# Im Hanna — The Book of Khalid character guide

> Im Hanna in The Book of Khalid by Ameen Rihani.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hanna, Dear old Im Hanna

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-via-dolorosa

## Who they are

An elderly Syrian woman in New York whose motherly presence keeps the young immigrants tethered to the old country's warmth and grief.

## Relationships

### [Khalid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/khalid)

_family_

Im Hanna is Khalid's mother, a source of emotional grounding and traditional values in his life.

### [Shakib](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/shakib)

_family_

Im Hanna treats Shakib like a second son, welcoming him into her home and caring for him.

### [Khalid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/khalid)

_family_

Im Hanna is Khalid's mother, a source of emotional grounding and traditional values in his life.

### [Shakib](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/shakib)

_family_

Im Hanna treats Shakib like a second son, welcoming him into her home and caring for him.

### [Khalid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/khalid)

_family_

Im Hanna is Khalid's mother, a source of emotional grounding and traditional values in his life.

### [Shakib](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/shakib)

_family_

Im Hanna treats Shakib like a second son, welcoming him into her home and caring for him.

## In the story

### [On the Wharf of Enchantment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iv-on-the-wharf-of-enchantment)

A peddleress who keeps their cellar in order and cooks for them, serving as a mother figure.

### [VI: The Summer Afternoon of a Sham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vi-the-summer-afternoon-of-a-sham)

Mentioned as being left alone with Khalid on Sundays while Shakib goes out, indicating her role in Khalid's daily life.

### [In the Twilight of an Idea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vii-in-the-twilight-of-an-idea)

Scolds Khalid for his idleness and suggests he be taken to Mar-Kizhayiah, believing his reading has affected his mind.

### [IV: The Last Star](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iv-the-last-star)

Cooks the last dish of mujaddara as the group prepares for departure.

### [Priesto-Parental](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/v-priesto-parental)

Khalid's mother, who pleads with him to return home and obey his father, and secretly meets him in the Temple of Venus.

### [Flounces and Ruffles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vi-flounces-and-ruffles)

Mentioned as a character in the broader narrative, though not directly present in this chapter's excerpts.

### [The Howdaj of Falsehood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/vii-the-howdaj-of-falsehood)

Pleads with the priest for justice and mercy for her son, and publicly laments his excommunication.

### [Book the Third: In Kulmakan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/book-the-third-in-kulmakan)

Khalid's mother, who welcomes him home and represents the old ways of the village.

### [On the Open Highway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iv-on-the-open-highway)

A poor peasant woman who offers Khalid overnight hospitality, sharing her meager meal of bread and olives.

### [V: Union and Progress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/v-union-and-progress)

Returns from New York and encounters Khalid in Beirut, embracing him and commenting on his changed appearance and attire.

### [The Stoning and Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/ix-the-stoning-and-flight)

Khalid's mother, visits him in the hotel, begging him to come home.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters/im_hanna
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/characters