Shaykh-Mate

2014 - 2019 in the Czech Republic was a period of threats from extremists. A few converts went to Syria for Jihad, someone published extremists books in the heart of the capital while a leader in the Muslim community called the Muslims to arm themselves after the New Zealand mosque attacks, along with protests against the Islamization of the country, and the police raid of a mosque in the capital. Our story takes place in this period, in Prague, fall of 2018. Discreetly seeking to recover from his bad experience with ideological conflicts and his intolerant past, ABDALLAH WASSIFI starts a new quiet life as an agent at a multinational call center in Prague. Meanwhile, an association with fundamentalist ideas reaches the leadership of the small Muslim community and takes over the management of a new mosque in Prague, despite internal conflicts between two radical movements... or between immigrants and local converts. Amidst the fast spread of radical thoughts and the protests rejecting the radicalization of society, Abdallah receives a call that reminds him of his past as an Imam or Shaykh. Since then, Abdallah has struggled with his memories. RADIM BILEK and JAROSLAV JANACEK investigate the relationship of some members of the association with the Muslim Brotherhood and with some converts who went to Syria for Jihad. The two security agents, who know Abdallah’s real identity, try to persuade him to cooperate in protecting innocent people at the mosque from the dangerous growth of radicalism. Abdallah insists on not interfering. But when his very neighbor, retired professor MARIE KRAUS, tells him that her son is a terrorist and that her brother is about to lead a protest to support his nephew, Abdallah has to make a difficult decision: To save the peaceful life, for which he left his home and career, or to stand between contending radicals and go back into trouble. We don’t know where Abdallah goes when he walks with his dog at the end, but we can be sure that his role is not yet over, as the extremist who orchestrated the conflict, ABU ZIYAD, also disappears after seeing Abdallah spoil his plan. ________ Main characters: Real names have been changed. Abdallah Wassifi - 30s. An agent at a call center, leading a quiet life. He chose the Czech Republic to recover from his past. Abdallah would never talk about this because he has changed and has become a new person with a different style, even with a shorter beard and long curly hair. Disconnected from his clerical diary of the past few years, filled with sectarian conflicts, ideological disputes, and exorcism sessions, Abdallah enjoys discovering new things in life and is happy to see the world from a different angle. But soon, when the threat of extremism reaches his new home, Abdallah will struggle with his memories, and once again, he has to face the radicals. Ahmad Abu Muhammad - A middle-aged businessman from the Middle East who moved to the Czech Republic years ago. President of the Islamic Association that controls the new mosque of Prague. Ahmad and a few other members of the association are suspected of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood Movement, which makes the association a subject of security investigations, and puts the mosque, the Muslim community, and the entire society at risk of conflicts, schism, and even violent confrontations. Ahmad was elected president because of his strong personality and charisma, also, because he speaks the Czech language, and for his relations in some Gulf and Western European countries, where leaders and supporters of his Movement are based. Marie Kraus - A retired Czech university professor and Abdallah’s neighbor, although all she knows about him for a long time is the delicious food he shares with her. Marie looks apprehensive about Abdallah, maybe because she is a lonely old lady who cannot easily trust people, especially foreigners, or because she is trying to hide her grief for her son behind a strong and proud face. Marie drastically changes after she learns the true identity of Abdallah. Maybe because the story of Abdallah reminds her of her son, or she wants to show sympathy to a young immigrant, or maybe she had hope that Abdallah could help her son. But most importantly, she and Abdallah will have a few deep conversations. Jaroslav Janacek and Radim Bilek - Two middle-aged policemen leading investigations about the Islamic Association and also investigated the Jihadist Yusuf. Officer Janacek is Bilek’s assistant. He is more friendly. Bilek and Janacek try to earn trust and cooperation from some of the people of the mosque. Also, to convince Abdallah to help the community stand against the domination of extremists. Alena - 20s, Eastern European, the new agent at the call center who needs the assistance of her experienced colleagues. Alena appreciates the kind help of Abdallah and gradually becomes interested in him. But soon, Alena understands that she cannot go closer to him.