That's what religion teaches: that life is a temporary thing which is going to dissolve one day. Leila Aboulela daydissolvelife Change image and share on social
My father married out of the family. I also married outside the family. Leila Aboulela familyfathermarry 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
My grandmother studied medicine in the Forties, which was very rare in Egypt, and my mother was a university professor, so my idea of religion wasn't about a woman not working or having to dress in a certain way; it was more to do with the faith. Leila Aboulela dressegyptfaith share on social
My mum and dad were speaking all the time about, 'In Sudan we do this,' and 'In Egypt we do that,' so I was very aware of cultural differences. I was confused growing up; it gave me a feeling of being an outsider watching others. But I think this is good for a writer. Leila Aboulela awareconfusecultural share on social
When you write about a Muslim woman, like I did with my previous novels - 'Minaret', for example, which is about a woman who starts to wear the hijab - it sets all the alarm bells ringing. Leila Aboulela alarmbellhijab 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
My characters are not role-model Muslims, but they struggle to make choices using Muslim logic. Leila Aboulela characterchoicelogic Change image and share on social
My faith was started off by my grandmother and mother, and so I always saw it as a very private, personal thing. Leila Aboulela faithgrandmothermother Change image and share on social
