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Zeitoun
As a non-fiction book published in 2009 and written by Dave Eggers, Zeitoun narrates the experiences of Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian-America following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Having encouraged his family to evacuate after the hurricane warnings, he is left behind in New Orleans to take care of his home, his business and rentals. He is later arrested on a charge of looting. Based on his Middle Eastern and Islamic origin, he faces unprecedented torture in the hands of his captors. He is finally released and three years later he starts to rebuild his life. Though it might be perceived that the major aim was to narrate Zeitoun’s story and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, it underlying aim was to illuminate on such issues as discrimination, islamaphobia, politics, incompetence of the judicial system and the tenets of the war on terror.
Prior to 9/11 Islamaphobia existed only in premise. Security concerns increased its precedence in notoriety and frequency. The aftermath of the terrorist attacks made life very difficult for Muslims and Middle Easterners in particular. Though it is not particularly focused upon in the book, Eggers uses Zeitoun’s experience arrest experience to illuminate its negative effects on innocent Muslims. According to the book, Zeitoun is subjected to incarceration, as well as, verbal and physical abuse due to his origin and religion. He also reminisces on the instances he has been discriminated against in the airport for being Muslim and Middle Eastern. The book states, “every time a crime was committed by a Muslim, that person’s faith was mentioned, regardless of its relevance. When a crime is committed by a Christian, do they mention his religion? (Eggers 37). Based on the tenets of Islamaphobia, he is branded a terrorist due to his religion and origin. In the book, Eggers goes ahead to examine the social issues of race and class in America.
In prison, Zeitoun interacts with a number of African Americans that were arrested without course just like him. This discussion centers on their being targeted due to their race. As such “When a crime is committed by a black man, it’s mentioned in the first breath: ‘An African American man was arrested today…’ But what about German Americans? Anglo Americans?” (Eggers 37). They were arrested based on racial profiling rather that their perpetration of any crimes. Though security is of paramount interest in America following 9/11, those in authority have been abusing their power based on security justifications. This is seen in the book. Zeitoun is subjected to unlawful arrest, detainment, trial and release because the police and judicial system that discriminated against him had the power and justification to do so.
The books goes ahead to show that citizenship does not automatically accord an individual with freedom to live his life in peace. Todd and Ronnie were subjected adverse treatment regardless of their citizenship. The book also focuses on the play of politics in America. During his rescue missions, Zeitoun encountered many governmental rescuers that were unwilling to help the hurricane survivors. The government was more focused on the politics of war on terror rather that rescue missions. Based on this paper, it can be clearly concluded that though it might be perceived that the major aim was to narrate Zeitoun’s story and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, it underlying aim was to illuminate on such issues as discrimination, islamaphobia, politics, incompetence of the judicial system and the tenets of the war on terror.

Work Cited
Eggers, Dave. Zeitoun. London: Penguin Books, 2010. Print.

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