Unlocking the way for books celebrating Islam
Thursday, April 19, 2007
RANDA Abdel Fattah, 27, says she has a "hyphenated identity". An Australian Muslim of Palestinian-Egyptian parentage, she attended a Catholic primary school despite her Muslim upbringing.
At 13, Randa decided to wear the hijab (Muslim veil), which she did for several years. Her first book, Does My Head Look Big in This?, published in 2005, was loosely based on the reactions that followed.
The book written with wit tells the story of 16-year-old Amal, a typical teenager who happens to be a Muslim-Palestinian-Australian. It gives an insight into Amal's struggle with her faith and the challenges she encounters after she decides to wear the hijab.
Randa squeezed an interview with The Brunei Times into a busy week of meeting the press, visiting schools and giving talks during her four-day visit to the sultanate.
Randa said she was impressed with the women of Brunei: "They're outstanding, ambitious and have powerful positions. It's a society that provides opportunity for women while embracing Islam."
Even the students here managed to leave their mark on her when she spoke at Jerudong International School, International School Brunei and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
"There's a dynamic student body. To see the harmonious cultural and religion interaction is fascinating. They also have a sophisticated world view."
Of her decision to write Does My Head Look Big in This?, Randa said "it was a book that needed to be written from a Muslim point of view".
"In most literature works which have been sensationalised or border on the scandalous, women have always been portrayed as oppressed victims escaping from Islam. It's hard to write a book with mass appeal about women empowered by their faith."
So far it has been smooth sailing for her debut book with sales topping 50,000. "There's no backlashes so far," she said.
"I suppose there's a vacuum such a book fills. People are thirsty for stories that celebrate Islam. It's a challenge to find a voice that dispels the fixed perception," she said.
Randa believes that society fails to distinguish between Islam and culture. "When stories of oppression upon women crop up, these are cultural practices and not Islam. Instead of denying the fact, we should weave this into the story and expose those who exploit religion for cultural purposes or personal agenda. The greatest challenge is to live against the stereotype," she said.
Randa believes that reading is an effective way to change people's minds, so it's only logical that she writes something to debunk the many misconceptions society have regarding Muslims, especially women.
Born, raised and living as a minority in Melbourne, Randa sees the need to address this issue in her second book, Ten Things I Hate About Me, released in September last year.
Randa tackles the theme of a Lebanese Muslim girl grappling with her identity while growing up in Australia. Confused and embarrassed by her heritage, Jamilah anglicises her Arabic name to Jamie. She thinks the only way to fit in is to deny her background and imitate her friends.
She explains: "Being a child of migrants, so often you're made to feel unacceptable even if you're born in the country. You have to assimilate and, at times, abandon your values.
"But I've always had a strong sense of my own identity and learnt not to conform into any mould. You have to make peace with your mixed background.
"On the other hand, living as a minority, you'll have the tendency to insulate yourself. You'll take religion for granted if you're surrounded by it. It's when you don't protect it that you'll lose the connection."
Currently, Randa is working on her "crossover" novel about two Palestinian boys living under occupation which is due out this year. The idea to write about Palestine has been lingering since her visit to this war-torn land in 2000.
"It was an amazing experience to see the land where my father was told to leave," she said. "Palestine has been denied freedom. To write about Palestine is challenging.
"I was inspired to write it because of the injustice done to my father. I believe it's everyone's duty to correct injustice.
"Law and writing are very different. But writing is fascinating. It's a form of escapism. I did my first book in nine months and the second in five."
Besides juggling a full time job as a lawyer and being a published author, Randa is also a mother to 15-month-old daughter Deyana al-Kadomi, a name deriving from the Arabic word deen meaning faith.
"It's a real challenge to raise a human being. You always want to protect her. I want to be supportive of her as my parents have been to me," she said.
"My parents pushed my sister and me to do well academically and Islamically. I'm living my dream. It's tough but I wouldn't have it any other way."The Brunei Times
At 13, Randa decided to wear the hijab (Muslim veil), which she did for several years. Her first book, Does My Head Look Big in This?, published in 2005, was loosely based on the reactions that followed.
The book written with wit tells the story of 16-year-old Amal, a typical teenager who happens to be a Muslim-Palestinian-Australian. It gives an insight into Amal's struggle with her faith and the challenges she encounters after she decides to wear the hijab.
Randa squeezed an interview with The Brunei Times into a busy week of meeting the press, visiting schools and giving talks during her four-day visit to the sultanate.
Randa said she was impressed with the women of Brunei: "They're outstanding, ambitious and have powerful positions. It's a society that provides opportunity for women while embracing Islam."
Even the students here managed to leave their mark on her when she spoke at Jerudong International School, International School Brunei and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
"There's a dynamic student body. To see the harmonious cultural and religion interaction is fascinating. They also have a sophisticated world view."
Of her decision to write Does My Head Look Big in This?, Randa said "it was a book that needed to be written from a Muslim point of view".
"In most literature works which have been sensationalised or border on the scandalous, women have always been portrayed as oppressed victims escaping from Islam. It's hard to write a book with mass appeal about women empowered by their faith."
So far it has been smooth sailing for her debut book with sales topping 50,000. "There's no backlashes so far," she said.
"I suppose there's a vacuum such a book fills. People are thirsty for stories that celebrate Islam. It's a challenge to find a voice that dispels the fixed perception," she said.
Randa believes that society fails to distinguish between Islam and culture. "When stories of oppression upon women crop up, these are cultural practices and not Islam. Instead of denying the fact, we should weave this into the story and expose those who exploit religion for cultural purposes or personal agenda. The greatest challenge is to live against the stereotype," she said.
Randa believes that reading is an effective way to change people's minds, so it's only logical that she writes something to debunk the many misconceptions society have regarding Muslims, especially women.
Born, raised and living as a minority in Melbourne, Randa sees the need to address this issue in her second book, Ten Things I Hate About Me, released in September last year.
Randa tackles the theme of a Lebanese Muslim girl grappling with her identity while growing up in Australia. Confused and embarrassed by her heritage, Jamilah anglicises her Arabic name to Jamie. She thinks the only way to fit in is to deny her background and imitate her friends.
She explains: "Being a child of migrants, so often you're made to feel unacceptable even if you're born in the country. You have to assimilate and, at times, abandon your values.
"But I've always had a strong sense of my own identity and learnt not to conform into any mould. You have to make peace with your mixed background.
"On the other hand, living as a minority, you'll have the tendency to insulate yourself. You'll take religion for granted if you're surrounded by it. It's when you don't protect it that you'll lose the connection."
Currently, Randa is working on her "crossover" novel about two Palestinian boys living under occupation which is due out this year. The idea to write about Palestine has been lingering since her visit to this war-torn land in 2000.
"It was an amazing experience to see the land where my father was told to leave," she said. "Palestine has been denied freedom. To write about Palestine is challenging.
"I was inspired to write it because of the injustice done to my father. I believe it's everyone's duty to correct injustice.
"Law and writing are very different. But writing is fascinating. It's a form of escapism. I did my first book in nine months and the second in five."
Besides juggling a full time job as a lawyer and being a published author, Randa is also a mother to 15-month-old daughter Deyana al-Kadomi, a name deriving from the Arabic word deen meaning faith.
"It's a real challenge to raise a human being. You always want to protect her. I want to be supportive of her as my parents have been to me," she said.
"My parents pushed my sister and me to do well academically and Islamically. I'm living my dream. It's tough but I wouldn't have it any other way."The Brunei Times
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