Barakah Beats

Nimra and Jenna watch a movie in Nimra’s basement. Nimra pretends the finished in-law suite is her private space when relatives aren’t visiting. She often uses the apartment to draw and listen to music alone.

Jenna scrolls through her phone and asks Nimra why she doesn’t have one yet. Nimra explains that she doesn’t need one. Mama and Baba interrupt their conversation to ask Jenna what she thought of the party. Jenna argues that they should have had music and dancing. Mama and Baba explain that many Muslims don’t believe in dancing or playing instruments. Nimra knows there are many interpretations of these Islamic principles but agrees with her parents. Jenna acts like she understands, but Nimra assumes she doesn’t.

Mama and Baba say they have some news. They want Nimra to leave Guided Light and start public school at Farmwell Station Middle School the following year. Nimra is sad to leave her school but loves the idea of seeing Jenna every day. She’s surprised to notice that Jenna doesn’t seem excited.

Nimra is nervous for her first day of seventh grade at Farmwell and isn’t sure what to wear. Jenna gave her suggestions, and Nimra researched options online. However, everything she puts on feels wrong. When Mama urges Nimra to hurry up, Nimra wonders if her parents understand her dilemma. She finally chooses an all-black outfit and a sparkly blue hijab while wondering if public school is a mistake.

Mama and Baba ask Nimra how she’s feeling over breakfast. Baba reminds her that if she can be herself, she’s capable of doing anything she sets her mind to. Nimra argues that what she wants to do is take art instead of Spanish. Her parents remind her that learning another language is more important than drawing.

Jenna picks up Nimra so they can walk to school together. She acts shocked when she sees Nimra in her hijab. Mama and Baba look concerned. Nimra reminds Jenna that she wears her hijab every day and assures her parents that she’s fine.

At Farmwell, Jenna introduces Nimra to Principal Coggins and gives her a tour of the building. Jenna is confident Nimra will adjust quickly, but Nimra feels overwhelmed. Guided Light was small compared to Farmwell.

Nimra’s homeroom class is held in the art classroom, which excites her. A girl named Julie introduces herself to Nimra as Jenna’s friend. Julie speaks to her slowly as if she doesn’t understand English. Julie acts confused when Nimra tells her that she speaks English and was born in Virginia.

Throughout the day, Nimra is lost and confused. She gets into an argument with her teacher when he suggests she’s behind in her studies. Numerous people also mispronounce her name. Feeling overwhelmed, Nimra longs to meet up with Jenna in the cafeteria for lunch. Her mood slightly improves in math when a familiar-looking classmate helps her on a pop quiz.

Nimra meets Jenna in the cafeteria. She’s disappointed to see that Jenna is sitting with Julie and two other girls named Val and Evelyn. Jenna asks Nimra about her day, but Nimra barely responds. She doesn’t know the other girls and isn’t used to spending time with Jenna around others. Throughout lunch, Jenna, Julie, Val, and Evelyn talk amongst themselves. Then, a nearby group of boys goofs off and interrupts them. Nimra notices the boy from math. She asks Jenna who he is because he looks familiar. Finally, she realizes that the boy, Waleed, is a member of the local Muslim community. Jenna explains that Waleed and his friends, Matthew and Bilal, are eighth-grade bandmates. Their music group is popular with the whole school.

Nimra realizes she needs to pray and races toward the cafeteria doors. She asks the principal if there’s a clean, quiet place where she can go. Khadijah, a girl sitting nearby, tells Nimra that she prays in the band room.

Nimra can’t focus on her prayers because of the banging, talking, and music in the next room. She starts reciting the Qur’an aloud to drown out the sound. When she finishes, Waleed, Bilal, and Matthew burst through the doors.

Waleed, Bilal, and Matthew overheard Nimra singing. They explain that they use the neighboring room to practice songs for their band, Barakah Beats. Nimra is surprised that their band name is inspired by an Arabic word. When the boys compliment Nimra’s singing voice, she explains that she learned to intone her prayers at Guided Light. The boys reveal that they’re Muslim too. They start singing, and Nimra joins in. Afterward, the boys invite her to join Barakah Beats. Nimra doesn’t believe in creating music but agrees to consider their offer. She thinks that if she joins the band, Jenna might accept her again.

On Nimra and Jenna’s walk home, Jenna seems more like herself. Nimra wonders if lunch was a misunderstanding. Then Jenna confronts Nimra about being rude to Julie in homeroom. Nimra defends herself because she believes Julie is stereotyping her for being Muslim. The friends continue to discuss these issues at the park. When Jenna urges Nimra to let go of her fears, Nimra feels misunderstood.

At home, Nimra goes to the basement to draw and listen to Qur’an recordings. Mama and Baba interrupt to ask about her first day at Farmwell. They remind her that change takes time and tell her not to give up hope. They promise to reconsider the school arrangement if Nimra isn’t happy within a few weeks. Nimra agrees but expresses fears about disappointing them and her grandparents. Mama and Baba start venting about Nana and Nano’s disapproval of everything they do. Nimra realizes that if she joins Barakah Beats, she might hurt her family even more. Later, she draws a logo for the band. She hopes the logo will make them less upset with her when she declines their invitation to join the group.

Nimra has a difficult second day at Farmwell. However, Khadijah offers to help Nimra when she sees her struggling with her locker. They chat while walking to lunch together. Khadijah is Bilal’s sister. She’s also Muslim and enjoys reading. Khadijah says she heard about Nimra’s singing voice and can’t wait for her to join Barakah Beats. Nimra isn’t sure what to say. However, she makes her decision when she notices Jenna ignoring her down the hall. Nimra races to the auditorium to find Waleed. She gives him the new logo. He’s thrilled by the artwork and Nimra’s decision to join the group. They make plans to meet up with the rest of the band soon. Afterward, Nimra prepares for prayer, feeling happy.

Nimra feels hot and uncomfortable in gym class. She walks around the sunny track behind Jenna and Julie. Suddenly, Bilal and Matthew race up and tackle her. They’re thrilled she’s joining Barakah Beats.

Jenna and Julie beg Nimra to explain her relationship with Bilal and Matthew. Jenna worries that Nimra likes Matthew because Julie has a crush on him, too. Nimra tries to decide if she should tell Jenna about Barakah Beats. When Jenna accuses Nimra of keeping something from her, Nimra reveals that the boys did ask her something. However, she won’t tell Jenna until lunch the following day.