Soap viewers who sat down for a small escape from reality last night were probably taken aback by an incredibly poignant and timely scene aired by Eastenders.
Favourite Tamwar walks in on his girlfriend Nancy, who asks him about the markings on a specific page of The Quran.
The scene, which wasn’t slotted in at the last minute and was actually in the script for weeks, saw Tamwar explain the meaning of the passage – which for him is the ‘true meaning of Islam’.
Reciting the piece in Arabic first, Tamwar continues:
“Do good to relatives, orphans, the needy, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who’s a stranger, to the companion at your side, and to the traveller.
“That to me, is what Islam is about. Be kind to people, family and strangers alike, and love them.”
Video: tomtomsatnav1234
Moved by the poignancy of such a relevant scene in light of the attacks, Twitter users shared their appreciation for the care in delivering such a message by the show:
I think Tamwar just educated a few on what Islam truly about…well done #Eastenders ??
— Rebecca (@rebeccarigby97) November 16, 2015
#EastEnders verse from Qur’an bravo @BBC1 I am truly overwhelmed perfect timing in these sad and difficult times
— sid siddiqui (@goggleboxsid) November 16, 2015
Quite a lovely moment in #EastEnders as Tamwar explains to Nancy that Islam is about being kind to people. The timing is perfect.
— Alexander Call (@AlexJCall) November 16, 2015
A poignant moment in Eastenders tonight with Tamwar explaining what Islam is really about. I can only hope it helped educate the public
— Alice Nilsen (@alicen7) November 16, 2015
Thanking her co-star, Maddy Hill who plays Nancy on the soap added:
Thanks 4 all ur luvly tweets about the Nancy/ Tam scenes 2nite. They were not topical inserts we filmed them 2 mnths ago. Big up @dominictc
— Maddy Hill (@maddy_hill90) November 16, 2015
