American Dervish

Hayat feels unsettled and dissatisfied, his former pleasures muted, throughout the summer. He experiences growing sexual frustration and touches himself while looking at Mina’s picture on the refrigerator. Feeling guilty, Hayat promises Allah he will never do this again. 

Nathan nervously tells his parents about his conversion. While his father accepts his decision, he warns, “No one will ever see you as anything other than a Jew” (178). Muneer dismisses this while Hayat considers the political nature of Nathan’s conversion. Mina pays special attention to Imran to appease him before the marriage. Muneer considers Imran’s preference for Naveed foolish and dismisses Mina’s worries about her parents’ reaction. 

Nathan arrives at Hayat’s home, wearing a topi head covering so Naveed can take him to the South Side Islamic Center. Naveed is alarmed to see Nathan’s skullcap, but Muneer and Mina approve. Naveed, Nathan, and Hayat arrive at the converted Revival schoolhouse that serves as a mosque. Naveed considers its imam, Souhef, greedy, since Souhef extorted $1000 from him a decade ago.  

Imam Souhef warmly greets Naveed at the steps of the Islamic Center. Nathan exchanges traditional greetings with two men who enter, and Naveed introduces his friend to the imam. Nathan would like to learn more about Islam and participate in the worship service there.