Veiled, Turbaned and Dangerous––Novelist Explores the Changed Identity of Muslims in Post 9/11 Ameri
Newswire Services
February 17, 2009
Award-winning Pakistani-American author, Shaila Abdullah's new novel "Saffron Dreams" offers readers a chance to explore the tragedy of 2001 from an uncommon viewpoint and examines Islamophobia in the aftermath.
Austin, TX — Hailed as "highly recommended" by Library Journal, Shaila Abdullah's novel "Saffron Dreams" awakens us to a story of a culture in shock. The book was just released this month. Set in New York, the novel leads the readers through a soul-searching and at times gut-wrenching journey of its protagonist. Arissa Illahi, a Muslim artist and writer has everything going for her— a devoted husband and a much-anticipated child on the way. After her husband's death in the collapse of the World Trade Center, the discovery of his manuscript marks Arissa's reconnection to life. Her unborn son and the unfinished novel fuse in her mind into one life-defining project that becomes, at once, the struggle for her emotional survival and the redemption of her race. In a world where American psyche was seriously damaged by the events of 2001, Arissa must find the courage to deal with questions about her faith and come to terms with her own loss. In the process, she redefines who she is and builds a new life for herself and her son.
A master storyteller, Abdullah crafts her characters to enhance her themes of tolerance and hope. The novel is a memorial to the victims of 9/11, a source of strength for the survivors, and a vehicle of understanding for those struggling to make sense of the conflict between the East and West in the twenty-first century. It is a tale of the times that reflects the hopes and dreams for the future.
The geopolitical concerns that have drawn Islam and the West into many conflicts since 2001 have also generated a thirst for multicultural literature—fiction and nonfiction, with a Muslim angle. At a time when much of the world associates Islamic culture with oppression and terror, the new genre is tackling such universal themes as love, hope, and women's issues. Harvard professor Dr. Ali Asani describes the novel as "eloquently written, a must-read for any one interested in exploring the lived experiences of Muslim women in the United States." In "Saffron Dreams," Abdullah captures the essence of ordinary Muslims who create nothing newsworthy and power no conflicts to be of any value to the media. "I looked on as day after day the media tried, sentenced, and hung my faith," she says in her book. "I witnessed the lynching of a religion and race again and again. What proof did I have of the innocence of the rest of us?"
Noted as "Word Artist" by critics, Shaila Abdullah is an award-winning author and designer based in Austin, Texas. Her creative work focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistani women and their often unconventional choices in life. Her debut book, "Beyond the Cayenne Wall," is a collection of stories about Pakistani women struggling to find their individualities despite the barriers imposed by society. The collection won the Norumbega Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction and the DIY Festival Award. The Hobson Foundation awarded Abdullah a grant for "Saffron Dreams." In addition, Abdullah has published several short stories, articles, and essays in publications that include "Women's Own," "She," "Fashion Collection," "Sulekha," and "Dallas Child." She is a member of the Writers' League of Texas.
Austin, TX — Hailed as "highly recommended" by Library Journal, Shaila Abdullah's novel "Saffron Dreams" awakens us to a story of a culture in shock. The book was just released this month. Set in New York, the novel leads the readers through a soul-searching and at times gut-wrenching journey of its protagonist. Arissa Illahi, a Muslim artist and writer has everything going for her— a devoted husband and a much-anticipated child on the way. After her husband's death in the collapse of the World Trade Center, the discovery of his manuscript marks Arissa's reconnection to life. Her unborn son and the unfinished novel fuse in her mind into one life-defining project that becomes, at once, the struggle for her emotional survival and the redemption of her race. In a world where American psyche was seriously damaged by the events of 2001, Arissa must find the courage to deal with questions about her faith and come to terms with her own loss. In the process, she redefines who she is and builds a new life for herself and her son.
A master storyteller, Abdullah crafts her characters to enhance her themes of tolerance and hope. The novel is a memorial to the victims of 9/11, a source of strength for the survivors, and a vehicle of understanding for those struggling to make sense of the conflict between the East and West in the twenty-first century. It is a tale of the times that reflects the hopes and dreams for the future.
The geopolitical concerns that have drawn Islam and the West into many conflicts since 2001 have also generated a thirst for multicultural literature—fiction and nonfiction, with a Muslim angle. At a time when much of the world associates Islamic culture with oppression and terror, the new genre is tackling such universal themes as love, hope, and women's issues. Harvard professor Dr. Ali Asani describes the novel as "eloquently written, a must-read for any one interested in exploring the lived experiences of Muslim women in the United States." In "Saffron Dreams," Abdullah captures the essence of ordinary Muslims who create nothing newsworthy and power no conflicts to be of any value to the media. "I looked on as day after day the media tried, sentenced, and hung my faith," she says in her book. "I witnessed the lynching of a religion and race again and again. What proof did I have of the innocence of the rest of us?"
Noted as "Word Artist" by critics, Shaila Abdullah is an award-winning author and designer based in Austin, Texas. Her creative work focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistani women and their often unconventional choices in life. Her debut book, "Beyond the Cayenne Wall," is a collection of stories about Pakistani women struggling to find their individualities despite the barriers imposed by society. The collection won the Norumbega Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction and the DIY Festival Award. The Hobson Foundation awarded Abdullah a grant for "Saffron Dreams." In addition, Abdullah has published several short stories, articles, and essays in publications that include "Women's Own," "She," "Fashion Collection," "Sulekha," and "Dallas Child." She is a member of the Writers' League of Texas.
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