Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

The novel revolves around the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, showing how the sweeping historical event continues to impact people daily. The 9/11 attacks fomented dangerous levels of anti-Muslim prejudice, which both Yusuf and Rahman experience in their respective timelines. Rahman, writing his journal in 2001, faces prejudice and even violence in the direct aftermath of the attacks, but Yusuf also links 9/11 to the bullying he experiences 20 years later. While researching the hijackers, he wants to “scream at them, ‘Thanks for ruining everyone’s lives, you evil men!’” (202). Yusuf’s diction is hyperbolic. The 9/11 attacks don’t “ruin” his life, but they do challenge Yusuf and his community. Ultimately they work together with a diverse coalition—the New Horizons Church—to fight anti-Muslim prejudice and not let the Patriot Sons and associated bullies ruin their hopes and goals.

The novel also examines the way 9/11 impacts characters beyond Yusuf, Rahman, and their respective Muslim communities. For example, Jonathan O’Reilly’s uncle is missing in the Twin Towers until authorities declare him dead. The loss of his uncle irrevocably changes him, giving him, in Rahman’s words, “a wound that would never heal” (386). Unable to grapple with his emotional scar, Jonathan conveniently takes out his anger on Rahman.