Muslim Authored Reads

Today's interview is with Sadia Faruqi, the author of Brick Walls: Tales of Hope and Courage from Pakistan. Ms Faruqi writes fiction, teaches cultural sensitivity, blogs about religion, and organizes interfaith events. You can learn more about Faruqi on her website: www.saadiafaruqi.com Can tell us a little bit about yourself and your book Brick Walls? I am a Pakistani American writer, speaker and interfaith activist residing in Houston, TX with my husband and two young children by the grace of God. Professionally I am a grant writer, and by vocation I am an interfaith organizer, speaking about interfaith and Islamic issues at a variety of venues in the Greater Houston area. In 2009 I published a research-based book on grant seeking, and for the last decade or so I’ve been writing non-fiction about cultural and religious issues. Only recently did I somehow get the urge to write fiction, hence my debut fiction title “Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage from Pakistan.” B...

Today's interview is with the author of Reclaim Your Heart, Yasmin Mogahed. She is  a freelance writer and international speaker. She also hosts Serenity, her show on One Legacy Radio. As Salaamu Alaikum and Welcome to the Muslim Authored Reads blog. Please tell us a little bit about your book, Reclaim Your Heart. Reclaim Your Heart is a book about freeing the heart from the chains of worldly life. It talks about healing, about coping and about redemption. What was the motivation behind writing Reclaim Your Heart My own life experiences and the lessons I was learning along the way about love, loss, pain and God. I had the wonderful opportunity to hear you read "I Prayed for Peace Today," at the Seattle IlmFest 2015. What inspired you to write that poem? A very difficult personal challenge that I had no control to alter. It made me realize how powerless I really am, and that all power belongs to God. Can you share with us your publishing journey? What wer...

Today's interview is with debut author Hend Hegazi, author of Normal Calm.  Hend is a freelance writer, whose work has appeared in notable Muslim magazines such as Azizah and SISTERS. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born and raised in Massachusetts, USA. I graduated from Smith College with a degree in biology and shortly after, moved to Egypt where I have been for the past 13 years. I’m married and have 4 children. I’m a freelance writer for SISTERS magazine as well as a couple of online magazines. Recently, I’ve delved into the role of freelance editor, which is an endeavor I’m really excited about.   Can you share with us a little about your publishing journey? I have always loved to write, but I didn’t become disciplined about it until I realized that those millions of published authors out there are no better than me! Some are exceedingly more talented and their stories are far better than mine, of course, but the opposite is also tr...

Today's interview is with author Zara J. She is the author of many Muslim fiction novels as well as the owner of University Publications .  Welcome Zara J. Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your books? I am the owner and an author of University Publications , a Muslim fiction publishing company specializing in American Muslim Fiction. I've authored Dowry Divas and American Boy. Soon, In shaa Allah I'll be releasing The Submissive Wife, which I'm really looking forward to completing. How long have you been writing? I published my first African American novel in 2012. Since then I've published six titles. I've been writing Muslim Fiction for almost a year. What are some challenges you've had to overcome writing and publishing your work? Learning how to write for your audience was something that had to be developed. You have to have a desire to increase your skill and consistently study new trends and ways to publish...

Today, I would like to introduce Irving Karchmar, the author of Master of the Jinn: A Sufi Novel. He has been a writer, editor and poet for many years, and a darvish of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order since 1992. He now lives near New York City, where he is currently at work on the Audiobook of Master of the Jinn. Listen to a sample of the story here . Welcome. Can please tell us a little bit about yourself? I am the son of Holocaust survivors who came to America in 1948. I was actually born in newly built American Army Hospital of a DP Camp, a Displaced Persons Camp in Germany just after WWII. In fact, I use that as a scene in Master of the Jinn. I have also been a writer, editor and magazine publisher most of my working life, and dabble in poetry :) In 1992, I was initiated as a darvish of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order, and began writing Master of the Jinn six months later. What inspired you to write Master of the Jinn? I was participating in majlis, our twice wee...

Today's interview is with Fatimah Ashaela Ibrahim, author of many books which includes children's titles: I Love My Hijab, The Beauty of My Hijab, Yaya and the Mystery Squad, and YA Science Fiction:  The Azurean Trilogy and her newest title, Khadijah Got Her Groove.   Thank you so much for being with us today Fatimah,   Can tell us a little bit about yourself and your book Khadijah Got Her Groove?   I am an Inspirational Author and Artist and I love to work on creative projects that have a purpose. I began writing at a very early age, but got away from it somewhat while in college and focused more on art. I became an Animator and Graphic Artist for a while, and eventually began illustrating Islamic books. After illustrating and authoring a book, I was inspired to begin doing more adult fiction writing. "Khadijah's Got Her Groove came about after meeting the owner of University Publications, Author Zara J. She encouraged me to come up with a story ...

Today's interview is with author Papatia Feauxzar. Papatia is the author of many books in the genre of romance and the founder of Djarabi Kitabs Publishing . As Salaamu Alaikum and thank you for joining us sister Papatia. Can tell us a little bit about yourself?   1- Papatia Feauxzar is my pen name. I wish to remain anonymous and to any sister who knows who I am, please keep it to yourself. Everything about me always has a French stamp on it because French is my first language. Writing is a hobby as I have a day job. I consider myself well-rounded with flaws. And it's very hard to get under my skin. I do have a breaking point though but I am always in a good mood even when below the layers, it's chaos.   What was the inspiration behind your book, Between Sisters, Svp?   The inspiration behind the book comes from many sources. First, it comes from the daily Muslim lives of many women I came across, myself ...