Eman moved to France from Lebanon, expecting a new life and a warm welcome. Her family sent her away in hopes that she would be able to express her religious freedom, as well as enjoy the opportunities France could offer to women that Lebanon could not. Little did she know that she would be amidst religious persecution in France. French citizens were beginning to feel threatened by the "imposed" Islamic religion. They believed that France would no longer be French, and would become Muslim. Thus, the French government created new laws banning the Hijab. Eman found the ban on the Hijab to be severely discriminatory.
Although she was not a strict follower of Islam, she believed that all Muslims living in Europe should have the right to freedom of religion. Eman found several other women that practiced Islam to help organize a protest. After just days of preparation they scoured the streets for followers and began a march. The french were insulted by the womens' insolence. Many of the Muslim women were taken to prison for the outburst. Eman, luckily, was not incarcerated. She decided to take the advice of Booker T. Washington, and submit to the government for the time being, while pondering other methods of peaceful protest. She knew it was feasible in time. She was, after all, named after one of the many Islamic words for faith.
In my brief story, Eman is the main character, like Marlow. She too has an idea of a new country, but is sorely surprised by reality. The other protesters represent the suppressed savages, while the French government are like the imperialist in the Congo.
http://youtu.be/ONZ10HJtor0
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