This is a book that exceeded its original Unbound crowdfunding target, and brings together 21 unique voices of what its like to be a Muslim woman in Britain today.
Perceived as the visual representation of Islam, hijab-wearing Muslim women are nevertheless rarely afforded a platform on their own terms. Harangued by awkward questions, radical commentators sensationalising our existence, non-Muslims and non-hijabis making assumptions, men speaking on our behalf, or stereotypical norms being perpetuated by the same old faces, hijabis are tired. Cut from the Same Cloth? seeks to tip the balance back in the favour of Muslim women. Here, twenty-one women of all ages and races look beyond the tired tropes, exploring the breadth of our experience and spirituality. It’s time we, as a society, stop with the hijab-splaining and make space for the women who know.
This Beyond Books x MFest event brings together Sabeena Akhtar with her contribution ‘Smile’ and as editor offers a unique overview of the book along with three of its contributors; Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan with ‘I Am Not an Answer, I Am the Question’, Sophie Williams with “On Therapy’ and Hodan Yusuf with ‘Waiting to Exhale: The Scarcity of Safe Spaces”.
Cut From The Same Cloth? explores themes of anti Blackness, faith, family, modern pop culture, Islamophobia, politics, work, education, creativity and working life. This collection features essays from Negla Abdalla, Zahra Adams, Sabeena Akhtar, Mariam Ansar, Fatima Ahdash, Shaista Aziz, Suma Din, Khadijah Elshayyal, Ruqaiya Haris, Raisa Hassan, Fatha Hassan, Sumaya Kassim, Rumana Lasker Dawood, Suhaiymah Manzoor Khan, Asha Mohamed, Sofia Rehman, Yvonne Ridley Aisha Rimi, Khadijah Rotimi, Sophie Williams and Hodan Yusuf.