New book out by Greek Muslim convert
September 29, 2009 by ImanK
Jamilah Kolocotronis sure knows how to keep you up all night with a book in your hand. I just finished reading her novel, Silence, and I’m definitely impressed by how unique it is.
She is one brave soul. She tackles many ‘taboo’ issues in her book about religious extremism and social and political injustice in the USA. What I like most is that you feel like you’re reading a novel but deep down, you are being educated about the realities of underground life, religion and politics, or at least of fears (valid or not) that the average public is completely unaware of.
And just because she is Muslim, that doesn’t mean she shows a bias. You’ll meet characters both Christian and Muslim in her book, exposing mainstream vs. extremism in both religions.
I have to mention that some people think that if fiction is “Islamic” than it must be boring, or at the least, preachy. Pick up one of Jamilah’s books and this misconception will be dispelled immediately.
A small minority of Muslims have this idea that it’s haram to read Islamic fiction because it’s considered lying or at best a complete waste of time. If that’s you, you may want to check out this fatwa. As for the issue of time, you just have to speak with a Muslim educator to find out how desperate they are to find these books for their students as an alternative to the trash that’s out there.
Back to the topic. This book is definitely an eye-opener so don’t lose out. Read more details about it here:
www.MuslimWritersPublishing.com
To write fiction stories describing clear matters, where there is general agreement of the scholars, is one thing.
But to write about profound and controversial matters, i.e. extremism, terrorism, etc that are the subject matter of our times and especially of the enemies of Islam, suggesting own personal ideas, opinions, perceptions and interpretations is quite dangerous. Are these ideas backed up by the Qur’an and Sunnah? I would be cautious. Just what I think. Allah knows best.
Assalaamu alaikum Anna (from UK). No, it’s nothing like that. There are no personal ideas, opinions, perceptions or interpretations. It’s simply a fictious novel of an American convert who faces many obstacles with social and political injustices with both Muslims and non-Muslims. Read the books and you’ll see what I mean. If you’re in the UK, you can buy the books here: http://www.an-najmpublishers.co.uk/