and let neighbours in. And this drama does it very well. Some may criticise it for being inaccurate, predictable, melodramatic..... but ultimately it provides an engaging window into a culture that lives amongst us. This is well written, acted, produced and directed. All the cast appear totally authentic, the settings real and the emotional conflicts are universal. Matchbox and ABC obviously put much effort into this production and all should be applauded. A second series would build on this good work. Will that happen? Probably not, but it should.

A series such as this is groundbreaking and so very timely in such a divisive world. I applaud everyone involved with this production - the writers, the wonderful cast and the ABC for supporting it. Programs such as this give our wider diverse population a small window into a culture and a religion many of us do not have access to, or understanding of. Whilst it is a dramatised account, it is a marvellous insight into a small section of an Iraqi expat community we would otherwise have no real knowledge about. The strength of the performances and the depiction of the conflict in interpretation of the will of Allah among its leaders was very interesting and not dissimilar at all to the wider Christian communities who have come into conflict over the centuries regarding the will of their God. Congratulations !