Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

Omar’s Muslim faith continues to play an important role in the book. Omar educates Charlie—and the reader—about Ramadan, illustrating how intrinsic Omar’s faith is to his identity.

Daniel proves to be a fearsome antagonist. He ramps up his persecution of Omar, who shares that it is “harder and harder to avoid Daniel Green” at school (78). Daniel’s anger turns to physical violence when he attempts to attack Omar in the lunchroom. Mafaridik’s illustrations of Daniel emphasize his hostility: Daniel has pointy, shark-fin-like waves in his hair, and heavy downward slashing lines for eyebrows. To Omar, Daniel is as threatening as a large, aggressive dog, the Rottweiler he compares him to. Like other characters in the novel, Daniel’s physical appearance mirrors his nature.

Mian shows The Impact of Bullying. Daniel’s aggression takes a toll on Omar physically and emotionally. When Daniel bullies him, Omar feels physically ill: His stomach hurts, and he gets a lump in his throat. Omar feels helpless to stop the bullying. He does not feel “brave” enough to correct Daniel’s perception of Mom. He does not want to tell anyone in his family about the problem, fearing that intervention would exacerbate it. Omar’s comments about Maryam being untrustworthy as a confidant suggest she may also be struggling to adapt to their new home. Maryam petulantly does not want Mom to help Mrs. Rogers, and whereas Maryam once had Omar’s back, Omar now thinks she is a “complete snitch.”

Daniel reveals that he hates Muslims. To Daniel, Omar’s faith is the “worst” part about Omar. Daniel’s threats marginalize Omar and reveal Daniel’s Islamophobia. Daniel compares Mom to a witch because she wears black and covers her hair. Daniels comment shows his ignorance of the customs that inform Muslim dress. They dehumanize Mom by depicting her as a fearful, evil creature, rather than as a fellow human. Omar knows the comparison is absurd: His illustrated chart shows that unlike a witch, who is “ugly, due to evil thoughts” Mom is “beautiful, due to lovely thoughts” (84).

Omar’s observation shows his sensitive and mature understanding of human nature. He values what is on the inside of a person: Thoughts, rather than external appearances, define an individual. Daniel is Omar’s foil, or a character who illuminates another character through contrasting qualities. Rather than showing compassion, he is bigoted, such as when saying that Omar should be forcibly expelled from the country because he is Muslim. This idea is new—and terrifying—to Omar, who does not understand why they would be kicked out.

Omar’s parents illustrate how Kindness Begets Kindness and counters othering. Mom’s compassion turns Mrs. Rogers’s opinion of the family around. Mrs. Rogers, whom Omar has thought “must be the meanest person on the planet after Daniel Green” (92), completely changes her attitude toward Omar’s family. Originally, she was suspicious and fearful. Now, thanks to Mom’s compassion after her injury, Mrs. Rogers is their biggest fan. Mom’s inclusion—and forgiveness—shows Mrs. Rogers that “the Muslims” have the same human compassion and values as she. Dad blames Mrs. Rogers’s former ideas about Muslims on false perceptions gathered from reading “tabloid newspapers.” Mrs. Rogers had believed in negative stereotypes. By helping Mrs. Rogers, Omar’s family dispels her fear and prejudice, illustrating the importance of compassion and learning about other cultures. When Mrs. Rogers learns more about the family and the “real Islam,” she stops treating Omar’s family as “others.”

Omar also helps educate Charlie and readers about Islam as he enthusiastically describes his understanding of Ramadan. The holiday is important to Omar. It represents a challenge of faith and the promise of rewards. In teaching Charlie about Ramadan, Omar is being inclusive like Mom; he is dispelling potential misunderstandings and stereotypes and showing how his Islamic faith influences and guides his life.