Young Ahmed (Le jeune Ahmed)

YOUNG AHMED

Where are you? We'll be late.

We're two minutes away.

Hurry and text me when you get here.

This is wrong. A minus B...

A squared minus 2 AB plus B squared.

AB squared.

That's it. Good.

Let's see.

Try this one. It could be in the exam.

A minus B, times A plus B, equals A squared...

- My brother. Got to go. - Wait.

- Finish it. A squared... - Minus B squared.

Minus B squared. Okay, you can go.

Now Aniss...

Ahmed!

What about goodbye?

- You still won't shake my hand? - Goodbye.

Why do you go there?

He told you not to shake my hand.

- I'm not a child. - So?

A true Muslim doesn't shake a woman's hand.

Your classmates aren't true Muslims?

No.

Did you see that guy?

He was acting serious, like.

I can't learn my verses!

Shut up, Rachid!

- You have time. - Plus you're trying.

I told my imam I'd know them.

- They're read silently. - Relax.

- He won't hear. - Allah will.

Let me study.

Can't we have a laugh? Give us a break.

Chill.

- It's insulting! - She can't make me!

You shake your teacher's hand!

- She knows it's not allowed. - Who by? Your imam?

No, the Prophet.

Take the couscous.

Tell the Prophet your mom says to.

- Don't make fun. - I'm not.

Madam Inès helped with your dyslexia.

Extra lessons every day.

You read at five, so you shake her hand!

She thinks I'm still five.

She sees that imam brainwashing you.

He makes you pray non-stop.

- I want to. - Not true!

Rachid, a table mat.

A month ago, you played video games.

You've taken down your posters.

You won't wear short sleeves...

It's that imam jerk.

- Enough! - It's not true?

- Don't insult him. - I will if I want.

Ahmed won't be like your cousin.

I don't want that.

- You drunk. - What was that?

Repeat that in French.

Repeat it!

- He said... - No, him!

Repeat what you said.

- He said stop drinking. - He didn't!

I know what you said.

Shame on you, saying that to me.

- What's up? - He called me askarji .

- Don't say that! - She drinks too much!

Only a glass or two.

He doesn't insult you! Apologize!

- Apologize! - You dress like a slut.

I dress how I want!

Apologize!

Let go of him!

Stop it!

Ahmed...

- Ahmed. - I have to pray.

Never say again what you said yesterday.

I try to do my best.

Give me a kiss.

I've done my ablutions. Later.

"Based on cultural heritage"? How?

Songs in Arabic. Hits, she said.

She's an apostate and a blasphemer too.

Learning our Prophet's language in songs is blasphemy.

Go to her meeting and say it's not allowed.

- On Saturday. - It's better if a parent does it.

Ahmed...

I'll ask Driss' sister.

Can you come?

- What time? - Midday.

No, my game's at 11.

Rachid...

Come here.

Your game matters more than fighting a heretic?

What is this bitch's goal?

That we don't learn Arabic from the Qur'an.

And our religion disappears.

We'd merge with the Jews and Crusaders.

Go to the meeting, brother.

Help Driss' sister.

I'm not good at speaking in public.

I have information about her. Just say a few words.

I'll be with you too.

Mosque classes aren't good enough?

I didn't say that. Mosque classes are good.

I want to use songs to expand their vocabulary.

It will teach them Arabic they can use in everyday life.

You're not opposed to the Arabic learned in the Qur'an. I agree.

Where did you learn Arabic?

In the Qur'an, right?

I know.

You're right.

But I can't always understand a manual or the news.

I'm for Madam Inès' class at homework school,

so our children can find jobs using modern Arabic.

That's true.

My brother works in Brussels,

at a hotel where they need Arabic speakers.

Madam...

It's important they learn Arabic in the Qur'an.

It teaches them respect for the Prophet's words.

They must learn young, so it's ingrained.

Thank you, brother.

With the surah, they can pray.

- Inch'Allah . - I agree.

You learn Arabic to be a good Muslim.

Travel and other stuff come later.

It shouldn't prevent...

Your class should be for those over 18.

No, they must learn young, to speak it well. My sister...

They learn in the Qur'an. That's not a good way?

It is. But in Cairo, my sisters' kids learn at the mosque and at school.

They talk about everything and read novels.

Nearly everyone's Muslim there.

Qur'an Arabic keeps our religion alive here.

My class won't prevent them from attending the mosque one.

It'll be at another time.

They'll prefer your music to going to the mosque.

- You exaggerate. - No.

You do.

As parents, we send them to the mosque and to Madam Inès.

I'll do that with mine. I'll send them to both.

The lady's right to say our religion will vanish.

But, Madam Inès...

- You don't care. - What do you mean?

Explain yourself, Rachid.

You don't care because

your new boyfriend is a Jew.

What do you mean, Ahmed?

Ahmed, answer me!

- Where is he? - At his second half.

He's less pious, but he'll follow your example.

Maybe, but he's scared.

Bring me the step ladder.

What if she gives her class?

What would your cousin say to do?

His motto.

- Fight in the way of Allah... - In Arabic.

Fight in the way of Allah

those who fight you and slay them...

...wherever...

...wherever you catch them.

She'd deserve that if the jihad were on.

A French imam on the Net promotes martyrdom.

He's wrong. After a defeat, we wait for new fighters.

Two more packs, then I have a treat for you.

- Another Abou Salah? - No, look.

He's handsome.

They added light to show he was at peace when he died.

Be proud of your cousin.

A pure man.

Can you read it?

And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah, "They are dead."

Nay, they are living...

The apostate.

She called me twice.

Stay here.

Ahmed!

- She'd like to know... - I can talk to him.

Can you step outside?

Your impious words won't block Allah's way.

Come on or your imam will hear.

The Qur'an says we can live in peace with other religions.

My father taught me that and he knew the Qur'an.

The Qur'an says the Jews and Christians oppose us.

No, he says that.

No, the Qur'an. Surah 2, verse 120.

Would you talk about the Qur'an with me?

I can't read it with a woman.

You prefer a lying imam?

- He doesn't lie. - He does lie, Ahmed!

He said you weren't here.

But I saw your backpack.

- He was protecting me. - From me?

From your words against the mosque.

Ahmed...

Come on...

I'll see you at homework school. We'll forget the mosque and handshakes.

Will you come?