Zahira's Choice

Following September 11, 2001, many Americans feared Muslims. Anxiety overwhelmed them as many Americans misinterpreted the goals of Islam, a peaceful religion. Consequently, fear and anger escalated into hate crimes aimed toward Muslims as 1,200 more occurred in 2001 than in 2000. Accordingly, in Amy Waldman’s 2011 novel, The Submission, Zahira Hussain, a victim of a hate crime, discusses Islam with her attacker, Sean, who pulled off her head scarf. However, Zahira attempts to educate Sean about Muslims, rather than criticize him for his actions, and therefore fosters a greater understanding of her faith. For example, upon hearing Sean’s distaste for her wearing of a head scarf in America, Zahira states, “‘It’s my choice’” (204). Waldman emphasizes Zahira’s choice to wear the scarf to stress the inaccuracy of the assumption that Muslim women in America do not have the freedom of choice. Furthermore, Waldman indirectly characterizes Zahira as independent, and criticizes Americans who do not respect the girl’s choice to express her spirituality. Similarly, when discussing Islam’s concept of the afterlife, Zahira stresses that “‘It’s [the afterlife] about God. God’” (205). Waldman indirectly characterizes the girl as pious through her repetition of “God” and stresses that Muslims, like individuals of other religions, believe in something much greater than themselves. Therefore, Zahira relates with Sean, and through that similarity, she enables him to better understand her religion. Due to her approach when confronting Sean, I favor Zahira. By embracing the country’s xenophobia and fostering Americans’ understanding of her faith, Zahira achieves the goal that countless support organizations strive to accomplish. Therefore, the girl inspires me, as her tactics reveal that acceptance of prejudice and education best create tolerance.