A STUDY GUIDE by Katy Marriner

http://www.metromagazine.com.au

http://www.theeducationshop.com.au ing scantily-dressed women to uncovered meat. But Dave is determined to uncover the man behind the controversy, and attempt to better understand Islam and Australian–Muslim culture in the process. To make Dave’s experience more authentic, Sheik Hilaly insists that he observe all Muslim practices. This includes praying five times a day, attend- ing mosque and not eating his usual breakfast of bacon and eggs. Dave is also expected to follow Sheik Hilaly’s rules when it comes to hygiene. It doesn’t take long for Dave to realize that his immersion experience is not going to be without some very personal challenges.

To gain a better understanding of the Islamic com- munity in Australia, Dave speaks to Sheik Hilaly’s good friend, boxer Anthony Mundine, about his conversion. He also speaks to a newly married couple about relationships and to a young woman about freedom of choice. In a bid to find out why some Australians are so afraid of Islam, Dave trav- This study guide to accompany Embedded with Sheik els to Camden in south-west where earlier Hilaly, a documentary by Red Ithaka Productions, this year, locals rejected a plan to build a Muslim has been written for secondary students. It provides school. There, Dave meets with anti-Islamic activist Katie McCullough, a woman who caused a bit of a information and suggestions for learning activities in stir of her own when she voiced her strong opposi- English, International Studies, Media, Religion, SOSE tion to Muslims living in her community. and curriculum projects exploring cultural identity. Back in Lakemba, Dave and the Sheik’s unconven- tional relationship blossoms and it seems the pair iven the need for curriculum to be cultur- are becoming unlikely friends. But all this could ally inclusive, Embedded with Sheik Hilaly end when, over a cup of ‘man tea’, Dave decides Gprovides students with the opportunity to to confront Sheik Hilaly about the comments that understand and value the Australian-Muslim com- made him infamous. munity. Embedded with Sheik Hilaly is an observational Embedded with Sheik Hilaly is one of three episodes documentary that relies on the comical moments from the Embedded series, where young Austral- created by a clash of cultures to examine some of ians from a variety of backgrounds are placed into the bigger issues that have divided, and continue very different cultures in an attempt to bridge racial to divide, the Muslim community from the rest of divides. Australia.

Synopsis Using Embedded with Sheik Hilaly in the classroom ‘Is Islam really a threat to the Australian way of life? Dave is about to find out … ’ Teachers may select from the following activities to support students’ viewing and close analysis of Dave Zwolenski is twenty-six years old and white. Embedded with Sheik Hilaly. Sheik Hilaly is He likes girls, drinking beer and eating bacon. the ex-Mufti of Raised a Catholic, these days Dave prefers to stay Before viewing the documentary away from religion altogether. Sheik Taj el-din al Australia who Hilaly is sixty-six, Egyptian-born and very Muslim. • Spend time defining and discussing the made national He likes praying and drinking ‘man tea’ (his own students’ understanding of the following key special blend). Together, Dave and the Sheik form concepts and terms: headlines for an odd couple, but for the next few weeks they are • Islam his comments going to be inseparable. • Muslim • Racism SCREEN EDUCATION comparing Arriving at Sheik Hilaly’s house in the Sydney sub- • Extremism scantily-dressed urb of Lakemba, Dave is a little apprehensive about • Tolerance what the next few weeks may have in store. Sheik • Do you think public perceptions of Muslims are women to Hilaly is, after all, the ex-Mufti of Australia who fair or are they discriminatory? Why? uncovered meat. made national headlines for his comments compar- • Muslims in Australia are an ethnically, linguisti- 2 About the Filmmakers Michaela Perske – Executive Producer Michaela Perske is an award-winning journalist and producer. Perske pro- duced radio features, weekly programs and daily radio before making the transition to film. Her credits include Footy Chicks (Rebecca Barry, 2006), Inspiring Teachers and Making Babies. Gary Doust – Writer / Director Gary Doust began his career in the film and television industry working as assistant editor on the popular televi- sion show Beyond 2000. His credits as a filmmaker include Parking Patrol Officer 808 (1999), Murbah Swamp Beer (2002) Making Venus cally and culturally diverse group. At the time • Did Embedded with Sheik Hilaly challenge (2002), Battle of the Brains of the 2006 Census, there were more than your views and values? and Great White Hunters (2008). Doust is also the 340,000 Muslims in Australia, of whom 128,904 • Why is Embedded with Sheik Hilaly a timely Co-Founder and Director of were born in Australia. In addition to production? Popcorn Taxi. and Turkey, the other major source countries are Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq Director’s statement Dave Zwolenski – Co-Writer / Presenter and Indonesia. In the last three decades, many Muslims have migrated to Australia under It became apparent very early on that no matter In his early twenties, Dave refugee or humanitarian programs, and from what perspective or point of view this film took on Zwolenski spent much of his time travelling through African countries such as Somalia and Sudan. the subject of Islam, it was going to create contro- Europe as a backpacker. This Australia’s Muslim communities are now pre- versy. As early as pre-production, when we were journey gave him an interest dominantly concentrated in Sydney and Mel- researching the film, one reader of Sydney’s inner in global events. Upon his bourne. Since the 1970s, Muslim communities western newspaper The Torch responded harshly return to Australia he began have built many mosques and Islamic schools to a press interview I did, questioning a quote I pursuing this interest, as well as his passion for film and and have made significant contributions to the made stating that ‘not all Muslims were terror- writing. With no professional multicultural fabric of Australian society. ists’. While I think this reader would have a very training, Dave has somehow Find out more at and reader’s main point was to criticize a film that they director, camera operator,

Lakemba

I’m not quite sure what to expect. – Dave

Dave decides to spend time in Lakemba, a suburb in Sydney’s south-west. Lakemba has earned the nickname ‘the Muslim capital of Australia’ because it is home to more than a quarter of the country’s Muslim population.

• Based on what the camera lets you see, write a description of Lakemba.

dence from the documentary. Themes: As Dave strolls down a busy Lakemba street, he • Select one of the themes explored by Em- discovers that bringing a camera crew wasn’t a Culture bedded with Sheik Hilaly and work with other good idea. A cameraman is hit by one of the locals students to develop a multimedia presentation Faith who objects to the crew’s presence. offering your group’s stories about this theme. Identity • Why do you think the locals are wary of the Close Analysis Self-respect media?

Dave Racism The Sheik showed me around his hometown where Tolerance he was treated more like a rock star than a religious I’m Dave, I’m twenty-six, I live in Brisbane and I’m leader. I felt like a groupie. – Dave pretty white. I went to a Catholic school but these days God’s not really my thing. That’s my banjo – I • Dave and the crew return to the streets of suck at it. This is me and my mates playing extreme Lakemba but this time with Sheik Hilaly. What golf. I like girls. My great-grand-uncle died of an happens? excitement-induced heart attack the day before • Sheik Hilaly has lived in Lakemba for twenty- we met so I kind of killed the guy. I don’t have any eight years. He tells Dave that outside of Lakem- photos of that; that’d be weird. I have this talent – I ba his ‘feelings change’. Were you surprised by can count the letters in words really fast. Muslim, this admission? Is this admission evidence that six. That’s pretty much all I know about Muslims, the divide between Islamic and non-Islamic com- apart from what I’ve seen on the tele. munities in Australia must be addressed? ‘I’m Dave, I’m • How would you introduce Dave? Begin your Sheik Taj el-din al Hilaly description with the words, ‘This is Dave … ’ twenty-six, I live in Brisbane He’s the guy who made national headlines when he As part of Dave’s Muslim experience, Sheik Hilaly compared scantily clad women to uncovered meat. insists that Dave must observe all Muslim prac- and I’m pretty – Dave SCREEN EDUCATION tices. white.’ Born in Egypt, Sheik Hilaly stepped down as • Do you think Dave’s judgements of Islamic – Dave Australia’s Grand Mufti in 2007 but continues as an customs and practices show him to be cultur- Zwolenski imam and spiritual advisor of . ally egocentric? 4 • Who is Sheik Hilaly? Use the internet to find out more about Sheik Hilaly. Share your findings with the class. • Find out the meaning of the terms: imam, mufti At the mosque and grand mufti. • How has Hilaly been portrayed by the media? Any mosque you go to on a Friday in Australia In what ways does the documentary challenge you’ll find this problem. And yet we have such a this view? Do you think the documentary gives terrible difficulty with councils to get a permit for a Sheik Hilaly’s public image a makeover? new place of worship. We can’t cater for the exist- • What does Dave learn about Sheik Hilaly? ing Muslims at the moment. – Keysar • To understand what being a Muslim is really like, Dave lives with Sheik Hilaly. What does Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Sheik Hilaly’s home tell you about Sheik Hilaly Dave cannot dispute this given the number of men and the way he lives his life? that arrive for the Friday congregational prayer. ‘Any mosque • It seemed like Taj and I were on the same page with some of the bigger issues. – Dave • What do you notice as you watch the scenes at you go to Were you surprised by Sheik Hilaly’s political Lakemba mosque? on a Friday views? • What understanding of devotion do these • Next on the list of requirements to be a good scenes offer? in Australia Muslim is humility. Taj reckoned I was in need of you’ll find this some humbling … and coincidentally the toilets It is compulsory for Muslims to pray five times a day at the mosque needed cleaning. – Dave in the direction of Mecca. This proves challenging for problem. And Sheik Hilaly disguises his appearance and Dave. Dave doesn’t believe in God and he’s not used yet we have heads to the mosque where he does some to rising at 4.30am to prepare for 5am prayer. cleaning. Keysar explains, ‘Most people in the such a terrible community, if they see him they won’t let him • Drawing on the following statements, discuss difficulty with do it; they will do it themselves.’ what Dave learns about belief during his time in Were you surprised by Sheik Hilaly’s show of Lakemba. councils to get humility? a permit for a It was early, and I was having a tough enough Keysar time remembering my name, let alone the Ko- new place of ranic verses required for Islamic prayer. – Dave worship. We Keysar Trad is the Sheik’s part time translator and media advisor. It was time for the midday prayer. I explained can’t cater for that me and God weren’t really on speaking the existing • What words would you use to describe Keysar? terms, but the Sheik encouraged me to try to • Writing as Keysar, prepare a press release to embrace my spiritual side. – Dave Muslims at the SCREEN EDUCATION publicize Sheik Hilaly’s participation in Embed- moment.’ ded with Sheik Hilaly. I’d never had a problem with people believing in whatever they want, so I was a little disap- – Keysar Trad pointed that these guys weren’t really accepting of my right not to believe. – Dave 5 Amongst the good Muslims there are the radi- cal ones, and that’s the problem. I don’t hate them. I hate the ideology. I feel very strongly because I am scared for my children. – Katie Use these claims to initiate a discussion about why Katie objects to Muslims moving to Cam- den? Do you think she is well-informed? • Read media reports from the time at , , and . • What’s wrong with wanting to educate children To understand why somebody would want to in accordance with their religious principles? convert to Islam, Sheik Hilaly arranges for Dave to • Make a list of arguments for and against the meet up with his good friend and high profile con- building of an Islamic school. Divide the class vert, boxing champ Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine. into an affirmative and negative team and de- Against his better judgement Dave reluctantly ac- bate the topic: ‘That Camden was not the place cepts a challenge to spar with Mundine in the ring. for an Islamic school.’ Mundine • Okay, well, that’d be great if westernized people Mundine converted to Islam in 2000 after be- and Muslims could live together. I couldn’t converted to ing inspired by the teachings of Malcolm X. An hope for more. But I’m a realist. Just by having Islam after increasing number of young Aboriginals have their own school, they’re not learning to mix. followed in his footsteps, finding a connection with They don’t want our culture. That’s where deep being inspired the religion. down I can’t change my mind because they’re by the teachings the racists. They’re the ones who can’t accept. • How does Anthony Mundine explain his con- – Katie of Malcolm X. version? Katie asks Dave if he thinks that she is a racist. An increasing How does he reply? Do you think his response Katie McCulloch is valid? number • Dave tells Katie, ‘fear and ignorance equals of young Muslims do not fit in this town. – Katie racism’. Do you agree?

Aboriginals With Islam expanding so rapidly, Dave travels to Adam and Shorouk are finding a Camden in an attempt to learn why some Austral- ians are fearful of the religion. The Camden locals What’s the deal with men and women in Islam? connection with recently rejected a plan to build a Muslim school I’d read that social contact between Muslims who the religion. in the suburb. Dave meets up with anti-Muslim are unmarried or unrelated is frowned upon, so I SCREEN EDUCATION activist Katie McCulloch, who shares her concerns wondered how they even hook up in the first place. about Muslims moving to Camden. – Dave

• They don’t want to accept our culture. Dave attends an Islamic wedding. Sheik Hilaly 6 marries Adam Dib and Shorouk Jodeh using the ‘It’s good to Nazeen powers given to him under Sharia law. This is the know that Taj first time that Adam and Shorouk will be permit- To find out more about life as a Muslim woman, ted to spend time alone. Adam is eighteen and doesn’t actually Dave meets Nazeen Rheeman. Nazeen is single. Shorouk is nineteen. expect us to Dave can’t resist flirting. • The bride’s father tells Dave, ‘love is not every- all live by their Nazeen and Dave do not shake hands because thing’. What does Dave think? rules, but if they are not related by blood or by marriage. The physical distance that Nazeen keeps putting After the wedding, Dave visits Adam and Shorouk explaining between them disconcerts Dave. She steps away to talk about their courtship and their marriage. himself is always when he steps toward her. Dave admits to being at odds with Islamic prac- tices with regard to courtship. that difficult, • Nazeen has been Muslim all her life but only what hope chose to wear a headscarf four years ago. I’m probably one of those people who doesn’t Nazeen tells Dave, ‘See, I would want someone understand, cause in our culture there’s a lot of – I does an average that likes me to like me for what I am, not how guess you could say – kind of try before you buy. Australian hot I look.’ For Nazeen wearing a headscarf is – Dave an expression of both modesty and empower- have of ment. Does Dave understand her decision? • What does Adam think of Dave’s ‘try before you understanding • How does Nazeen’s Islamic faith shape her buy’ attitude to courtship? identity and support her search for purpose in where Muslims life? One of the most enduring perceptions of Islamic like Taj are • Why do you think the filmmakers decided that countries is that Muslim women are oppressed, Dave and Nazeen would meet at a shopping especially within marriage. The hijab, the head cov- coming from?’ centre? ering worn by Muslim women across the world, is – Dave perceived by many as a symbol of Muslim women’s Making headlines oppression. Zwolenski It’s good to know that Taj doesn’t actually expect • Dave is uncertain about Shorouk’s decision us to all live by their rules, but if explaining himself to wear a hijab. Like Dave, are you confused? is always that difficult, what hope does an average SCREEN EDUCATION He discusses his uncertainty with Adam and Australian have of understanding where Muslims Shorouk. What does this exchange reveal? like Taj are coming from? – Dave • What do Adam and Shorouk teach Dave about relationships? Did their comments cause you to Sheik Hilaly provoked criticism in 2006 for report- question your attitudes? edly preaching that some women are attracting 7 sexual assault through the way they dress I’m sorry, that’s the only explanation Production Values and their actions. He was reported as we have. Whether you accept it or not saying that women who do not wear the is up to you. – Keysar • Why do you think the filmmakers hijab, or headdress, are like ‘uncovered Do you think the media sensational- decided to name the documentary meat’. ized the issue? Embedded with Sheik Hilaly? • Dave insists that all he wants is an • Embedded with Sheik Hilaly begins While Keysar Trad defended Sheik Hilaly, explanation. What does Sheik Hilaly with a photo slideshow introducing claiming the mufti’s comments were taken offer as an explanation? Dave to the documentary’s audience out of context, a former member of the and then cuts to news footage and Federal Government’s Muslim Advisory Goodbye sound bites highlighting the public’s board, Iktimal Hage-Ali, said Sheikh perception of Islam. Did you find Hilaly should be stripped of his position. My time living as a Muslim had almost the opening sequence engaging? The Federal Treasurer of the time, Peter come to an end. Despite our differences, What expectations does the opening Costello, condemned the Sheik’s reported I’d grown to like the Sheik. Maybe we sequence create? How are you posi- comments. Pru Goward, who was the were even becoming friends. The streets tioned as a viewer? Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, of Lakemba no longer felt so scary either • Dave is narrator, interviewer and par- contributed to the controversy by claim- and I wondered if my experience meeting ticipant. Make a comment about the ing Sheik Hilaly was guilty of incitement to Taj is a small crack in the wall that sepa- way he manages his different roles in the crime of rape and should be deport- rates Muslims and the rest of us. Maybe Embedded with Sheik Hilaly. ed. The Australian Federal Police Com- if we take the time to know them a little • In what ways is Embedded with Sheik missioner, Mick Keelty, claimed the furore bit better, they might not feel like such a Hilaly different to other documentaries over comments attributed to the Sheik threat. – Dave that you have watched? might damage relations with the Islamic • Examine the narrative structure of community. • What words would you use to de- Embedded with Sheik Hilaly. Discuss scribe Dave and Sheik Hilaly’s rela- how the documentary tells the story of Dave finds the courage to ask Sheik Hilaly tionship? Dave’s immersion experience. and Keysar about Sheik Hilaly’s notori- • At the end of his stay with Sheik Hilaly • Many will ask, did we capture the real ous sermon. The conversation doesn’t does Dave have a better understand- Hilaly on tape, or was his performance progress all that well. Sheik Hilaly and ing of Islam and Australian–Muslim a PR exercise? Throughout shooting Keysar insist that the media release says culture? Do you? and living with Hilaly, I never observed it all and that there is no need for further • Do you think Dave has changed? any hint of him altering his personal- comment. Dave is persistent, reminding • Dave asks Sheik Hilaly, ‘So what ity for the camera. When the cameras Sheik Hilaly, ‘you said to me once that it’s do you see as a future for Muslims were off, he was equally as welcoming part of a Muslim’s obligation to clarify, you in Australia? Where are we going to us and others around him. know, misunderstandings.’ to be in twenty years time? What’s – Gary Doust the dream?’ How does Sheik Hilaly Do you think the filmmakers have • Read media reports from the time at respond? Do you think others share captured the real Sheik Hilaly? , , Sheik I never thought that I could be a relied on humour to explore such a and Sheik I never thought that we’d be friends, • Do you think Embedded with Sheik . Sheik I’ll miss you and everything I think • Why do you think the filmmakers finish • In the Arabic language, when you use you stand for, with Dave’s song? Do you think this is a metaphor, you don’t dissect. You Sheik I’d like to think you’ll miss me too, an effective way to resolve the story take the moral lesson from the entire Sheik we live down under but underneath told by Embedded with Sheik Hilaly? metaphor. we’re both the same, • Working as a class and by drawing on … it’s highly offensive for anyone to Sheik don’t hate the player be sure to moments and aspects of the docu- suggest that a religion as great as respect the game, mentary, make a list of the challenges Islam would condone rape. And for Sheik when they ask me what did I think of filming Embedded with Sheik Hilaly. them to even think that, shows that of him, they are not treating us with the ben- Sheik I will tell them he put the us back Extended responses efit of the doubt. – Keysar into Muslim, for me. SCREEN EDUCATION Is Keysar too defensive? The following topics could be discussed • Now what’s happened is that the me- • What does Dave’s song ‘You Put via written text responses, debates, panel dia have come out and said, ‘we don’t the Us into Muslim’ tell us about the discussions and online forums: want to accept that explanation’. Well impact of his immersion experience? 8 • Embedded with Sheik Hilaly is an Review are presented. What do you notice important social document. Do you about the language used to report agree? As hard as Zwolenski engages with the the issue? Does the language of the • The priority of Embedded with Sheik participants, the investigation doesn’t articles stereotype Islamic Australians Hilaly is to promote understanding progress beyond the standard of a high or does it challenge the community of and tolerance. Do you think the docu- school essay. And we’re no wiser about suspicion that damns Islamic Austral- mentary achieves this priority? the misogynist/racist/eccentric/comedian ians? Draw conclusions about the role • Do you think Embedded with Sheik cleric or the differences between the of the media in influencing community Hilaly encourages a greater under- Islamic and non-Islamic community than perceptions of Islamic Australians. standing of the challenges of being when we started … In its own pithy and Muslim in Australia? irreverent way, this culture-clash docu- Crossing the divide mentary winds up entrenching prejudices Keeping the faith and ignorance, rather than furthering our • If you had the chance would you fol- understanding of an important topic. low Dave’s example? Studying different religions and examin- – Paul Kalina, ‘The Mufti and Me’, • What divide would you cross? Why? ing the relationship between religion and The Age, 18 September 2008 • Working with a group of peers, make culture provides an increased awareness your own short film about the decision of the world you live in. • Do you agree with Paul Kalina’s review to cross a divide. of Embedded with Sheik Hilaly? Use • Write a treatment for your film and Working with a partner, identify the the internet to source other reviews. a screenplay. Delegate the various fundamental beliefs of the Islamic faith, Discuss the reviews with others in the production roles and begin filming. then become an expert on how one of the class. When your film is finished, organize a beliefs shapes the culture of an Islamic • Write your own review of Embedded screening and invite other members of community and the lives of individuals with Sheik Hilaly. the school community to attend. within the community. In the news References Use PowerPoint to present the results of your investigation. • Collect a range of newspaper arti- Embedded with the Sheik post-produc- cles about the issues facing Islamic tion script, 2008 Australians. For each article, name the issue and state the views that Embedded with the Sheik press kit, 2008

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