The foreign orphan
This story is an allegory, because caring for foreigners and orphans is a central part of correctly understood Islam, because Mohammed the prophet was very dedicated to those people. As a white girl, Lily might have grown up with her parents' point of view, which treats other world views as novelty, for aesthetic enjoyment, but without giving credence. Lily does give credence to the faith, because as an orphan, the religion literally worked for her. She was spared from worse fates because of caring Muslims who taught her.
The symbolism of confession
By announcing something out loud, Lily takes it from the hypothetical realm of thought and introduces real noise into her community, gathering a crowd and declaring that she is Muslim, even though she is white. She is Muslim and has been raised by Muslims in a Muslim nation. This confession allows her to take a stand against any potential judgment, but it is impulsive not for that reason, but because she is overwhelmed by how much the religion matters to her.
Aziz
As a symbolic character, Aziz represents something important. Lily is special, and to her that is a painful part of her life. She would rather fit in and have a friendly community where she were treated as an insider. But, she is an outsider and an outcast, even as a child in her parents home, but then certainly as a white orphan. Aziz has the same experience, but because he is black. So Aziz represents Lily's discovery that even she is not truly alone, and that human suffering can be viewed from the perspective of love.
The revolution
The revolution in Ethiopia sends Lily back to Europe, as a refugee, but to her home. This ironic dichotomy is also evident within Ethiopia, because it is the home to many people who are forced to leave by conflict. Therefore, both Lily's story and Ethiopia's story share this homelessness, caused by violence and injustice. This symbolizes the brokenness of society.
Pilgrimage
Another important theme from the novel is a pillar of Islam that Lily interprets in her pilgrimage to Ethiopia. Although technically, the pillar is to visit Mecca, Lily is practicing the same religious exercise by leaving her care-taker's home and beginning a new life for herself. Pilgrimage is a symbol of human life, because just as a journey is traveled one step at a time, life exists one day at a time, forward toward a destination.
