I am not the greatest writer I know, but I want to throw something that I have been working on for a long time out there to you. And somehow in all my chaos this is giving me a purpose, hope...
When I first converted I read a book called Daughters Of Another Path. It was great to be able to relate to the women whose stories were being told, but it was from a perspective outside the inner circle if you will (a mom writing about her daughter's conversion). I am looking for help in the form of sisters willing to write about their experiences, give advice to new converts, and maybe fill out a canned questionnaire that I am using to get some general info. My dream is to have a book for new Muslims, and probably just converts in general that can help through the transition(for lack of a better word) into Islam. There are 100's of how to pray, how to make wudu, these are the five pillars, don't do this or that books out there... But we lack a book that speaks truly to the largest section of the growth in the Muslim population... Western women. Do you see where I'm going with this? A kinda from the hip book with REAL advice and information, stories to relate to. Which brings me to another question... Would you buy such a book?
I also want to ask people who have had something published how they went about it. I think, insha'Allah, there is a market/need for this book... I just don't know how you ever get someone to publish you. Do I start with just ideas and samples, or do I wait until the whole book is done? My thing is, I want to have someone say they will publish so I can take care of all the legal things associated with having people contribute as the publisher wants... I would hate to have someone submit something that would not get added because I forgot to get all the pertinent info from them and I couldn't find them later.
The more I really commit to working on this, the more it is just kinda flowing... And I think if you choose to write about your conversion and your advice to new Muslims, you will find the same. I would have loved to find such a book when I first converted. Sisters and brothers, give a girl a helping hand here... Anything will help. Spread the word that I am looking for stories;)
Jazak'Allah Khair.
Hadith about sisters and daughters
2 years ago
13 comments:
Masha'allah, this is a fantastic idea and project. Jazakallahkhair. This could also be the kind of good deed that keeps earning you reward after you die, insha'allah.
I'd be interested in the questionnaire, and I'd definitely be interested in buying such a book. I think insha'allah it could really help new reverts or people considering reverting. I would also love to give my younger sister something like this...she's young & hip (21) & I'd like to let her clue in on what young Western reverted muslim women are really like (besides me). I think it just sort of bewilders her at this point.
I'll see what I can do to spread the word about your story search, insha'allah.
Let us know how it's coming along. I'm so happy to hear that it's flowing for you.
This sounds like a good idea.
I'd be interested too
Asalaam Alaikum Sister,
Interested too!
May Allah bless you and your family,
Aeryn
why not try From My Sister's Lips by Naima B. Robert...
Assalaam 'alaikum sis,
I think its a good idea, do you mean something like, "Chicken Soup for the New Muslimah's Soul"? :)
I think if I knew of such a book and if it was affordable, I'd be interested in buying it to give away to people that I think might be interested in Islaam.
Also, if there's anything I can do to help, I'd love to in shaa' Allah. I'm not technically a revert, but you know how it is, we're always kinda going through it and feeling weak at times and having to "revert" at times, al7amdulillah for Allah's mercy and forgiveness.
:)
Assalaam 'alaikum sis,
I think its a good idea, do you mean something like, "Chicken Soup for the New Muslimah's Soul"? :)
I think if I knew of such a book and if it was affordable, I'd be interested in buying it to give away to people that I think might be interested in Islaam.
Also, if there's anything I can do to help, I'd love to in shaa' Allah. I'm not technically a revert, but you know how it is, we're always kinda going through it and feeling weak at times and having to "revert" at times, al7amdulillah for Allah's mercy and forgiveness.
:)
Ok, sorry about that, just posted twice without realizing lol.
I think it's a great idea.
as-salaamu `alaykum
I think it's a good idea too, but you would have to draw up a questionnaire in a Word Document or something and then send it around to email lists and other places and ask people to return it with their responses. I think there are some ethical procedures for doing this which you could ask about on the CN or something (you know what I'm talking about--Hilary Flower is on there I think, you could find her and ask her how she did the questionnaire for the Tandem Nursing book for example) what I mean is that you have to tell the people participating that their real name and identifying details will not be used, etc. I could think of a list of questions that you could include to give you ideas inshaa Allah.
By the way, as per the "chicken soup" thing, that phrase is actually a trademark that only the publishers of that series can use. My understanding is that some Muslims did approach the publisher of that series requesting to do a Muslim version of Chicken Soup (they have had Christian and Jewish versions) and the publishers of course said no. :(
Sounds like a wonderful idea, may Allah make you successful in all the good you set out to do, AAMEEN. I will definately put the word out there for you insha-Allah. And I don't see why I wouldn't invest in this book even so that others could benefit. Be back soon, insha-Allah. As-salaamu Alaykum
Asalaamu' Alaikum.
I also read "Daughters Of Another Path" about a year after reverting and it helped so much. I bought and gave a copy of the book to my mother, (which she never read), but al-humdulillah. I agree more of this type of literature is needed for new muslimahs and especially their families and friends who are having difficultly with the choice/ changes we've made. A documentry called "Mum, I'm a Muslim" is good and also covers the same issues. So maybe you could also make a documentry film??? Anyway may your efforts be fruitful insha'Allah. Also, I will help spread the word and would love to participate in a questionaire for you. Mabruk on the birth of your fouth child, masha Allah.
Sally Umm Omar
Hello,
I just came across your blog and wanted to say hello. While I am not a Muslim myself, I think that what you would be doing for the Muslim community, especially young new members of your faith, is immensely important. I think that regardless of the religion you follow, people (and of course particularly women) need to feel that they have the resources available to them not just to pray and do religious rituals properly, but to also integrate themselves into the religious community.
As I said, I am not a Muslim, but I would actually read this book. I love learning about different religions and cultures, and I think it would be fascinating to look at Islam from a Western woman/women's perspective. I find conversion in all religions to be extremely fascinating, as I am a convert myself (to Judaism).
I wish you all the best in your endeavors. Please feel free to check out my blog sometime.
--Hila
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