Amina's Voice

There is a community meeting at Amina’s school the following Monday evening. Amina has been allowed to stay home from school. Amina recognizes faces from both the Islamic community, other churches, local officials and the school. Officer Jenkins, the officer conducting the meeting with Imam Malik, answers questions from the crowd. Imam Malik informs the crowd that the Center is working on implementing stronger surveillance and security measures, and Officer Jenkins says that, while the department is working on leads, no one has yet been arrested. He also assures the congregation that the police force is saddened by the hate crime and sees it as “unacceptable” and “un-American”: “We will do whatever we can to prevent anything like this from happening in the future and to make sure justice is served” (174).

After the meeting has ended, Amina sees Soojin with her family and a tall, handsome blonde man who Amina does not know. Mrs. Park greets Amina warmly, extending her sympathies for what has happened. Amina thanks her and hesitates before giving Soojin a hug. Soojin brings her into a tight embrace. She asks if Amina is OK, and Amina is relieved to see her acting like her old, normal self.