Nacim Bismilla
Encyclopedia
Nacim Bismilla is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz
, played by Ra Hanna.
gang. He is one of the more muscular and imposing members of the group, and throughout the series he often appears with Sanjay Afsana
acting as the head bodyguard to Muslim leader Kareem Said
. He is a quiet man who only voices his opinion or thoughts on a very few number of occasions throughout the series. He is often dealt with carefully or avoided respectfully by several inmates who interact with Said, such as Ryan O'Reily
. Throughout the series, he does not seem to like or get along with fellow Muslim Zahir Arif
, whom he fiercely beats in the series finale.
, Tricia Ross, as well as Said's embracing of Tobias Beecher
, a white bisexual man, in their religious ceremonies and meetings. However, like Hamid Kahn and Arif, he silently displays some confusion and discontent with his leader's actions. He still loyally remains as Said's bodyguard until Kahn publicly reveals Said's transgressions (his sexual thoughts of Tricia Ross the main one) to the rest of the Muslims. Kahn eventually assumes leadership of the Muslims. Bismilla is notably the last member of the Muslims to leave Said's side, and does so reluctantly.
When Vernon Schillinger
and the rest of the Aryan Brotherhood
later attempt to kill Beecher in the gym, and also try to kill his ally Said (due to them noticing he no longer has the protection of Muslims), Bismilla, Arif and Kahn, who are present along with Chris Keller
, save the two and knock out several Aryan inmates. When racial tension reaches an all-time high at Oz after Kahn is put into a coma, Bismilla is seen with Arif and the other black inmates rallying their racial cause.
in his search for a new fair trial, as his homosexuality goes against the Muslim's values. When Supreme Allah
arrives in Oz, Bismilla is shown as one of the Muslims who waver under Arif's leadership, and is seen conversing with Supreme Allah, even removing his kufi when Allah talks to him about his Five Percenter beliefs.
and his seemingly genuine conversion to the Muslim faith as Salah Udeen. Bismilla is later seen protecting Said when Aryan inmate Carl Jenkins
attempts to kill him in the cafeteria, only for Udeen to sacrifice himself. He is later involved in a violent brawl with the Aryan Brotherhood instigated by James Robson and Schillinger, who cruelly insult Said about Udeen's death. He and Arif help subdue Schillinger while Said viciously and uncharacteristically beats Robson, to which Bismilla watches in shock, held back by Arif.
under his guidance. When White forces Said to anger by beating him viciously and subsequently being sent to the hole, Bismilla and the other Muslims ignore him completely.
Oz (TV series)
Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
, played by Ra Hanna.
Character overview
Bismilla is a prominent member of the titular prison's MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
gang. He is one of the more muscular and imposing members of the group, and throughout the series he often appears with Sanjay Afsana
Sanjay Afsana
Sanjay Afsana is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz played by Conrad Lindsey.He is primarily a background character throughout the series in Emerald City who appears with Nacim Bismilla acting as a bodyguard to Muslim leader Kareem Said....
acting as the head bodyguard to Muslim leader Kareem Said
Kareem Said
Kareem Saïd is a character played by British actor Eamonn Walker on the American television show Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #97S444. Convicted June 6, 1997 - Arson in the second degree. Sentence: 18 years, eligible for parole in five...
. He is a quiet man who only voices his opinion or thoughts on a very few number of occasions throughout the series. He is often dealt with carefully or avoided respectfully by several inmates who interact with Said, such as Ryan O'Reily
Ryan O'Reily
Ryan O'Reily is a main character in the television series Oz. He was portrayed by Dean Winters from 1997 to 2003.-Character overview:Prisoner #97P904. Convicted July 12, 1997 - Two counts of vehicular manslaughter, five counts of reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance,...
. Throughout the series, he does not seem to like or get along with fellow Muslim Zahir Arif
Zahir Arif
Zahir Arif aka Jerome Van Dyke is a fictional character on the HBO series Oz, played by Granville Adams.-Character overview:Arif is a former drug addict in prison apparently for possession of stolen goods. In prison, he undergoes a spiritual transformation into one of the most well-behaved and...
, whom he fiercely beats in the series finale.
Season 1
Bismilla has a limited role in this season, being mostly a background presence due to his quiet nature. He is seen frequently praying with the Muslims and protecting Kareem Said with Zahir Arif. During the riot, he is the primary enforcer by Said's side. When the S.O.R.T. team takes over "Emerald City," Bismilla and the rest of the prisoners are sent to General Population.Season 2
Bismilla, Said, Arif, and Afsana are the four Muslims allowed into Emerald City under the new deal in the aftermath of the riot. Later, during Ramadan, the Muslims are called into Warden Leo Glynn's office to determine which one of them should be pardoned by Governor James Devlin, and Bismilla seems discontent when Said is chosen. Said, however, sees this pardon as a slick move on Devlin's part to gain popularity among African-American and Islamic communities alike and refuses at the press conference, publicly humiliating Devlin. As he returns to Em City, Arif and Bismilla lead the prisoners in chanting for Said.Season 3
Bismilla and the rest of the Muslims participate in a hunger-strike in an attempt for the prison system to recognize the importance of Ramadan. He remains loyal to Said during the latter's internal struggle to understand his attraction to the Caucasian-American sister of Scott RossScott Ross
Scott Ross was a United States-born harpsichordist who lived in France for many years. His recordings include the first integral edition by a single performer of the 555 harpsichord sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti....
, Tricia Ross, as well as Said's embracing of Tobias Beecher
Tobias Beecher
Tobias Beecher is a main character on the television show Oz, played by Lee Tergesen. He is one of only eight regular characters to survive the entire run of the show...
, a white bisexual man, in their religious ceremonies and meetings. However, like Hamid Kahn and Arif, he silently displays some confusion and discontent with his leader's actions. He still loyally remains as Said's bodyguard until Kahn publicly reveals Said's transgressions (his sexual thoughts of Tricia Ross the main one) to the rest of the Muslims. Kahn eventually assumes leadership of the Muslims. Bismilla is notably the last member of the Muslims to leave Said's side, and does so reluctantly.
When Vernon Schillinger
Vernon Schillinger
Vernon Schillinger is a fictional character, played by American actor J. K. Simmons, on the HBO series Oz.-Character overview:Prisoner #92S110. Convicted October 21, 1992 – Aggravated assault in the first degree. Sentence: Eight years, eligible for parole in five...
and the rest of the Aryan Brotherhood
The Aryan Brotherhood in Oz
The Aryan Brotherhood in the TV series Oz is a gang of white supremacist inmates led by Vernon Schillinger.-Overview:The Aryans of Oz are a loosely organized gang of white supremacist inmates. As a minority, the Caucasian-American prisoners of the gang mostly come from criminal backgrounds already...
later attempt to kill Beecher in the gym, and also try to kill his ally Said (due to them noticing he no longer has the protection of Muslims), Bismilla, Arif and Kahn, who are present along with Chris Keller
Chris Keller
Chris Keller is a fictional character on the HBO series Oz, portrayed by Christopher Meloni from 1998 to 2003.-Character overview:Prisoner ID 98K514. Convicted June 16, 1998 - felony murder, two counts of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, driving under the influence and...
, save the two and knock out several Aryan inmates. When racial tension reaches an all-time high at Oz after Kahn is put into a coma, Bismilla is seen with Arif and the other black inmates rallying their racial cause.
Season 4 Part I
Bismilla expresses discontent along with Arif when Said attempts to help Gay inmate Jason CramerJason Cramer
Jason Cramer is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz played by Robert Bogue.-Character overview:Prisoner #98C931. Convicted September 6, 1998 - Murder in the first degree, Kidnapping, Assault with a dangerous instrument. Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole...
in his search for a new fair trial, as his homosexuality goes against the Muslim's values. When Supreme Allah
Supreme Allah
Supreme Allah is a fictional character of the HBO drama Oz. He is portrayed by Lord Jamar of hip hop group Brand Nubian.-Character overview:Prisoner #00K251. Convicted March 22, 2000 - Second degree murder...
arrives in Oz, Bismilla is shown as one of the Muslims who waver under Arif's leadership, and is seen conversing with Supreme Allah, even removing his kufi when Allah talks to him about his Five Percenter beliefs.
Season 4 Part II
Bismilla is seen accepting Leroy TiddLeroy Tidd
Leroy Tidd is a fictional character on the series Oz, an African American inmate played by Jacques Smith.-Character overview:Prisoner #00T255. Convicted May 10, 2000 - Armed robbery, reckless endangerment. Sentence: 20 years, eligible for parole in 12.Imprisoned for armed robbery and running over a...
and his seemingly genuine conversion to the Muslim faith as Salah Udeen. Bismilla is later seen protecting Said when Aryan inmate Carl Jenkins
Carl Jenkins (Oz)
Carl Jenkins, played by Joshua Harto, is an inmate on the HBO drama Oz.-Season 4 Part II:A young white inmate, he is told that he will be let into the Aryan Brotherhood by his current protector James Robson if he kills Muslim inmate Kareem Said. Robson also tells him that if he fails, the Aryans...
attempts to kill him in the cafeteria, only for Udeen to sacrifice himself. He is later involved in a violent brawl with the Aryan Brotherhood instigated by James Robson and Schillinger, who cruelly insult Said about Udeen's death. He and Arif help subdue Schillinger while Said viciously and uncharacteristically beats Robson, to which Bismilla watches in shock, held back by Arif.
Season 5
Bismilla is shown as doubtful of Said's attempts to rehabilitate Omar WhiteOmar White
Omar White is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz played by Michael Wright.-Character overview:Prisoner 01W711. Convicted January 4, 2001 - Murder in the first degree...
under his guidance. When White forces Said to anger by beating him viciously and subsequently being sent to the hole, Bismilla and the other Muslims ignore him completely.