The Zeitoun family practices the religion of Islam. Because the story takes place after 9/11 their religion often brings them discrimination. However, often, their religion turned people away from hiring them. However, one of the first things I noticed about Abdulrahman Zeitoun, (referred to throughout the book as Zeitoun) and the Zeitoun family was how proud they were of their religion and beliefs. Never once were they ashamed of their religion. Abdulrahman’s wife, Kathy, wore a hijab out in public. In fact, Kathy was a Muslim by choice. Kathy had an odd experience with her conversion from Christianity to Islam. She was an America born Indian, raised Catholic. However, there were many things about Christianity that Kathy did not agree with. For example, she did not like the forceful preaching of the church. After a questionable speech by the preacher, Kathy began to look further into Islam. She decided to talk with the preacher about her struggle with faith. That next weekend at church, the preacher confronted Kathy in front of the entire congregation, and made her explain what she had been questioning. With that, Kathy converted to Islam, as she liked the sense of personal responsibility which leaned toward social justice. This act was extremely courageous, and risky. Her parents did not agree with what she had done, yet she was so strong with her beliefs, that she was willing to act in a way that she believed was right. Even with the discrimination from complete strangers that both Kathy, and Abdulrahman had to face, they stayed true to themselves, and their beliefs.
Besides religion, this was also demonstrated through Abdulrahman’s work. When he and Kathy moved to New Orleans, and set up a painting and construction business that became very well-known across New Orleans. One of the main reasons was for its logo. The logo consists of a paintbrush, and behind the paintbrush is a painted rainbow. At first, Abdulrahman received a lot of grief for his logo. Many were turned away because they believed that he supported gays. However, Zeitoun refused to change the logo. He claimed that those people who would discriminate against his logo were people that they would not want to work with anyways. In addition, he was able to attract many gay couples to begin his business.
In the face of a discriminating and judgment, the Zeitoun family remained faithful to their beliefs. They are a family that acts on what they believe is right, and look at each person as equal and valuable. Later in the book, Zeitoun demonstrates this as he helps rescue countless strangers. However, the thing that is most admirable is how they react. They do not hate America because it has people who discriminate. They look at America as their home just as any other American would. If anything, this discrimination has not made them more cynical, but has helped in the ways that they are willing to help, and treat others.
I think that it is very sad that there are many different people that are blamed and judged for 9/11 just because of stereotypes that surrounding there culture. I remember when we watched the documentary in class and there was a woman on the street with a ethnic back round. She was trying to raise money to go to 9/11 founds and many people were cross with her or wouldn't donate because of the stereotypes they had of her
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