TW// Discussion of sexual assault, harassment
Last night’s episode of Jama Taqseem took an incredibly dark turn, sparking an essential conversation about why it’s crucial for parents to hold their sons accountable for toxic behaviour instead of sweeping it under the carpet.
In the episode, Zeeshan is caught by Qais and Laila sexually assaulting Sidra—an act foreshadowed for weeks through repeated warning signs. Viewers had anticipated that this pivotal moment would come, as Zeeshan’s predatory behaviour had been hinted at several times before. Earlier episodes showed Sidra running from the room whenever he entered, or trying to confide in her mother, only to be silenced.
The truly devastating reality Jama Taqseem exposes is how toxic families often dismiss the pain and concerns of women—allowing abuse to escalate unchecked. In previous episodes, Sidra repeatedly attempted to report Zeeshan’s actions to her mother, but was scolded instead, with ‘wo tumhare bare bhai hain’.
Read more:
Jama Taqseem: Sidra’s plight and how it reflects the generational cycle of abuse
In Episode 9, when Laila overheard Zeeshan making lewd remarks about Sidra to his friend, she immediately reported it to her husband, Qais, warning him that Sidra was being harassed by her cousin. Rather than heeding to her demands and taking action immediately, instead he taunted her for trying to rip the family apart because of her own unhappiness. When as the audience we’re aware that Laila is the only one who had noticed the signs, and had kept assuring Sidra that she would listen to her complaints without judgment.
But rather than her own family saving her, it took another man’s verdict for Qais to come face with the reality that Zeeshan was a predator. As a user clearly points out, had it only been Laila in the house when the crime happened, the family would not have believed her and further accused her of trying to rip the family apart.
Jama Taqseem lays out the final message with sear clarity: hold your toxic sons accountable. Stop forcing your daughters to dismiss any mans, including their own male family members, inappropriate remarks or touches as ‘jokes’, or blame them for trying to escalate conflicts. Had Sidra’s mother or the rest of the family witnessed her distress as a warning sign rather than brush it off as delusions, then this tragedy could have been prevented from escalating.
But as the show powerfully illustrates, the toxic politics within many desi families continue to revolve around protecting sons, leaving daughters to carry the burden of their behaviour.
Netizens widely praised the episode for its brilliant performances and its sensitive yet courageous handling of such a difficult subject.
The episode was already tear jerking, and now that I’ve noticed Sidra cried herself to sleep, got even sadder. Performances from the young actors and the entire cast were outstanding, JT covering important topics and handling a sensitive issue with great sensitivity #JamaTaqseem pic.twitter.com/K4jpp7f91C
— ray (@rayainalif) October 8, 2025
Today’s episode was heartbreaking but so good handling such an issue. I was mind blown. Talha and the actor playing Sidra, I was in awe with their performances, the vulnerability, the fear was portrayed so well by Sidra and Talha was so good with the emotional acting#JamaTaqseem pic.twitter.com/HLTjO557e0
— 🦁 (@harleysbaee) October 8, 2025
Just finished watching the latest episode of jama taqseem, and felt so sad for sidra, i wish no girl has to experience this ever. This scene is a reminder that danger doesn’t always come from strangers, it can live quietly behind familiar faces.
• #jamataqseem pic.twitter.com/wdqcfQgrNI
— Ayesha. (@azadchild) October 8, 2025
