Barakah Beats

Nimra is anxious about revealing that she joined Barakah Beats during lunch. She watches Jenna’s expression change when Waleed, Bilal, and Matthew make the announcement in the cafeteria. Jenna races up to her, exclaiming about her friendship with the eighth graders. Because Nimra is glad that Jenna is paying attention to her, she doesn’t mention her reasons for “going against [her] religious beliefs” to join the band (99).

Bilal interrupts Nimra and Jenna’s conversation to bring Nimra to the band room for practice. Once the band is together, Waleed tells them that they’ll be participating in ADAMS’s upcoming talent show fundraiser for refugees. ADAMS is the community’s local mosque. Nimra supports the cause but worries about performing live. She hoped to quit the band before her family discovered her involvement. Now she doesn’t know what she’s going to do. While praying afterward, she feels overcome by fear.

Nimra writes Waleed notes during algebra class to keep him awake. They talk about their passions for music and art, which their parents don’t support. Then, Waleed shares his plans to write a new song for the ADAMS talent show.

Nimra texts Jenna that she won’t be at lunch because she’s practicing with the band. Jenna forgives her because she’s impressed that Nimra is friends with Waleed, Bilal, and Matthew.

During band practice, Nimra helps the band write their new song. She’s surprised by how easily the lyrics come to her. Her bandmates congratulate her talent. She feels even more excited when they start singing and playing together. She wonders what she’s going to tell her family. Remembering that the fundraiser is for a good cause, she tells herself everything will be okay. Besides, she plans to quit the band soon.

Nimra and Khadijah pray together after practice. The friends talk about singing and each of their roles in Barakah Beats.

Nimra’s parents drive her to Guided Light to see Sister Sadia, her old teacher. Sister Sadia asks Nimra about Farmwell. Nimra trusts Sister Sadia but doesn’t tell her about Barakah Beats and her new friends. Before leaving, she asks Sister Sadia about lying for good reasons because she feels guilty that her lies “are racking up” (123). Sister Sadia answers and reminds Nimra that she can tell her anything.

On the way home, Nimra texts her friends in their Barakah Beats group chat. The friends discuss their new song and each of their singing capabilities. Then, Nimra texts Jenna about hanging out. Jenna is busy on all the days that Nimra suggests. Nimra hopes Jenna will suggest another time, but she doesn’t.

Nimra engages Baba in conversation. He’s been on the phone with her grandfather, and she notices tension between them. When he hangs up, Nimra asks Baba to take her out for donuts since he will soon be traveling.

At school on Monday, Jenna accuses Nimra of being too busy with her new friends to hang out with her anymore. Nimra tries to defend herself, but Jenna’s friends interrupt her.

Nimra has lunch with Khadijah for the first time. They talk about their families, Nimra’s passion for art, and the Barakah Beats performance at the fundraiser. Nimra gets nervous when Khadijah reveals that hundreds of people will attend the event. Then Julie approaches, interrupting their conversation. She apologizes to Nimra for her behavior in homeroom. Jenna told her that Nimra wasn’t eating with them because she was mad at Julie. The events aren’t related, but Nimra accepts her apology. When she joins Jenna and her friends afterward, the girls pressure Nimra to sing in the cafeteria. The bell rings, and Nimra avoids performing in public.

Nimra’s gym teachers hold class inside because of the heat. They set up exercise stations throughout the gymnasium. Nimra is most nervous about the dance station. Tired of the teachers’ music, one of the boys puts on a Barakah Beats song. Nimra hesitates but eventually starts singing with Bilal and Matthew. Everyone, including Jenna and Julie, sings and dances along. Nimra thinks this has been her favorite gym class yet.

The next day, Waleed, Bilal, and Matthew talk about their performance in gym class. When they use a catchphrase Nimra doesn’t know, she feels embarrassed. Her friends tell her that she doesn’t know the phrase because she isn’t on social media. They insist that if she wants her artwork to succeed, she must share it online. They think Nimra’s musical and artistic talents will make her successful. Nimra doesn’t say anything because she feels like she’s lying to them. She worries that they’ll reject her if she tells them the truth about her religious beliefs about performing music. She doesn’t think she can stay in the band but also doesn’t want to lose their friendship.

Nimra doesn’t do well in band practice. Everyone insists that she’s just tired, but Nimra thinks her mistakes are caused by her lies. The group refocuses by singing verses from the Qur’an together.

Nimra makes a social media account. She feels discouraged with her work when she sees other artists’ accounts. Shortly thereafter, Mama finds her lying in the dark in her room. Nimra tells her that she feels like a failure. To encourage Nimra, Mama shows her a box of Nimra’s old drawings and sketchbooks. She reminds Nimra that she’s grown artistically over the years because she’s passionate, not because she’s had training. When the conversation turns to bravery, Nimra considers telling Mama about Barakah Beats. Instead, she asks again about art class. Mama promises to discuss it with Baba. Afterward, Nimra discovers that Waleed commented on one of her art posts.

Waleed asks Nimra to tutor him in algebra after getting a low grade on their test. Jenna is offended that Nimra will be helping him during lunch. Nimra promises to give Jenna a few minutes at the start of the period before meeting Waleed.

While Nimra tutors Waleed, they talk about math, art, and music. Waleed is shocked when Nimra reveals that she isn’t in art class. He surprises Nimra by asking how she likes Farmwell. Sensing her hesitation, he tells her how glad he is that they became friends and bandmates. The conversation shifts to Barakah Beats and the fundraiser. Nimra realizes how important the talent show is to Waleed and fears disappointing him if she backs out.