"Sharaf" (honour) tells of the fate of Maryam, the beloved daughter of a high-ranking officer in the Saudi Arabian army. Ibrahim dotes on Maryam, his pride in her learning, wisdom and independent spirit sharpened by the death of his elder son and his estrangement from the younger who has opted for a hedonistic lifestyle in America. Despite the love she shares with her family, the respect she has for her Arabian culture and her loyalty to Islam, Maryam yearns for travel and the opportunity to continue her education in Europe. But then Ibrahim announces Maryam's betrothal - the fulfilment of a solemn promise made before Maryam was born to a man who once saved his life - that Ibrahim's daughter would one day marry his old army comrade's son. Maryam endeavours to stifle her bitter disappointment, and to honour her father's wishes she complies with the betrothal. Then she meets Ben, an American dentist- and a Jew. As Ben and Maryam pursue an increasingly intimate clandestine relationship they dare to dream of freedom and a life together. But Ben is gradually attracting the attention of the Muttawa, the feared Saudi religious police, and when Maryam discovers that she is pregnant she knows that she faces a terrifying ordeal.