HALAL MATE is a four-part series that takes viewers into the lives of ordinary Australian Muslims - Afifa, an aspiring soccer player, The Brothahood, a Lebanese rap group, Houssam, a Halal butcher, and Margie, an ex-Irish Catholic Collingwood supporter. Grappling with issues large and small – from finding true love to getting a driver’s license – HALAL MATE follows this diverse group as they work, fall in love, play sport, and chase their dreams and ambitions while living by the code of Islam in downtown Melbourne.  HALAL MATE premieres on Friday, June 12 at 9 pm (SIN/HK). Encores air on Sunday at 6 pm.

HALAL MATE challenges some popular misconceptions about Muslim Australians. In contrast to the fear often generated about Islam in news and current affairs programmes, HALAL MATE shows us the normal daily life of these Muslims, who face the same challenges as everyone else.

Afifa is a fun loving, champion soccer player, struck down mid-career with a serious love prospect. The Brothahood is brimming with attitude and energy, excited by the prospect of their music reaching out to the wider world. Houssam is a devout and respected member of the community, a businessman responsible for 30 staff and a growing Halal empire. And Margie is an Aussie convert who is new to Islam and decides to move back to a rural life in country Victoria.

These fascinating characters tell simple yet compelling stories of warmth and passion as they struggle to prioritise career, family and faith, and live their lives with devotion and humility.

HALAL MATE episode descriptions:

Episode 1: Afifa’s Match
Afifa Saad is wrestling with passion. She is a star soccer player in the Premier League but while the game stirs devotion and fervour in Afifa, so does her religion. For Afifa, soccer and Islam are on a collision course.  One passion must be pushed aside but when it is, a new one soon comes knocking. Walid is on holiday from Lebanon and has fallen in love with Afifa. While his country smoulders from recent war, Walid’s visa is ticking down and Afifa has to deal with saying goodbye to another love.

Episode 2: The Brothahood
The Brothahood are four young Muslim men, united by their love of rap music and their dedication to Islam. Speaking to the people in a language they’ll understand, they are determined to break down stereotypes about Muslim youth and their religion. But with their popularity on the rise, their intentions are coming into question. As the Brothahood tinker with success, they must contend with their own desires for success and conservative Muslims who consider modern music unlawful or “haram”.

Episode 3: Love Me Tender
Houssam owns a halal butchery in the heart of Melbourne’s largest Muslim neighbourhood. At 32, he is a devout Muslim, a loving husband and a highly successful businessman. Asghar is from Pakistan and is his longest serving employee. Like Houssam, Asghar spends most of his time working and praying, leaving little room for anything else. But the dedication to work is impacting on both of their lives. Houssam has a looming health issue and at 36, Asghar is still a bachelor. While Houssam struggles with his weight, Asghar waits for his mother in Pakistan to find him a wife.

Episode 4: Changing Teams
Margie is 46, an ex-Catholic of Irish-Anglo descent and a Collingwood supporter. A year ago, she found Islam and has been on a journey of discovery ever since. But Margie’s life is about to take another turn as she moves from multicultural Melbourne to be closer to her sister in a small dairy town in country Victoria. As Margie adjusts to rural life, those around her also need to adjust to Margie’s newfound faith.