A Mother’s Prayer, a short film directed by Syed Haider and co-written by Haider and Rameez Mazen, is a reflection on the bond between a mother and her son, woven through memory, faith, and the tenderness of ordinary moments. As Amir drifts between childhood and adulthood, he recalls the small gestures that shaped him: fruit cut by gentle hands, prayers spoken, and a love so deep it became part of the Earth beneath him. Through intimate fragments of their life together, the film explores how a mother’s devotion lingers inside us long after moments have passed, becoming a form of guidance, mercy, and prayer of its own.
The film takes its inspiration from ordinary moments experienced throughout childhood and then their transition into adolescence. The film was developed for Bayt Haider, a creative house rooted in cultural storytelling. The process of creating the story began with Haider crafting the narrative and Rameez shaping it in collaboration. The intention was to craft a story that takes place in our homes, with our languages, and people who represent us.
The visual direction by Haider was shaped by observing, and partially living, these conversations and moments. How the kitchen was dressed, how the softness of mothers transitioning in their kids’ lives, and how the innocence of youth was eventually forgotten as they grew older.
About
Syed Haider is a poet, filmmaker, and curator. Haider’s practice examines the emotional landscapes created by absence, distance, and belonging. Haider is the founder of Bayt Haider, a creative house rooted in cultural stories shaped by the identity of South Asians and the Gulf. Haider has curated for House of Wisdom and Art Jameel, and has been commissioned by Art Dubai and Alserkal Arts Foundation. Haider has been featured in Rice Middle East, GQ, and Dazed Middle East.
Rameez Mazen is a Saudi-based visual artist in Jeddah, whose work explores themes of identity, belonging, and culture. Rameez has been previously featured in Ward Magazine and Utopia Magazine.
