Themes

As he grows older, Sarfraz continues to distance himself from Islam, as he feels it is against all he believes in. He also stops fasting during Ramadan and participating in prayers at the mosque, feeling that he has different values: 

The older I became the less sense religion seemed to make; Islam, as my parents taught it, seemed to be about rules and obedience. Not thinking for yourself but trusting the words written down hundreds of years ago; I found that an unsatisfying way to live. (Reason to Believe, 52%)

The music of Bruce Springsteen seems to be, in some way, Sarfraz’s substitute for religion. . To his parents’ anger, Sarfraz sees himself and Amolak as “disciples of Bruce” (Reason to Believe,52%), whom they refer to as a prophet. Sarfraz feels that Springsteen’s music unites people more than any religion does and feels “part of a secret community defined not by geography, race or religion, but by passion” (Blood Brothers, 45%)...