I was 24 years old and stuck in a strange place with two boisterous little boys, and my husband was working offshore on the oil rigs. It was a life for which I wasn't prepared. Leila Aboulela boisterousboyhusband Change image and share on social
I wasn't trained to write non-fiction. Leila Aboulela fictiontrainwrite Change image and share on social
When I was growing up, we spoke Egyptian, we ate Egyptian food, we had other Egyptian friends. It was my father's preference. Leila Aboulela eategyptianfather Change image and share on social
It was 1989, and the word 'Muslim' wasn't even really used in Britain at the time; you were either black or Asian. Leila Aboulela asianblackbritain Change image and share on social
Sudan is not Arab enough for Arabs and not African enough for Africans. Leila Aboulela africanarabsudan Change image and share on social
Many Arabic/Islamic words have now entered the English dictionary, such as haj, hijab, Eid, etc., and I no longer need to put them in italics or explain them. Leila Aboulela arabicdictionaryeid Change image and share on social
I write fiction that reflects Islamic logic: fictional worlds where cause and effect are governed by Muslim rationale. However, my characters do not necessarily behave as 'good' Muslims; they are not ideals or role models. Leila Aboulela behavecharactereffect share on social
I'm concerned that Islam has not just been politicised but that it's becoming an identity. This is like turning religion into a football match; it's a distraction from the real thing. Leila Aboulela concerndistractionfootball Change image and share on social
