What if two Muslim girls disappear from the smallest community in Texas?

SYNOPSIS:

http://www.magicalrealism.us/2014/07/06/mosque-west-pecos/ Mosque West of the Pecos is a feature length crime-drama set in Loving County, Texas. PLOT SUMMARY Aara and Rasha are the daughters of Egyptian immigrant Aziz Kaphiri and American Patricia O’Donald. Both girls were born in Dallas, Texas. They relocated to far West Texas before entering school. Now, 17 and 18 year olds, the girls have disappeared New Year’s Eve after staying out late the night before. Townspeople claim having seen them leaving their home with their father, New Years Day. Their father claims to have put them on a bus to their grandmother’s home in Kansas. Their mother, who has moved out of state, claims both girls were killed for having non-Muslim boyfriends. Death threats had been made by Kaphiri against the girls. The previous month, the girls ran away and were safe, but their grandmother brought them back. Kaphiri is arrested with his Egyptian passport and $4,000 apparently leaving town. The Sheriff and his staff focus on resolution of the mystery. The Muslims’ debate the question of morality and who influenced the girl father. The other members of the small town debate about innocent and guilt. Few question the girl’s boyfriends. And, clearly the girl might have run away again. The mystery triggers several power struggles between divisions of the police; government and the area’s religious leaders. LOVING COUNTY As of the 2010 census, the population was 82, making it the least populous county in the United States. The high school plays six-man football. Owing partly to its small and dispersed population, it also has the highest median per capita and household income of any county in Texas. The county has no incorporated communities; its county seat and only community is Loving. Part of the Haley Ranch, founded by the father of Texas historian J. Evetts Haley, is in Val Verde County, with another portion in a neighboring county. SUSPECTS AND VICTIMS Aziz Kaphiri, Egyptian and father of two teenage girls. He is explosive and religious. He has threatened his daughters with death if they continue to live like the decadent Americans. He almost always wears sunglasses, both indoors and outside. Said almost always carries a weapon, including knives, and is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Aara and Rasha daughters of Aziz disappear and the chief suspect is there father. It is speculated that it was an honor killing. The girls’ American-born mother has fled with them months earlier to Kansas, fearing her husband’s wrath. They have been returned to Texas by their paternal grandmother. Perhaps a bit “boy crazy”, they long for the lifestyle of a regular rural Texas teenager – music, clothes and freedom. POLICE AND OTHER OFFICIALS Walt Tilghman is the long-time sheriff of Val Verde County. Laconic and introspective with a strong sense of duty and justice, his character is a throwback to the iconic lone hero of classical Westerns. Walt is a Marine and Vietnam Veteran. Victoria “Vic” Ikard is a sheriff’s deputy and former Detroit Police Department homicide detective. Joe Blue Duck is a Comanche who is Walt’s best friend and confidant. Their friendship goes back to their early school days together. Katy Tilghman is Walt’s daughter and an local attorney. County Judge Ann Bartosz supports the Muslim community in return for their votes. She is primarily concerned with maximizing the perks of her office and minimizing the amount of work that she actually has to do. The disappearance of the two girl threatens to upset her little fiefdom. RELIGIOUS LEADERS Amaar Rashidi, formerly a big shot lawyer from Dallas, he finds a new calling as a cleric and answers an ad to become imam at Mercy’s mosque. He does this despite the dismay of his family. He tends to support liberal movements within Islam, sometimes putting him in conflict with the more conservative Muslims in the community. Rev. Duncan McGrath, is the preacher at the local Baptist Church. It is the only protestant church in the county. He is a good friend to Amaar and the two often turn to each other for help. They are the bridge between the two communities. Father Alvaro Corcuera, priest at the Catholic Church. The three religious leaders each breakfast at a café every Saturday morning as a measure of solidarity. MUSLIM COMMUNITY Yasir Umblai is a road contractor who has donated his business for a mosque. He still uses part of the mosque as an office. He is a practical man who seeks compromise. He is committed to Islam but is also an opportunist and not, as his daughter might put it, “a good Muslim.” Yasir is a card-carrying member of the Republican Party of Texas, although more for the networking opportunities than out of any particular interest in being politically active. Sarah Umblai, a former Anglican, she converted to Islam when she married Yasir. Like her husband, she struggles with Muslim customs and regulations and is often shown up by their more pious daughter, Rayyan. Baber Shia-Agil, a retired college economics professor and the most conservative member of the Muslim community in Mercy, he acted as the imam prior to Amaar’s arrival. His conservatism often conflicts with the wishes of his teenage daughter Layla, although he loves her dearly. He calls most non-Muslims “imbeciles” and “infidels”, although it is rather obvious that he is not any sort of dangerous fanatic but just a harmless old grump. Fatima Ta’anari is the conservative immigrant and the widowed owner of a cafe/diner. She is spirited and enjoys engaging in verbal sparring matches, frequently with Fred Tupper, the local bigot and radio “shock jock” who ironically has a crush on her. Her culinary expertise is recognized by all the residents, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. More often than not, this is used to underline just how much good food can create a bridge over cultural barriers. Unfortunately the café is the center of the debate about the girl’s disappearance. Rayyan Umblai, Yasir and Sarah’s daughter, is a doctor. She follows Islamic feminism, keeps the sartorial hijab, and takes her religion very seriously. She is the only doctor in the county. The nearest doctor is 1 hour drive. Layla Shia-Agil is Baber’s daughter and a portrait of an average teenage Muslim girl struggling to find the right balance between her desire to be a good Muslim and her desire to be normal. Junaid Jaffer, also known as J.J., Son of Amaar has lived his entire life in Dallas. He is an urbane, handsome and computer savy teenager. The only Muslim boy 200 miles, he lives in an area with three young Muslim girls. He can be indecisive and is conflicted which girl (Layla, Aara or Rasha) he is most interested in. Aara or Rasha have had non-Muslim boyfriends. REPORTERS Fred Crone is the local loudmouth and the host of a talk show on the local radio station, he often equates Muslims to terrorists who want to take over the country. However, at times he finds himself in the awkward position of siding with the Muslim community. Joe Green is a local farmer and a perpetually trouble-making sidekick of Fred Crone. Basically a stereotypical rancher, he mostly hates everyone, except Fred. He is an old conservative rancher on the brink of bankruptcy because of a combination of the government and the drought. Natalie Mueller is the editor and reporter for the local newspaper. She has a very Zen attitude to her job as the main news source of Texas least populated county. She is a good friend of Amaar. BOYFRIENDS Tony is a football hero and future U.S. Army Ranger. He is the son of a wealthy rancher. He is Rasha’s boyfriend. Jack built the only skateboard park in 500 miles. He is the son of the school librarian. He is Aara’s boyfriend.

MOSQUE WEST OF THE PECOS

http://www.magicalrealism.us/2014/07/06/mosque-west-pecos/