Images of Misconceptions
People are usually judged on their appearances, but the author has propagated the idea that our outlook does not define us. For instance, Rabeya is often considered as a conservative Muslim woman, who wraps herself in a burka, but the reality is just the opposite. She possesses liberal and logical ideas along with a creative mind. Yusef and other Muslim men are also looked down upon by the non-Muslims, but they are humans like other people, and they have their own views and aspirations. Yusef and his friends are taken as countercultural by the White Christians, living in American society but the fact is that they are viewed by the whites on the basis of their stereotypical assumptions about the Muslims.
Images of Mosque
The imagery of a mosque has been conveyed through the dwelling pace of Yusef and his friends. The house serves the purpose of a mosque apart from providing them an atmosphere of home in a foreign country. The students offer their Friday prayer in the apartment in a comfortable way just like they used to offer in Pakistan in a mosque. There seem to be no one who would disturb them in any way during performing their religious obligation. No one would interfere with their religious proceedings and above all no one would judge them.
Images of Diversity
The author has portrayed the diversity of humans in a group, with the same religious background. Yusef and his friends were Muslims but despite of reading the same religious scripture and living in a same house, they possess different views and personalities. Umar takes the Koran at the literal level, so he often argues with his friends. He had conservative ideas however, Jahangir and Yusef had liberal ideas regarding their religion. Through the character of Rabeya, the author has demonstrated that the common view that the Muslim women, who cover themselves from head to toe are not creative and hold conservative ideas, is not correct. Rabeya wears abaya but still she is an open-minded girl with creative ideas.
