The hijab
The hijab is a literal symbol, because it is specifically intended as a symbol. The fact that it is included in Muslim culture for women to wear a hijab is specifically symbolic. It shows modesty and in some versions of the faith, even submission. This becomes clear in Leila's home (the other girl who wears a hijab) because the culture of that family is more misogynistic than Amal's. Amal's home has traditional gender roles, but she is still a valued member of the family, whereas in Leila's home, the hijab starts to symbolize a kind of inferiority that isn't true.
The Catholic school
When Amal was a child, she had to go to a Catholic school in Australia, which is a far cry from her parents' upbringing. When they were growing up, they were part of the cultural majority, which helped solidify their more traditional personalities, but since she was young, Amal has had to navigate school while sticking out like a sore thumb. She made automatic enemies with any of the Christians who had negative opinions of Islam, just by showing up with her hijab, by her name, and by her faith.
Adam and temptation
It is no surprise that Adam's name is associated with a temptation of forbidden desire. Amal does not reject Adam's kiss at the party because she hates him or something; in fact, she wants to kiss him badly. She even feels desires to go further, to do more. He tempts her in the primordial way, as his primordial name suggests. The symbolism is that she is tested and is found pure when she holds to her traditional religious view of romance. She wants things to happen in the right way.
Leila's foil
As suggested above, Leila is a foil for Amal. In their high school, they are the two "all-timers," slang that refers to the girls who are only ever seen with their hijab. Leila offers a foil to Amal's point of view. Whereas Amal's family is basically good, Leila's family struggles with a lot of anger and dysfunction. There is misogyny in their religious opinions that is unhealthy and frustrating to Leila. When she says she wants an education and a career, she is rejected by her family and ends up running away. Her family represents a dark side of religious tradition, that misogyny and closed-minded beliefs are always a risk.
Sam and patriarchy
Sam is perhaps the clearest symbol for the patriarchy. He is not in charge, but he is a human. Humans grow up to get married and have kids. Sam certainly seems to be heading down that road. What kind of father will he be? What subtle behavioral and philosophical lessons has he inherited from his own example of masculinity, his father? We see in Sam what Leila suspects in her father: an absolute distaste for women. Sam emotionally abuses Leila and harasses her for her gender, claiming that women are inherently inferior to men.
