Wadjda Page #16

before you read the Koran.

Noura nods in agreement, hiding her excitement.

NOURA:

If you feel nervous about it, maybe

you shouldn't do it.

(pause)

It's a lot of stress.

Salma gives Noura a hateful look. Ms. Hussa passes by, her

hands full of paper. Salma gets up and runs over to her. The

two speak quietly. Wajda watches them, slowly moving the rock

between her thumb and fingers as Ms. Hussa sends Salma out

the door.

110 INT. SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY 110

Wajda sits in a line with 7 girls and one empty chair, as the

following:
Wajda, Contestant #2, Noura, Contestant #4,

Yasmine, Contestant #6, Contestant #7, and an empty chair.

She nervously shakes her leg, facing a table with the

teachers. Ms. Hussa writes "First Round" on a small

blackboard and heads back to her seat with the other teacher.

A fan turns slowly above them, rattling in the silent room.

MS. HUSSA

Welcome girls, we are very proud of

you for all of the work you have

put into this competition. Now,

let's start with vocabulary from

the verses you learned. If you get

the answer right, you stay in line.

If you get it wrong, please exit to

the right of the stage. Wajda,

please come forward. Who are the

Sabians?

Wajda tries to compose herself. She brushes the sweat off her

forehead and walks to the front of the stage.

WAJDA:

They lived in Iraq. Their book is

the Zubar.

MS. HUSSA

Correct. Next. What is Ayat?

81.

The girl next to Wajda gets up and moves to the front.

CONTESTANT #2

Parts of the Koran.

MS. HUSSA

Incorrect. Next. What is Ayat?

The girl lowers her head and leaves to the right. Noura

comes to the front of the stage.

NOURA:

It's proof, like evidence.

MS. HUSSA

Correct! Go back to your place.

Next. What's Al Fitnah?

CONTESTANT #4

A problem?

MS. HUSSA

Incorrect. Next. What’s Al

Fitnah?

YASMINE:

A temptation.

MS. HUSSA

Correct. Next. What’s sodgatehun?

The 6th Contestant thinks hard, unsure. Noura looks at her

happily, while Wajda looks at her compassionately, holding

the black stone.

CONTESTANT #6

Um… charity?

MS. HUSSA

Incorrect. What is sodgatehun?

CONTESTANT #7

Dowry.

MS. HUSSA

Excellent. Well done all of you.

And now-

Just then, Ms. Jamila enters and whispers to her.

MS. HUSSA (CONT’D)

She's ready? Good, send her in.

82.

Salma enters from behind the stage. Her hair is dripping wet

and she has obviously just showered. Red faced, and

mortified, she sits at the end of the line. Wajda glances at

her. Noura glares at Salma, furiously.

MS. HUSSA (CONT’D)

Salma, please come forward. What is

Al Farqan?

Salma moves to the front of the stage.

SALMA:

The Koran.

MS. HUSSA

Excellent. Next. From the

beginning. Da'ab?

Wajda moves back to the front of the stage.

WAJDA:

Habit?

MS. HUSSA

Correct. Next. What is Zaygh?

NOURA:

Weakness.

MS. HUSSA

Correct! Next. What is “hoban

Kabiran”?

YASMINE:

Ummmm....

MS. HUSSA

Well? Sorry Yasmine. Next. What

is “Hoban Kabiran”?

CONTESTANT #7

A big.....thing?

Ms. Hussa suppresses a smile. The girl stands nervously in

her spot.

MS. HUSSA

Also incorrect. What is “Hoban

Kibiran?

SALMA:

Great Injustice.

83.

MS. HUSSA

Correct. Thank you.

Wajda looks at Ms. Hussa, trying to hide how nervous she is.

Only the three girls remain in the eight chairs.

Ms. Hussa confers with the other teacher and then stands up

and moves to the front of the room.

MS. HUSSA (CONT’D)

Those of you on the right of the

stage, please come and collect your

certificate of appreciation, thank

you for participating, I'm sure you

learned a lot. Noura, Salma, and

Wajda, congratulations, you're

going to compete for the

championship. Good luck.

111 INT. SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY (LATER) 111

Ms. Hussa stands under the words "Championship" on the

blackboard. Noura, Salma and Wajda sit at a table in front of

the stage.

Wajda looks petrified, while Noura smiles with contentment

and Salma stares ahead in quiet determination.

NOURA:

(whispering to Wajda)

I’ll bet you never thought you’d

make it this far. But beware of

the ugly bride over there, she

looks pretty determined to win.

Especially after her shower.

Wajda turns away. Salma flashes Noura a look of intense anger

about to cry.

MS. HUSSA

Girls, we'll now have you recite.

Please read until we indicate for

you to stop. We’ll start with Surat

al Nisa, from ayat 66, Noura begin

with “If we had decreed”:

NOURA:

(flatly but correct)

And if We had decreed upon them,

"Kill yourselves" or "Leave your

homes," they would not have done

it, except for a few of them.

(MORE)

84.

NOURA (CONT'D)

But if they had done what they were

instructed, it would have been

better for them and a firmer

position. And then We would have

given them from Us a great reward.

And We would have guided them to a

straight path. And whoever obeys

Allah and the Messenger - those

will be with the ones upon whom

Allah has bestowed favor of the

prophets, the steadfast affirmers

of truth, the martyrs and the

righteous. And excellent are those

as companions.

Ms. Hussa raises her hand for her to stop. Noura sits back

confidently. Ms. Hussa looks to Salma to begin.

MS. HUSSA

Salma start Surat al Bakara from

the beginning.

SALMA:

(lowering her eyes)

In the name of Allah, the

Beneficent, the Merciful. Alif Lam

Mim. This Book, there is no doubt

in it, is a guide to those who

guard against evil.

Noura’s cold eyes distract her.

SALMA (CONT’D)

Those who believe in the unseen and

keep up prayer and spend out of

what We have given them. And who…

and who…

KORAN TEACHER:

(giving her cues)

…And who believe...

SALMA:

(shaken, continuing)

…Who believe in that which has been

revealed to you and that which was

revealed before you and… uh

KORAN TEACHER:

…And they are sure of the

hereafter.

85.

SALMA:

(more shaken, continuing)

…And they are sure of the

hereafter. These are on a…

Salma stops and looks up. Ms. Hussa raises her hand.

MS. HUSSA

That's enough. Thank you, Salma.

Let's continue.

Wajda removes her sweaty hand from the table, leaving a moist

imprint on it. She dries her hand on her dress.

She puts her hand in her pocket, pulls out her Father’s stone

and grips it tightly. A piece of paper sticks out of the

pocket on her vest. She looks at Salma, trying not to cry.

MS. HUSSA (CONT’D)

Let’s continue.

Wajda puts the stone back in her pocket and waits silently

for the teacher's instructions.

KORAN TEACHER:

Wajda, please start with Surat al

Bakara, ayat 7. Starting with

“There is disease.”

Wajda looks uncertain, feeling small in the large room. She

steadies herself in a moment that drags on endlessly. In the

crowd she sees Fatin and Fatima looking directly at her. She

is about to lower her eyes but something in their now beaten

faces makes her find her confidence.

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