BOOK Muslim American Writers at Home

This timely collection allows us to hear firsthand the amazingly diverse voices of North American Muslim writers speaking for themselves. Stereotypes are overturned on every page. Shaped by an impressive interweaving of cultures, languages and ethnicities, these writers reflect on what it means to find home-especially when prejudices and distortions abound-and how powerful it can be to feel heard, recognized, welcomed. Through stories, essays and poems, they share their family lore, spiritual journeys, childhood dreams, and memories of homes they left. They offer prayers for our world. They show us how astonishingly vast and varied Muslim American identity and experiences really are-from Mi’kmaq Muslims to Muslims whose ancestors came on the Mayflower; from Tunisian-Canadians to Puerto Ricans to Palestinians to Irish-American Muslims inspired to convert by reading Malcolm X, and more. In this chorus of unique voices, there is a unity-whether Muslim-born or a convert, immigrant or North-America-born, a seasoned elder or a budding young poet, each writer invites us to fall in love with their humanity.

Editors

Valerie Behiery, PhD, a Canadian artist, writer, and academic, devoted her life to the arts, both their making and study. Committed to bringing visibility to underrepresented artists, and convinced of the power of the arts to encourage positive social change, her writing has been published in peer-reviewed journals, reference works, art catalogues, and publications like Visual Arts News, Tribe, Nafas, Islamic Arts Magazine, and esse. A global nomad, Valerie has taught at universities in Canada, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. She has currently finished a post-master's diploma in art therapy; having experienced the profound therapeutic effects of writing and artmaking, she seeks to help others do the same. When she has spare time, she enjoys walking, reading, and experiencing the lost art of peaceful farniente.

Kitty Costello is a San Francisco-based poet, writer, workshop facilitator, editor, and psychotherapist with a master’s degree in social psychology. She relishes writing, as a tool for insight, healing, social justice and community building. She worked for 30 years for the San Francisco Public Library, including 10 years driving the bookmobile to underserved communities. Her poetry book, Upon Waking: New and Selected Poems 1977-2017, was published in 2018. Poet friends who influenced her most include Beat Poet Diane di Prima, who taught her early on how to delve into the creative wellspring within, and Native Alaskan poet Mary TallMountain, with whom she shared the delights and transformative power of writing in community. Tai chi and chai tea are two favourite pastimes.

Hanan Hazime is a multidisciplinary artist, creative writer, community arts educator, and writing instructor living in Toronto. She also identifies as a Lebanese-Canadian Muslim Feminist and Mad Pride Activist. Her writing has appeared in several publications, including The Windsor Review, Generation Magazine, and Feckless C*nt. Awards include the Alistair & Anita MacLeod Prize in Creative Writing in 2011 and the Dr Eugene McNamara Award for poetry in 2013. Her debut poetry chapbook Aorta was published by ZED Press in 2018. She’s currently working on her first novel, thanks to an Ontario Arts Council grant. When not writing or creating art, Hanan enjoys reading fantasy novels, over-analyzing things, photo-blogging, dancing with faeries in the woods, and drinking copious amounts of tea.

Muslim American Writers at Home

Buy here:

FREEDOM VOICES

AMAZON

BARNS AND NOBLE

Reviews

Muslim American Writers at Home is a compelling compilation that sheds light on the lived experiences of Muslims from diverse backgrounds, living in Canada and the U.S. Works like this are especially important in our current times as it is critical that Muslim artists take ownership of their own stories and narratives. GAMA - Gathering All Muslim Artists

At times heartbreaking and beautiful, and at times raw and unvarnished, this worthy anthology provides non-Muslim readers with the perfect antidote to the stereotypes that pervade popular media. This collection contains true gems. Graeme Truelove, author of Un-Canadian: Islamophobia in the True North

Interweavers of creativity and spirituality, these Muslim authors, whether born in, brought to, or fled to North America, take us to their "real" world of being "racialized, minoritized, and thus dehumanized," via firsthand storytelling of lived experiences, as we forge ahead toward understanding, faith, love, peace and justice, inshallah. An insightful, painful, impressive, hopeful read. Laila Hasib, Inked Resistance Islamic Publishing

This anthology gives voice to diverse Americans and Canadians whose identities include being Muslim. These writings are moving, powerful, and a celebration of our common humanity. It is not a book to be read once and then stored on your library shelf. Rather, these stories should be shared and discussed with others so as to develop a greater understanding of the life experiences of North American Muslims. Alia Hogben, Former Executive Director of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women

These powerful, poignant, personal stories about being a Muslim in North America make for a compelling and very readable collection - one that cries out for our attention. Linda McQuaig, Canadian journalist & author

In this beautiful collection of poems and essays, we are taken on a journey to find "home" and ultimately acceptance and belonging, shared humanity, through tears and laughter, through strength and fortitude. Helen Zughaib, artist, author Stories My Father Told Me

Muslim American Writers at Home is a vibrant collage of experiences and emotions. Some pieces will wrap you in their soothing warmth, others will snatch away your blanket of comfort and thrust you into the harsh reality where home and identity are only chaotically defined. As a Muslim American, I am always comforted to learn that I am not the only one whose tongue gets tied when I’m asked, "Where are you from?" Hend Hegazi, author of Normal Calm, Behind Picket Fences, and Even in the Breaks

Here we can begin to understand what is human and common among us, a vital step toward liberation from prejudice and stereotype toward belonging and acceptance. And that step, in these times, is absolutely critical. Jennifer Heath, Extraordinary Women of Islam and The Veil: Women Writers on Its History, Lore, and Politics

Buy here:

FREEDOM VOICES

AMAZON

BARNS AND NOBLE