List of East Enders Characters (2009) - Qadim Shah

Qadim Shah, played by Ramon Tikaram, is the father of Amira Shah (Preeya Kalidas). He appears in five episodes between 17 December 2009 and 1 January 2010, and again in April 2010. He appears again from 6 September 2011, when Amira returns to Walford. Qadim later leaves on 31 October 2011. Qadim returned for another episode on 6 January 2012.

Qadim is introduced when Amira visits him in prison. They hug and he says he wants to make up for lost time. She tells him she and her boyfriend Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) are back together and are now engaged. Qadim is instantly furious and refuses to give them his blessing. Amira later takes money for the wedding from his safety deposit box without him knowing, using a key she has hidden inside a photo album.

On the day of Amira and Syed's Mehndi celebration, Amira receives a call saying Qadim's lawyer has found a loophole in the law meaning that Qadim can be released. After his release, he interrupts the Mehndi. The next day, Syed's mother Zainab (Nina Wadia) is angry at his actions and Amira is forced to reveal that Qadim has not given his blessing and that she stole the money. Qadim arrives at the Masoods' home and says that Syed does not love Amira and will break her heart. Syed tells him they took his money but Amira interrupts and says it was her idea. Qadim orders her to pack her bags but she defies him and Syed says they will pay back the money. Qadim says angrily says he expects the money the next day in cash and leaves. He returns on the day of the wedding and talks to Amira. When he realises how much Masood has done for her, he gives his blessing and agrees to pay for the wedding.

Qadim returns as a guest at Syed and Amira's house warming party on 23 April, where Syed reveals that he is gay and has been seeing Christian Clarke (John Partridge). Qadim attacks Syed, saying he warned Amira not to marry him. After Amira packs her bags, Qadim takes her home with him. He returns days later with two associates, looking for Syed. Masood tells them he has been unable to contact him. They then break into Christian's flat and wait for him. When he arrives, Qadim demands to know where Syed is and refuses to believe him when he says he does not know. They then beat him up and leave.

In 2011, Syed and Christian decide to find Amira so Syed can get a divorce. They feel the only way to do so is to find Qadim first, but Zainab forbids it as he wanted to kill them both. Zainab's ex-husband and father of her daughter-in-law, Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti), tells Zainab it may be a good idea to find Amira anyway. He then visits Qadim and says that if Syed can believe he is getting his way, then Yusef will be able to avenge Qadim's humiliation. It is revealed that Qadim has been keeping Amira prisoner in her own home. Amira secretly meets up with Syed, and introduces hers and Syed's daughter, Yasmin to the Masood family. When Yusef phones Qadim and tells him that Amira is at the Masood's house, he storms round there and demands that Amira and Yasmin return with him. Amira refuses, and Qadim leaves stating that Amira is no longer his daughter. The next day he sends round all of Amira and Yasmin's belongings to the Masood house. Qadim returns to Walford in the New Year after Syed phones him in order to convince Amira to divorce him. After Amira finally agrees to a divorce, Qadim tries to force her to return home, although Masood tells her she is welcome to remain in Walford. Qadim is livid when Amira turns her back on him and he leaves Walford.