AMWASA is building a vibrant, values-driven network of authors, readers, and bookshops to bring meaningful stories to the Muslim community. Dismiss
To me, Tuqburni felt like a journal poured out in fictional form. Award-winning author Nasreen Variyawa wrote this remarkable novel after the sudden passing of her husband. What began as scribbles on sticky notes – an attempt to make sense of her grief – eventually transformed into a story about love’s petals, the strain of…
Jelaluddin Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi mystic, writes: “I was a hidden treasure and I desired to be known.” This may or may not have been drawn from a hadith qudsi — the sacred sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) — about the Divine desire for creation, but it speaks beautifully to the essence…
In a world overflowing with stories, there’s something uniquely powerful about discovering voices that have not yet been widely heard. Muslim women are writing with depth, honesty, and a refreshing diversity of themes – memoir, cross-cultural romance, and even raw reflections on trauma and healing. If you’re looking to add meaning, nuance, and new perspectives…
As Muslimah authors, many of us dream of embracing the ‘author lifestyle’ — spending our days writing in peaceful spaces, sipping tea, and watching our words flow onto the page. But the reality often looks very different. Whether you’re balancing a demanding full-time job or navigating the beautifully chaotic world of motherhood, finding time to…
At the age of 40, I started a little publishing company. Mid-life crisis or fighting for a dream? I still haven’t figured that out. What I do know is that this small venture soon led to something bigger than I could have imagined. One of our first projects was an anthology for Barfi Books. We…
Is It for Love? Rethinking Older Men–Younger Women Relationships in the Muslim Community By the author of Tuqburni – Bury Me Softly In recent years, age-gap relationships – particularly those involving older men and younger women – have become a topic of heated discussion at dinner tables, across social media, and even within faith communities….
Through the eyes of a butterfly Just as the metamorphosis of a butterfly unfolds from stage to stage, Bamba Butterfly delves into the intertwined lives of Imtiyaaz and Salma, navigating generations from childhood to adulthood, experiencing alienation, loss, and abuse. Based on a true story, Bamba Butterfly is birthed from the voice of the author,…
The Durban International Book Fair is calling — and AMWASA is answering with an even stronger presence this year, in sha Allah! After a successful first experience in 2024, we’re thrilled to return to the 4th annual DIBF which is held in South Africa’s first UNESCO City of Literature and we’re inviting Muslim women authors,…
As the breeze of the book Reflections of 73 Years blew a subtle mist into my soul, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the moments I spent beside my beloved late grandmother, listening as she shared stories and introspections from her life. It rekindled within me a longing for that missed blessing — the unique…
In recent years, trigger warnings have become a common fixture in literature, media, and even academic spaces. These warnings are designed to alert readers or viewers to potentially distressing content, giving them the option to engage or avoid based on their emotional well-being. For some, these developments signal an essential step forward in mental health…
