The Infidel

During a clear-out of his recently deceased mother's house, Mahmud discovers an adoption certificate that reveals his birth name Solly Shimshillewitz. He learns his biological parents were Jewish, which shocks him and challenges his long-held prejudices. The revelation deepens his internal conflict between his Muslim identity and this newfound Jewish lineage.

In a heated exchange with his American Jewish neighbor, Lenny Goldberg, Mahmud reveals his ethnicity and birth name. Lenny mentions the name Izzy Shimshillewitz and suggests he might be Mahmud's biological father, planting the seed of a possible family connection. The idea unsettles Mahmud and pushes him to pursue the truth.

Mahmud tracks the potential father to a Jewish old age home and tries to visit. A rabbi refuses him entry, warning that Izzy would be shocked to see his Muslim son and advising Mahmud to study how to act more like a Jew first.

Lenny agrees to teach Mahmud about being Jewish, including dancing like Topol and learning basic Yiddish. Their frequent trips to Lenny's house raise suspicion from Mahmud's family, especially after a kippah is spotted at a Free Palestine rally.

On television, Mahmud publicly burns the kippah in a dramatic gesture, claiming to reject Zionism. The act triggers anger and embarrassment among his family and community, while his attempt at solidarity with Jewish friends backfires.

Mahmud attends a Bar Mitzvah with Lenny and unintentionally delivers a crude joke in broken Yiddish. The crowd's laughter creates an awkward moment that complicates his quest for acceptance and belonging.

Mahmud and Lenny try again to see Izzy, but the rabbi still refuses entry because he cannot recite the Sh'ma or name the Five Books of Moses in Hebrew.

Mahmud's bitter argument with Lenny ends as he returns home to find Arshad, Uzma, and their friends waiting; Arshad, impressed by Mahmud's supposed devotion after the TV stunt, blesses Rashid and Uzma's union. Police, the media, and a crowd of angry Jews and supportive Muslims arrive to arrest Mahmud for burning the kippah. In a desperate moment, he proclaims that he is Jewish, seemingly exonerating himself, and Arshad leaves with Uzma.

Mahmud's family rejects him, and a colleague at work resigns in response to the scandal. He descends into despair and turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism, further isolating himself from both communities.

Lenny, who saw Mahmud's news announcement, helps him reconnect with his past. Mahmud goes to the old age home to demand to see his father but learns Izzy has already died. Inside Izzy's room he discovers a video of his own announcement, and a sticker bearing the name 'Solly' shows that Izzy did remember him.

At Arshad's next rally, Mahmud delivers a speech on behalf of himself, Jewish citizens and Muslims. He reveals that Arshad is actually Gary Page, who staged his own death after a racist rant, resurfacing with a new identity. Arshad escapes from the rally in his old Gary Page clothes.

Rashid and Uzma are married in a ceremony attended by both Muslims and Jews, symbolizing reconciliation. Lenny has taken a job with the mostly-Muslim taxi firm where Mahmud works, underscoring a new era of cross-community ties.