Do Muslims Read eBooks?

October 16, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

I’m a Muslim and I love to read. On average I read a book every couple of days…paperback and usually fiction books.

Until about 6 weeks ago I had a desk top computer and never sat at my desk and read an ebook from my computer screen when I had the obvious choice of curling up in a comfortable chair and reading a paperback book in greater comfort… and I like the feel of a book…turning the pages… smellling the paper and ink… looking and analyzing the book cover and quality of printing and interior design add to my pleasure… I’m a publisher.. not Nuts! LOL

Six weeks ago I had a computer crash that necessitated the purchase of a new computer (a laptop) and I even decided to upgrade to high speed Internet.. I am not the last dinasour to do so… at least that’s what I tell my granddaughter who jumped up and down and cheered when my old computer crashed!

I have to face it… I am an old lady and like many of my “peers” I detest having to change…but…sometimes you just have to bite the *^%$*

A few years back a friend sent me a “free” copy of his ebook in a pdf format… I put it in a folder marked “Sometime in the Future” and sometime arrived… so relaxing in my bed with my laptop placed comfortably on my lap I decided to try and read this ebook.

The experience was less than satisfactory… other than clicking the button to go to the next page there wasn”t anything for my hands to do! Yuck!!

Maybe that was the problem? My hands were used to holding a book! I pondered this possible reason for my dis-satisfaction and thought… some more…

Maybe if I had one of those eReader machines that I would need to hold in my hands the experience wouldn’t feel so weird?  Next I had to consider if I wanted to spend a couple of hundred dollars to test this idea…Nah! 

Maybe it has to do with my 57+ years reading printed paper books that is my problem with ebooks? 

Kids today won’t have my “problem”…as they already read from a computer screen for school work, text messaging, playing games and such on computer screens.. desktop and hand held machines… reading whole books probably won’t be a weird experience for most of them…maybe one day reading a paper book will semm strange to them?  maybe paper books will only be found in museums?  Gads!! … perish that thought…

So where does this leave me as a publisher of books? 

Thinking about things like:

Will Muslim parents spend their money to buy eReaders for ebooks?

Will Muslim parents buy pdf ebooks for their kids to read on desktop and laptop computers?

Are Muslim young adults buying eReaders and reading ebooks?

Is the growth of available ebooks and various brands of eReaders something that is a happening in just westernized countries or are  sales of ebooks in various different languages besides English and ebook readers  growing significantly in Muslim predominate countries?

Will it be non-fiction ebooks that will sell with Muslims….like non-fiction paper books?  … or will Muslims buy fiction ebooks?

Will the lower price of most ebooks compared with the print paper version and lack of shipping charges and the ability to almost instantly receive your ebook through a computer download be deciding factors that will pursuade Muslims to buy ebooks?

I’ve been looking for some statistical information that might give me a clue to all my questions… but haven’t found any…in the Muslim book industry…

What I do know is that for almost a year I have made 13 pdf Islamic fiction ebooks available to Muslim readers and not one sale…..and.. I have 5 teacher study guides in a pdf ebook format that I made printable also for the users…and offered them free for 6 months to any school or home schooling parent… got two Muslims asking me for one, each.  Hmmmmm.

A Muslim self publishing author told me has had what he considers a small success with selling ebooks… giving them away free, and having his book in Kindle and Mobipocket ereader formats. he markets constantly and consistently…. maybe that is part of the reason he had some success…. but a sorta success..or small sales… is not something a publisher of many more books can base the time and expense of creating ebooks and distribution and marketing upon….

Is one sorta positive report from a Muslim author significant enough to make any judgment call on when it comes to ebooks in any format?   I sit her wishing and hoping I had some more hard data…..

Ebook reading is here to stay… of this I am certain… Muslims reading ebooks?  Just when they will in significant enough numbers… well that is a question I think that will remain in my “Something in the Future” file a while longer.

If you read ebooks.. on a laptop, desktop, or ef reading machine… let me know by sending me your comments about what you think… Do Muslims Read eBooks?

Copyright 2009 Linda Delgado All Rights Reserved

Progress with Islamic Fiction Acceptance

October 8, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

A Quick Review  First…then the Good News

Islamic fiction as a sub category of fiction is “new” to many Muslims. Why?

Most Muslim publishers don’t publish IF for youth/teens/adults because “fiction” reading and writing is not required in predominately Muslim populated countries and is not required in reading in schools.. where it is required reading in most westernized countries where millions of Muslims live.

Most retailers hesitate to buy/list/sell the available IF books as they are unsure if their “markets” book buyers want to buy and read IF…so they often won’t support IF books and authors

Most Islamic schools in the USA (possibly other westernized countries) promote, have book fairs and sell secular fiction authored and published books as a preference over IF books authored and published by Muslims. Why? They either get a higher discount from the huge secular publishers/retailers that sell books to schools or they are too lazy to review quality IF books and give their support by promoting theIF  books to parents, students, and community. Some school representatives told me they needed teacher study guides for fiction books.. so I had 6 TSGs professionally created and published…. offered them with the books and the schools still turned up their noses at Muslim authored and published quality IF books!

Parents don’t buy the IF books.. often because they don’t know where to locate/purchase locations or because the schools keep sticking secular books in their faces at the book fairs the Islamic schools sponsor once or sometimes twice a year in the Muslim communities.  Also some Muslims don’t want to pay for Muslim authored/published books yet, they don’t squawk at paying for secular fiction books for their kids.

 Well I guess the tone of this article is a tad… strident… maybe uncomplimentary to Muslims involved in one way or another with the books that do nopt reach or someimes finally reach our children/youth and teens… but I just can’t continue offering excuses. Better to just state the reality of the matter.

I am not “against” Islamic schools. Each year I select or hear about schools needing books for their libraries and I donate hundreds of dollars in free books to several schools…allowing them to select the books/CDs/board games and videos they want from a Muslim online retailer.  Check my web site at www.MuslimWritersPublishing.com/IslamicSchools to see the list of schools MWP has helped during the past 6 years.

I have sent books to Islamic schools and actually one school representative toldd me they were too busy to even bother opening the box to take a look at the books… but this same school was not too busy to order/review/promote secular authored and published books at its annual book fair and list on the school’s web site…only secular authored and published books on the school’s Recommended Books reading list!

If the Islamic schools can ‘vet” secular authored and published books for halal and harm content.. why is it that they just don’t have any time available to “vet” Muslim authored and published fiction books.. Islamic fiction books that have quality production and content and are halal?

So.. what is this “Good News? ” you may be asking after that “bleak” picture I just described?

My publishing business just published its 21st print book and a new IF book of short stories (anthology) will be published October 12th – Many Voices, One Faith II – Islamic Fiction Stories. :)   I published it for members of the Islamic Writers Alliance Inc organization… over 50 stories with 21 contributors and some very nice illustrations included as well!

The other good news is that MWP has added another Muslim retailer to its Muslim retailer distribution list and all titles/books MWP publishes are available with this Muslim retailer… including the poetry anthology MWP just published in August and the new IF Stories anthology will be also available: Sultana Bookstore & More in Berkely, Calfornia…a Muslim department store with thousdands of books and other wonderful products. available to buyers.

 Also a Muslim Book distributor making thousands of Muslim books  available  has decided to fully support Islamic Fiction.  A special section on the owner’s business web site has been created and it identifies in the main category navigation links.. Islamic Fiction!  Yea! and all thanks to Allah for this IF forward movement. The owner is looking to add additional IF books and authors! 

This is real progress. I am in discussions with the owner to identify IF on the web site by reading level and genre to be part of the IF section sometime in the future.  This would really be a step forward in how Muslim book businesses present books to potential buyers… sure will make it easier to find books in the genre and reading level teachers and parents are looking for.

So who/where is this Muslim web site?  Br. Salim’s web site is the: online islamicstore.com  …Visit the web site and read about the IF authors and their books. There is lots more work to be done… it is in progress so check back often to see the updates to this section of the web site/business.

For those reading about Islamic Fiction for the first time.. go to www.IslamicFictionBooks.com to learn what IF is and to see a list of IF book authors and the books they have had published. Learn what some scholars say about fiction writing and know that when an author writes IF stories he or she intends toinclude Islam in the stories in a non preachie way by showing rather than telling… the books are creative, enjoyable and our youth and teens often relate to the book characters and the challenges these book characters face as Muslims living as minorities in a larger secular society.  There are Islamic teachings, practices included in all IF stories which can be learned by Muslim and non-muslims who read IF books. :)

Salaams,

Widad- MWP publisher

Author of the Islamic Rose Books series – Quality IF books at affordable prices.. books that show the very best of Islam.

Interesting Comments

August 14, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

Salaams

There are some interesting comments to my article, What’s in a Name? – Islamic Fiction or Muslim Fiction. Check them out… I wrote to replies I think worth reading. :)

Widad

What’s in a Name?-Islamic Fiction or Muslim Fiction

August 11, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

I was recently asked by a new member of the Islamic Writers Alliance organization why I describe the fiction stories I and many other Muslim writers write Islamic fiction?  Why not call our stories Muslim fiction?  Is there any difference or what is it that sets the two names apart?

My knee jerk response was to go into a long explanation about Fiction… Fiction is one of the two major categories of literature. Within the two major categories: Fiction and Non-Fiction there are sub categories and these sub-categories are further defined by genres (types of stories or works) I went on to explain that most literature is divided into two main age appropriate classifications, too: Adult and Juvenile fiction and within each of these classifications the books are further defined by specific reading or age levels.

“Wait a minute,” I was told.  “I want to know about Islamic Fiction and Muslim Fiction,” he said just a tad impatiently after hearing my opening salvo. So I got down to the basics of describing what each sub-category of Fiction is and this I hoped would explain why it is important to recognize both sub-categories of Fiction.

 ***

Muslim Fiction

 Muslim fiction is a very broad and all encompassing descriptive term.  There are no boundaries for content…no prohibitions and no intentions on the Muslim writer’s part to do anything but write a fiction story.  The writer does not intend for the reader to learn anything about Islam having read the story. 

 Most often a Muslim writer who does not write Islamic Fiction will concentrate his/her story on a cultural theme (most often with children’s books) or a political theme (most often with adult books).

 Muslim fiction can be halal without being Islamic fiction.  The story may be a very creative and interesting story about a mother and her daughter entering a pie baking contest or a father and son creating a kite together and entering a Kite flying contest which is a National pass time or event.  In both instances either culture or tradition are the focus of the story.  Islam is not mentioned. The reader learns nothing about Islam and although the book characters may have “recognizable” Arabic names, the names do not provide the reader with any information about Islam.

 Muslim writers who write fiction (not Islamic fiction) are very clear about their intentions not to include any religious content in their stories.  They do not include any “Islamic” practices which would be considered “offensive” by the predominate “Christian” secular markets or publishers.

 Some of the “Islamic” content they take pains to exclude in their stories is any content about the Prophet (pbuh) having more than one wife at a time and indicting in their stories that this is permissible by God; another would be the conversion of any person of another faith to Islam; another would be to deny that Jesus is God…. the Trinity of the Christians, and another would be the Islamic teaching that women are required to cover for modesty and to please God.  These are but a few Islamic practices which would not be included in their fiction stories.

 Stories with this kind of content is considered by the Muslim writer intent on writing “secular” approved content in their stories as ‘religious’ content and they want to avoid this type of content for a couple of reasons:

1. To more easily obtain a publishing contract from a secular publisher which will bring wider distribution and awareness of the author in secular markets/readers…and most likely more profits for the author, and

2. To more easily get their Muslim authored fiction book in public schools.  Public schools in the USA have a prohibition against “religious books”. The schools must maintain a separation between religion and government (government: the use of tax payers money to operate) so religion and religious type books are prohibited in Pre K through high school in the classroom and libraries.

 Muslim fiction stories can include explicit sexual content, content which shows Islam in a negative way and content which provides false and/or inaccurate information about Islam. Muslim fiction stories can be supportive of alcohol, using drugs, promotion of boy-girl dating as halal, and girl-girl and boy-boy sexual relations, etc. 

 Muslim fiction may be written by a person-writer who labels him or herself as a Muslim fiction writer.  Readers have no way to identify the work as halal for reading for themselves or their children.  There are no boundaries as to what a Muslim fiction writer adheres to except the exclusion of halal and accurate religious/Islamic content from their work.

 Example of a fiction story written by a Muslim and the story is NOT Islamic fiction.

 I have written a complete fiction manuscript about the early years of my police career (I was not a Muslim back then in the 1970s).  When the book is published and released the secular book world-media would most likely promote this book as a Muslim fiction book because it is written by a Muslim.  But it is in no way, shape, or form an Islamic fiction book. It is a fiction book authored by a Muslim…by a Muslim writer.

 Islamic Fiction

 Islamic fiction (IF) writers are Muslim and begin with the intention that their story/ies will contain content about Islam so the reader will learn something beneficial about Islam from reading the book.

 There are boundaries or certain types of content the IF writer will never include in any of his/her stories. Please take the time to read the definitions and criteria on the Islamic Fiction Books web site: www.IslamicFictionBooks.com/

 Muslims selecting an Islamic fiction book for their children and selves should be assured they will not find specific types of content in the book and that the subject matter and content is age appropriate.

 Some people mistakenly believe that in an Islamic fiction story the Muslim and /or non Muslim book characters must always behave or conduct themselves without any wrong doing. 

You and I know that this would make the story and book characters unrealistic especially if the story is intended for adults and older teens.

 In writing of Islamic fiction stories the Muslim writer ensures that the unIslamic conduct is identified as unIslamic…this is a critical element in writing Islamic fiction. The IF writer does this by showing in the story and not by dogmatic preaching and quoting dire consequences etc.

 Example # 1 of an Islamic Fiction Story

 In the Jamilah Kolocotronis’s Echoes series, Book 5, Silence, one of her Muslim book characters grows tired of the political oppression of a non Muslim group in his town. He persuades some of his brothers in Islam to kidnap a prominent member using violence and guns. This results in a shoot out and one of the brothers is killed.  The Muslim community suffers much from these actions and many of the strides made through peaceable means are lost. The father of the rebellion group leader has a difficult time forgiving his son, but in the end does and the son seeks forgiveness from Allah for choosing violence and causing the death of his friend.

 This IF story shows Muslims acting inappropriately; committing sins. It also shows the reader that this conduct is wrong, and includes a “remedy” for wrong actions using Islam as the guide for the book characters, story, and readers.

 The younger the age of the reader the story is targeted to, the less likelihood there will be any unIslamic content. I think that this is true with Christian publishing and books…content is particularly screened for children and youth.

 Even in secular books the content for minors is screened by secular standards/laws.

 Example #2 of an Islamic Fiction Story

 In my Islamic Rose books series, Book 3, Stories, in one chapter the main character, Rose, 9 years old and creator of the Hijab-Ez Friendship group, gets upset when her best friend Camelia (a Muslimah) has her poem disqualified from a poetry contest at school by a judge who says using the Arabic words As Salaam’Alaykum and the word Allah is not English and thus disqualifies the poem.  The poetry contest theme is peace.  It is on a Friday when the disqualification notice is given to Camelia and over the week-end school officials can’t be reached.  Monday is the poetry reading event with winners are to be announced.

 Rose is very mad and devises a plan to disrupt the event with a march and signs of protest and such.  She tells her plan to the two Saudi Police officers living in her grandparents’ home (guests in the USA for a year while they learn English and police tactics with the local city police department).

 Instead of telling Rose she is making a mistake or going to Rose’s grandparents… the Saudi boys tell her the story of the Kabal and the black stone and how the Prophet (pbuh) settled an impending violent situation peaceably. This causes Rose to rethink her PLAN and she comes up with a new PLAN that the Saudi boys help her with over the week-end…a peaceable plan.  In this story there is a modern-day dilemma….and the story shows how Islam is relevant today in helping deal with modern day challenges/problems.  The reader learns something of benefit about the Prophet (pbuh) and Islam without the story being preachy, etc.  Rose is shown that there is a better way to problem solve than using violence.

 Summary

  •  An Islamic fiction writer is also a Muslim fiction writer.
  •  A Muslim fiction writer is not an Islamic fiction writer.
  • Also consider this FACT.  There are many, many fiction books written by non-Muslims and published by secular publishers that are halal…yes… they have content that is permissible and do not contain unIslamic content.  Many are nice stories like the fiction stories written by Muslim fiction writers who do NOT write Islamic fiction.

 Muslim fiction is too broad a label for a sub-category of Fiction with the specific kind of content that must and must not be included in an Islamic fiction story/book. 

 Christian writers and publishers found this to be true for books they write and publish and the intent for them is that their Christian readers be assured that when they purchase the Christian book, no matter what the reading/age group they will not read content which is offensive to the Christian… that children will not read the inappropriate content that is found in many books written and published for children/youth/teens today.

 It is my opinion that there is a lot more work involved in writing quality, creative, interesting, imaginative, Islamic fiction than is required to write a “secular-type” fiction story.  The IF writer must check Islamic references to ensure correct Islamic principles and teachings are presented without sounding preachy. The IF writer must show Islam through actions and dialog rather than telling Islamic facts in a dogmatic manner.

 Many IF writers have stopped writing IF because they cannot get their work published by Muslim publishers who continue to believe that Muslims are not interested in fiction/Islamic fiction works for older youth/teens/adults  and because secular publishers don’t want to publish what they consider “religious content-type books” which might promote Islam positively.  They have no problem with publishing a fiction book authored by a person labeling his/herself Muslim who writes a fiction story presenting Muslims or Islam unfavorably!  We have seen this with a few best sellers in the past!

 I don’t know if I have helped or muddied the waters for you in trying to make clear the differences between Islamic Fiction and Muslim fiction and why it is essential that Muslims and non Muslims recognize Islamic Fiction with its definitions and criteria as a sub-category of Fiction with Adult and Juvenile classifications and various appropriate genres.

 I think it is essential that Muslim retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and publishers selling their own published fiction use the category label (the word) fiction   and distinguish between Islamic fiction books and fiction books written by Muslims. I believe Muslim fiction literature also needs to be presented/listed by genre and age/reading levels on web sites and books placed accordingly on shelves in physical stores selling books. 

 At the present time most all Muslim publishers and book retailers lump any fiction book under the generalized “label” or category – Children’s Books.  

 There are some writers of Islamic Fiction who would have preferred the selection of the label Muslim fiction as the sub-category for Fiction literature written by Muslims. Often the reason is that there are a few “scholars” with extreme (in my opinion) points of view who have stated that fiction writing is writing lies and reading fiction is a useless waste of time. I find these opinions mostly based on the fact that the Muslims making such statements did not grow up reading any fiction books and more probably have no knowledge about anything pertaining to Islamic fiction stories.

About My Non-Fiction Writing

July 28, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

Salaams

I know this site is dedicated to primarily Islamic fiction  but thought I’d mention that occassionally I do write some non-fiction.

Each month I write a very short and concise column titled FOCUS: (article title) for The Crescent Times newspaper-Australia.  Why write a column in far away Australia?  Well for one thing the editor asked me to!  For another …the type of column he was looking for suited my available time for non-fiction writing, and lastly there are lots of topics I think about but rarely have a “public” voice to channel my thoughts through.

You can read my columns by visitng the online version of the Newspaper at: www.crescenttimes.com.au

I just submitted a new FOCUS article… its about  the hundreds of thousands of dollars annually that Muslim professionals in the book industry lose to the secular book industry because of …… well read the article and find out. :)

Just Published

July 28, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

Salaams

Just published the 20th print book for Muslim Writers Publishing.  The Size of a Mustard Seed. Check it out at my web site www.MuslimWritersPublishing.com

Its a new genre for Islamic Fiction.. Urban living

Mostly been working on the Islamic Writers Aliance organization’s 2 new anthologies.  www.islamicwritersalliance.net  The poetry anthology goes to design August 1st and once editing and design are complete the Islamic Fiction novel (25+ very diverse and outstanding stories by talented IF writers)  will begin the design and editing process. Both books should be published and available mid September!

What’s next for me… as a publisher… well a few months down time. I will be concentrating on Marketing and Promoting  and I have about made up my mind to finish one of the three incomplete manuscripts I have in my “dusty” file folder of pending writing work. :)

Which manuscript will it be?

Islamic Rose Books 5: Reunion… OR

A Muslim’S Guide…. Expanded/Advanced Edition.. OR

A new Halal Cookbook…

(?)

UpDate On My Activities

June 15, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

Salaams

It’s been ages since I last posted here.  I have been extremely busy with publishing new Islamic Fiction books.

Just published June 1, Silence by Jamilah Kolocotronis. this is the 5th and last book in her Echoes series. :(

Just sent a new  IF genre: Urban IF to design, The Size of a Mustard Seed that I expect to have published by July 1.

Just sent the 6th TSG manuscript to the editor and with the publishing of this one for the IF  novel, Muslim Teens in Pitfalls and Pranks, I will be closing out the TSg project for this year.

I have been busy the last couple of months creating 2 anthologies.. involves 40-50 authors: one Poetry Ab nthology and one IF short stories anthology for the IWA organization.  Depending on many factors (always in publishing) MWP (my publishing business) hopes to have the 2 anthologies published by October of this year.

Just so many “tasks” with publishing anthologies that it is not so easy to fix a real firm date in a publishing schedule. :(

New updates should be posted to the IslamicFictionBooks website.  More IF authors and book titles added to the list and additionally about 75 new children’s book titles and authors.   This web site is a valuable if you are looking for quality IF books and such a diversity of genre and authors!  Stop by for a visit!

On a personal note… had a battery of tests done f on my heart/arteries and got a “good” results for each test.  This is good news as its been a long and tough road back to somewhat normal after my last heart attack.  I am thankful to Allah for His mercy to me and for the benefit of my family.

 

Have been writing a monthly column: FOCUS: (title) for the Australian newspaper, Crescent times for about 5 or maybe 6 months now.  The articles are short.. 300 or so words but zero in on issues not often discussed in our Ummah but need discussion.

Wrote a new IF short story: The Flying Horse… it will be published in the IWA’s anthology.

 

One of my Dv poems was chosen to be laced on a website which is doing alot to bring attention to Dv and offer information and services. Please visit:

 Rhode Island Council of Muslim Advancement, sisters’ wing

at:  http://www.ricma.org/SW-home.htm

 

No new poetry for now. Until my next blog entry.. Stay safe and well and if you are going to the ISNA convention..stop by the IWA’s vendor table and say Salaams to the Sisters…if you have a child with you… let them enter the coloring contest my publishing business is sponsoring! :)

Salaams, Widad

www.MuslimWritersPublishing.com

Who Will Stand Up For Me?

February 17, 2009 by islamicfictionbooks

Waiting…

She huddled on the floor.
Ahmed glared at her from the open door.
Amina looked at him in abject fear.
She knew better than to cry a tear.

Her heart thudded wildly, her chest filled with pain.
He shouted words cruel and profane.
She lifted her eyes…watched him draw near.
The man she had loved who had once called her dear.

Cringing…

Not one more word from you.
You know very well what I can do.
He snatched the head scarf off her head.
And threw it down on the broken bed.

While I am gone you will not move.
Else more than a head scarf will you lose.
It’s all your fault and I don’t care.
Stupid woman you have made me late for prayer.

With that said he stormed out of the house.
Muttering he did not deserve such an idiot spouse.
Amina crawled to the bedside chair.
Her busted lip dripping blood everywhere.

I Will Stand Up For You…

Amina? Amina! What has happened to you?
Her neighbor Yasmin paused, then said I know what to do.
Amina’s quavering voice replied I am okay.
Don’t worry…no need for you to stay.

Nonsense, you are coming with me.
I am taking you to a safe place, you will see.
Don’t argue and do not feel dread.
My husband Tarek will handle Ahmed.

Yasmin and Amina sat quietly behind the screen.
In the prayer room they could not be seen.
Amina’s sisters whispered to her softly.
We stand up for you. Stand up for yourself with me.

Friday Kutbah ended and Imam said brothers don’t go.
I have a matter you all must know.
He pointed to Ahmed and said it is time to stop your harm.
You cannot hide your wrong behind your charm.

Tarek stood next to the Imam for all to see.
I stand up for Sister Amina. Who will stand up for her with me?
One by one the brothers stood.
Brothers in union said we stand up as we should.

Stand Up Against Domestic Violence.

© 2009 Linda D. Delgado All Rights Reserved

He’s Coming!-A Poem-Focus on Domestic Violence

September 27, 2008 by islamicfictionbooks
He’s Coming!
 
Two Hours Late
Dinner is cold, now
Door slams with a BANG
Mama whispers, Hurry Miriam!
Hide!
 
Fear
 
In my closet
Inside the toy box. Close the lid
He’s shouting at Mama
Glass and furniture breaking
Mama screams and screams
 
Terror
 
I cover my ears
My eyes tightly squeesed shut
Waiting…terrified!
Afraid to breathe
Heavy footsteps in my room
 
Silence
 
Mama’s not crying, now
Footsteps going away
How long to stay hidden?
Silent tears fall
Poor mama. Quiet…wait for mama
 
Fitful sleep
 
Awake. I’m frightened
Loud voices calling
Miriam? Miriam? Calling my name
But not Mama’s voice
Heavy footseps getting closer. He’s coming!
 
He’s coming!
 
I scream and scream
Sisters from the masjid look down at me
Where’s my mama?
We’ll take care of you, they say
We’re here to help you.
 
Like you helped my mama?
She begged for help
You turned your faces away
It’s not my business
All of you would say.
 
Go away
 
I want my mama! I scream
But I know by the look on their faces
Hush Miriam, your Mama’s gone.
He won’t hurt her again.
How can he… I wail. She’s dead!
 
I scream and scream.
© 2008 Linda D. Delgado All Rights Reserved

My Response to a Reader’s Comments About the IF Article I Recently Posted

July 26, 2008 by islamicfictionbooks

This response is lengthy, necessary so please read All the content. Thanks.

As Salaam’Alaykum

 

Thank you for taking the time to comment and voice your opinions about this article.  All POV are acceptable here on the IslamicFictionBooks blog.

 

First I will copy and paste some text taken from the IslamicFictionBooks website pertaining to Islamic Fiction works.; make some general comments about IF;  then respond to various comments you made within the entire commentary you wrote.

This will be a very long reply but please read through to the end. Thank you. J

 

From www.IslamicFictionBooks.com:

 

Differences in Islamic Practices and Teachings
While Islamic knowledge presented in Islamic Fiction may be taken directly from the Holy Qur’an and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as well as from Islamic history, not all of the Islamic content in these books will be considered factual or acceptable by all Muslim readers. This is due to differences between a Muslim reader and the writers, editors, and publishers with respect to personal practices, beliefs and knowledge, as well as the influence of his mathab, culture, and traditions.” 

AND

Islamic Reminder
Determining the accuracy and permissibility of Islamic content is the responsibility of every adult Muslim reader. This may differ according to individual differences in madhab and practice. All Muslim parents, guardians, teachers, and school administrators must determine whether a book’s content is halal for their children and students. This Islamic Reminder holds true for all materials a Muslim reads.”

My General Commentsabout IF:

1.      Many Muslims do not want their children/youth/teens to read books that contain the content described as harmful on the IFB website.  This is their choice and they have the right to choose. I think you will agree. I define children/youth/teens as any age under the legal age for an adult. It is my belief (one held when I was a non Muslim and held as a Muslim that parents/teachers/guardians have an obligation and duty to know what their children are reading and screen out books with inappropriate/harmful content. Muslim adults are held accountable to Allah for what they choose to read.

2.      In most Islamic schools today teachers, school administrators do not have a “choice” between fiction books authored by Muslims and fiction books authored by non Muslims for youth and teens simply because Muslim publishers do not publish fiction books for these reading levels be it Islamic fiction (as defined on the IFB website) or Other fiction written by Muslims for these reading levels.

3.      Most Islamic schools sponsor book fairs and promote/sell books authored by non Muslims which have content inconsistent with generally accepted Islamic teachings/practices such as dating, boys and girls mixing, celebrating Christian holidays, eating harmful foods and consuming harmful drinks such as dinner wines etc. These books do not have Muslim book characters and Muslim children/teens have difficulty identifying with many of the situations and book characters.

4.      As to using curse words… most Muslim parents would fnot like their children/yout even teens reading vulgar words such as the four letter “F” word and taking the name of Allah in vain ….extremely objectionable in my opinion… As an adult I do not like reading books that are riddled with this kind of content…but that is my choice. Right?

I seriously doubt whether you have read any/many Islamic fiction books. Such as the Echoes series by Sister Jamilah Kolocotronis (4 books published) with the 5th and final book in the series in rewrites slated for editing.  This is a family “saga” series spanning several decades and is about the lives of generations of a family and extended family…their loves, trials, marriages, failures, challenges, problems, and such.  The  characters are reverts, Muslims born into Islamic families, and non Muslims. The settings and situations are in modern times in the USA.  The challenges, trials, human failings of the book characters are woven into the compelling stories as are the triumphs and most importantly for Islamic fiction…. Key elements about living and practicing Islam…without one bit of “preachy” content.  The characters are flawed as we humans are… they struggle and turn to Allah after many trials and errors.  Yet… this fine Islamic series is not riddled with explicit sexual content or descriptions, the books are not riddled with curse and swear words although as adult fiction you might read (sparingly) a cuss word of a non vulgar nature!

The book Muslim Teens in Pitfalls and Pranks (targeting Muslim teen readers- LOL) is another fine example of Islamic fiction… the story has 7 primary Muslim teen book characters and they live in the USA and attend public high school…one is attending university. The story is about common challenges our Muslim teens face as Muslim minorities living in a much larger non Muslim society.  The book characters and situations/challenges described in the story are very believable.  The 7 Muslim teens are “not perfect.”  There isn’t any “preachy” content either.

 

One situation I will briefly describe.  A brother is participating/playing as a member of the high school’s football team.  He begins to feel the pressure of seeing non Muslim classmates dating and mixing… hugging and kissing and he sees teen non Muslim girls dressing in sometimes provocative manner or at the least not covered as many Muslim sisters are.  One of the team’s popular cheerleaders shows interest in this brother and is a common enough practice among non Muslim teens …she flirts and tries to get his attention… she succeeds.  She is very attractive and invites the brother to meet with her on various occasions.  The brother is troubled by his adolescent feelings and natural urges which are to be expected in  young Muslim teen males. He discusses with a Muslim confident the fact that he is considering meeting with this girl… sneaking about so as not to be seen by other Muslim friends or taking chances that his parents will find out.  He asks for advice from an older brother attending university, but he does not act on the good Islamic advice given to him. Instead he meets with the girl more than once…even experiences being kissed by the girl … and he feels guilty and knows what he is doing is unacceptable in Islam. He does not tell his older Muslim confident that he is sneaking about seeing the cheerleader and kissing and such. He is stricken with remorse and knows he has sinned not only by his sneaking around and having such contact with this girl but by all the lies he tells to cover up what he is doing. He cannot take his guilt any more and…….well I will not spoil this story for readers but believe me he is not taken out and beaten or whipped! LOL

 

Do you find these Islamic fiction examples so objectionable and puritanical?

What sets them apart besides the criteria for harmful content not being present is the inclusion of correct Islamic teachings and responses to the unIslamic conduct/decisions/ situations which is delivered in a way that is not dogmatic or preachy or that alienates the reader!

 

The Islamic fiction writer intends for the reader to learn something about the truth and beauty of Islam.  Also the IF writer may include cultural practices by Muslims which are mistakenly believed to be islamic and the IF writer weaves in this fact and provided Islamic information without the dogma.

 

Muslims who do not write Islamic fiction do not have as a primary goal the intentions for readers to learn about Islam through the telling of the story…weaving Islam into the story in a manner that does not debate, alienate, be preachy, or dogmatic.

 

There is a market for Islamic fiction works. You may not include yourself as part of this market and that is okay as it is your choice to decide what you read.

 

As to classics written… fables and such… it should be  (in my opinion) at the parents discretion to determine if some of this literature should be read by their under legal age children/youth/teens.  Children’s’ maturity and comprehension levels should weigh heavily versus the actual content in the decision on which books to provide to children/youth and young teens. I use 18 years and up as my yardstick for the adult reading level.

 

Even in the secular book world there are “standards” upheld as to what is considered appropriate content. As Muslims we need to have appropriate standards for content also for what we write and what we allow ourselves and those younger under-age Muslims to read that we are acountable to Allah for.

  

Your Comment: Islamic Fiction, as you define it, would potentially exclude classical Muslim literature such as a 1001 Nights. Martin Lings, one of the most revered Sufis of our time, loved Shakespeare – yet his plays are full of bawdy humor (Hotspur’s wit was particularly lewd). Would you, like the middle class parents in Orwell’s ‘A Clergyman’s Daughter’, ban his works from the Muslim classroom?

 

My Comments:  I don’t believe I used the word “ban” anywhere in the article you commented on. If an adult Muslim chooses to read books authored by Muslims which contains bawdy content., etc. …that is the adult choosing. I do not think books like this have a place in the school classroom where it is left to teachers to try and determine what each parent or guardian of his/her students will think about “bawdy” content being acceptable. A university student is of an age and hopefully maturity where books like this could be read if required or desired.

 

Your Comment: As Oscar Wilde affirmed, art is art and there is no such thing as inherently moral art. A murder in a book is not a murder in real life, nor will it make murder in reality more likely.

 

My Comment:  did I “ban” as you stated murder from Islamic fiction works? Did I state anywhere that murder is not a reality? I think not. Please don’t put words in my mouth that I have not thought or spoken.  If an Islamic fiction story included the murder of a person/s in the story you can be sure that the Islamic teaching about murder will be woven into the story as well without being any of the things “you think” negatively about Islamic Fiction being present.

 

Your Comment: Moreover, Islam does NOT ban swearing!! Even al-Qaradawi only argues a Muslim should not to swear often (See his Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong).

 

My comment: I do not think using swear words is appropriate in fiction Muslim children, youth, and teens read.  For adults this is another matter. In any instance using Allah’s name in vain or using coarse and vulgar phrases/words is not really necessary if the writer is skilled and creative… the same emotions and impact can be evoked without actually using the words. Any writer worth his/her salt as a professional writer should be able to do this.  My opinion. J

 

Your Comment:  This is really puritanical art you are peddling and, as such, it will simply exclude all those human failings that are the source of drama and hence all those things that make art interesting. Arguably, art is Islamic because it is beautiful, and beauty is evocative of Allah (swt).

 

My Comment: This last comment of yours is based, in my opinion, on your ignorance (lack of knowledge) about what Islamic Fiction works really are. Perhaps you haven’t read an Islamic fiction book?  This would not surprise me as few Muslim publishers will publish any kind of fiction beyond little kids’ color picture/illustrated books for reading levels lower than 3rd grade! And for the Islamic fiction books which Muslim authors have managed by many trials to get published … Muslim retailers (most) will not make the books available. Not because they are poor quality as to stories or editing or book production… but just because they are fiction.

 

I challenge you to read one of the Islamic fiction Echoes series books or one of the two teen Islamic fiction books I published for two very fine Muslimah authors.

 

I will even send you a copy of one of the Echoes series books and one of the teen books if you will as Muslim… promise to come back to this blog and comment on the books for visitors, J  You can send me your mailing name, address and phone number to my email address is woodad@mindspring.com  I will then use this info with the rpinting company and have your books shipped directly to you…..no charge.

 

You see I am so confident you will be so pleasantly surprised and appreciative of the work of these IF authors that I am willing to pay for the books and mailing costs to send them to you. J

 

Your comment: Bad art – like Aboulela’s ‘Minaret’ is simply dull and benefits no one, except moralists on a mission!

 

My Comment: I have no experience with the above so I can not comment on your statement.

 

Salaams,

Widad (Linda Delgado)

Author and Publisher of Islamic Fiction books.