The proud daughter of a pious Muslim holy man, Mrs. Kirsha—whose kunya is Umm Hussain—is approaching fifty, and is strong, courageous, and sharp tempered. She has born six daughters and one son. Long ago she nursed the orphaned Hamida alongside her Hussain, but now criticizes the young woman. Umm Hussain's greatest worry is that her husband has returned to his "filthy disease" of homosexuality. She resolves to take decisive action, despite the consequences.