Barakah Beats

At Friday band practice, Waleed is stressed out about the fundraiser. The bandmates suggest they need a weekend to relax instead of worrying about ADAMS. Nimra wants to spend time with her friends outside of school but is unsure whether her parents will let her spend time with people they don’t know. To get Mama and Baba’s approval, she suggests that her friends come to her house for a movie.

Nimra cleans before her friends come over. When they arrive, Baba is surprised to see she’s invited boys. In the basement, Nimra’s friends find her sketches and press her to post them online. Nimra suggests a movie so they won’t talk about her anymore.

Nimra panics when the group starts talking about the fundraiser. She fears that her parents will overhear and she’ll “get in a lot of trouble” (192). She wonders if the performance is worth it.

The boys perform a silly song and dance competition during the movie. Afterward, they bring up the fundraiser and band t-shirts again. Khadijah shows Nimra a picture of the t-shirt design that uses her logo. Baba enters, sees the logo, and asks about Barakah Beats. Nimra interrupts, telling Baba he forgot drinks and napkins.