Good Muslim Boy (22 page)

This book is the culmination of the energy and love I have been surrounded by, without
which I couldn’t have even typed the first letter of my own name.

First and foremost, I must thank Hardie Grant for giving me the opportunity to tell
my story and then for their patience, which at times was on par with Prophet Job’s.
Fran, my publisher, who was my first champion, and then Meelee, my editor, for humouring
me even when the writing wasn’t so humorous, and Ronnie and Nikki for all the hard
work as we sprinted to the finish line.

I need to thank my close friends who have been extremely supportive throughout this
process and have also, like my editor, laughed at my jokes even when they were flatter
than a flat white.

Thank you also Salme, Kim and Asal—three young ladies who listened to my story from
start to finish when I returned from Iran. Rain, thank you for your support and enthusiasm
for life. Reza, the not-so-young man, thank you also.

Nicole, your love over the past decade has been honey in a hurricane. Thank you.

Shahin—you are a true mate. Your values and hope in humanity have helped me become
a better man.

I thank my cousins and extended family, who live on different continents due to circumstance,
for their encouragement, love and support.

I thank all my teachers, past and present, for they are the bedrock of my being.

Abbas Arezumand, the first man who introduced me to storytelling.

Michael Rowland, for opening an early door for me and remaining a friend, despite
the fact that I opted out of vegetarianism.

And Tony Ayres—for all his love and incredible, delicate support. Meeting and working
with Tony eventually paved the path to write this memoir and I am eternally grateful.

Andrew Knight. ‘The’ Andrew Knight. Thank you so much for teaching me so much. And
for the heated, cool discussions on the plight of the Essendon Bombers FC.

I give thanks, a special thanks, to John Orscik for being my mentor and friend since
the day I decided to dive into the creative life. Since day one. Walking into TAFTA
changed my life and I will always be indebted to you.

John and Wendy, thank you for all your support throughout the years and being more
than agents—friends, which are rare as yourselves.

I thank Soukena, who is not only the mother of my children but stood by me when buildings
were collapsing and even went as far as shielding me from debris. The sacrifices
you made will never be forgotten.

My family: you are all flowers in my heart garden. I love you all. From Mum who always
found ways to fund creative classes in a war-torn country, to Moe Greene for his
enormously generous heart, to Ali my true brother, to Mona and Roah my sisters, to
Hassan and Hussain my little bros.

Of little ones, Sama, my young daughter—thank you for keeping me accountable and
teaching me care and love. And Sara, who makes me feel alive.

And Dad. He was my confidant, friend and absolute hero.

Osamah Sami
is a failed cricketer and a struggling Muslim. His choice to forge a
career as an artist (actor/writer/comedian) has caused his loved ones terrible anxiety.
His mother would love nothing more than for him to get real employment—at the local
IGA. (If it was good enough for Anh Do, it’s good enough for her son.)

He was born in war-torn Iran to Iraqi parents, and escaped to Australia with his
family when he was a teen. Those experiences moulded him into a confused soul; it
is a miracle he is still entrusted to write and perform.

As a writer, he has completed two feature films:
Ali’s Wedding
^*
, a Muslim romantic
comedy based on the events in this book, and
Be Less Beautiful
, filming in 2016.
He has also written a vague number of plays, co-created and developed the eight-episode
sitcom
Baghdad to the Burbs
, and co-created the web series
2 Refugees and a Blonde
.

On stage he has performed for Belvoir St Theatre Company, Big West, La Mamma, Melbourne
Theatre Company, [email protected], and in over two dozen other independent shows. Osamah
also played the title role in
Saddam the Musical
, which got him deported from the
U.S., having been mistaken for a terrorist. In fairness, he does barrack for AFL
team the Bombers.

He played the lead role in the film
Saved
(directed by Tony Ayres), opposite Claudia
Karvan, and in Dee McLachlan’s award-winning
10 Terrorists!
On television, he has
appeared in the shows
Kick
,
City Homicide, East West 101, Sea Patrol
and
Rush.
Contrary
to popular belief, he has played a terrorist only twice.

Osamah is listed as a ‘notable Australian Muslim’ by the Commonwealth of Australia.
He is currently investigating how this could have occurred, with one of the country’s
top non-Muslim private detectives emptying his bank account. He is also working on
being a better father to his two beautiful daughters.

*
Matchbox Pictures will release the feature film
Ali’s Wedding
, starring Osamah, in
2016.

Published in 2015 by Hardie Grant Books

Hardie Grant Books (Australia)
Ground Floor, Building 1
658 Church Street
Richmond, Victoria 3121
www.hardiegrant.com.au

Hardie Grant Books (UK)
5th & 6th Floor
52–54 Southwark Street
London SE1 1UN
www.hardiegrant.co.uk

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and
copyright holders.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.
Copyright text © Osamah Sami, 2015

A Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available from the catalogue of the National
Library of Australia at
www.nla.gov.au
Good Muslim Boy
eISBN 978 1 74358 321 0

Cover design by Mark Campbell
Weaving by Cathy Tipping
Text design by Patrick Cannon