#Huda Al-Marashi

[andrewtheprophet]

How Joe Biden's statement on Hamas echoed, Bush, the Beast of the Sea: Revelation 13

How Joe Biden’s statement on Hamas echoed George W Bush’s ‘axis of evil’ speech, indicates author Huda Al-Marashi When US President Joe Biden said Hamas had “unleashed pure, unadulterated evil in the world”, I heard an echo of former President George W Bush’s “axis of evil” speech, and his argument that “either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists,” writes Huda Al-Marashi on the…

[ecreads]

Title: Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

Editors: S. K. Ali, Aisha Saeed

Authors: Randa Abdel-Fattah, Huda Al-Marashi, Sara Alfageeh, S. K. Ali, Hanna Alkaf, Ashley Franklin, Asmaa Hussein, Hena Khan, Rukhsana Khan, Ayesha Mattu, Candice Montgomery, Aisha Saeed, N. H. Senzai, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, G. Willow Wilson

Published: May 5th, 2020 by Amulet Books

Genre & Format: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Verse & Poetry, Folklore/Folktale & Religion, Chapter Book, Graphic Novel

Key Themes: Community, Family, Food, Friendship, History, Holidays & Religious Celebrations, Multicultural, Multigenerational, Muslim Stories, Refugees

Reading Level: Third Grade, Grades 4-7

Language: English

ISBN: 9781419740831

Content Warnings:

Death

Islamophobia

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“A joyous short story collection by and about Muslims, edited by New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed and Morris finalist S. K. Ali

Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Eid: The short, single-syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and holiday parties to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy. The anthology will also include a poem, graphic-novel chapter, and spot illustrations.

The full list of Once Upon an Eid contributors include: G. Willow Wilson (Alif the Unseen, Ms. Marvel), Hena Khan (Amina's Voice, Under My Hijab), N. H. Senzai (Shooting Kabul, Escape from Aleppo), Hanna Alkaf (The Weight of Our Sky), Rukhsana Khan (Big Red Lollipop), Randa Abdel-Fattah (Does My Head Look Big in This?), Ashley Franklin (Not Quite Snow White), Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (Mommy's Khimar), Candice Montgomery (Home and Away, By Any Means Necessary), Huda Al-Marashi (First Comes Marriage), Ayesha Mattu, Asmaa Hussein, and Sara Alfageeh.”

Review: Hijabi Librarians

“For Muslims around the world, the two Eids (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha), conjure images of joy and community and include celebrations which vary by region and consist of different traditions.

Common traditions for the observance of both Eids often include new clothing, congregational prayers, special foods, and most importantly, time with family and community. Through prose, verse, and imagery, including the vibrant cover art, and a comic selection, authored by G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Sara Alfageeh, the stories in Once Upon an Eid capture all of those traditions and so much more.

Consisting of stories by 15 Muslim authors of diverse backgrounds, each selection explores an aspect of human experience with incredible complexity and sensitivity. Characters are relatable, and reflect a range of Islamic practice and identity. Stories are set in a variety of locations, with many taking place in non-Muslim majority countries and communities. Readers are given the opportunity to explore many Eids not just reflecting different cultural ties characters might have but the joys, sorrows, feelings of grief, and love that take place when set against a much beloved and significant holiday.

In Jamilah Thompkins-Bigleow’s “Perfect,” readers meet twelve-year-old Hawa on her way to celebrate Eid with her father’s side of the family in the Bronx. Though she would rather be celebrating with her friends, she is forced to confront a complicated relationship with her cousin, and the comparisons between them, that are tied to expression of identity and authenticity, body image and style, and family structure. In Hanna Alkaf’s “Taste,” set in Malaysia, the protagonist Alia feels alienated because of her mother’s absence and her sense of guilt surrounding that absence. In N.H. Senzai’s “Searching For Blue”, Syrian refugees make a home for themselves and carve a place for celebration in Greece. Thompkins-Bigelow’s poem “Eid Pictures” connects the joy and imagery of Eid in the African American community, the history of how that community was built in the United States, and the first Eid of stolen ancestors longing for their homelands, community, and faith.

The subtleties of each story offer readers familiar with particular communities the opportunity to see themselves, some for the first time in print. Readers unfamiliar with the diversity within the Muslim community are given an intimate look into different communities, challenging the false idea that Muslims are monolithic. On a deeper level, this book gives Muslim readers the opportunity to look at, consider, be in conversation with, and understand complex feelings and how we can improve understanding of each other on a fundamental human level with empathy and compassion. Stories are inclusive of different family structures, socioeconomic backgrounds, relationships between Shia and Sunni Muslims, and recent converts to Islam.

The core of the narratives are examining these familial relationships, expression of cultural, racial, religious identities, self-exploration and self-acceptance and are incredibly intersectional. While Once Upon an Eid centers Eid narratives, its stories are important to share in a library or classroom collection year round and hold universal appeal.”

Additional Resources:

Purchase

Additional Review: Kirkus Reviews

[herwitchinesss]

memoirs are my favorite way to understand other people and cultures so when I found myself craving a memoir, I immediately was drawn to “First Comes Marriage: My Not So Typical American Love Story” by Huda Al-Marashi by both the beautiful cover art and the publishers summary. Immediately, it feels as though you know Huda and are sitting down to hang out with her. Her writing style is just so personal & Jeed Saddy does a perfect job at making you feel right at home; her voice is full of such warmth. While Huda’s life and family/relationship dynamics are very different from my own, I was still able to relate my mom to her mom (strong personalities full of love and a mischievous sense of humor), and nothing felt so different as to create division - rather the differences felt both celebrated & understood in a very intimate way. Definitely a good memoir to pick up if you are in the mood! @bookriot always leads me to the best books! #booklr #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagram #reading #memoir #amreading #amreadingnonfiction #currentlyreading #audiobookstagram #audiobooks #audiobook #hudaalmarashi https://www.instagram.com/p/B_oL-9qAgc0/?igshid=ht8ohmo94gph

[moteltampico]

"Bad Hombres" and "Malas Mujeres:" Immigrant Women Writers in the Age of Trump. Hope Wabuke, Marivi Soliven, Mahtem Shiferraw, Huda Al-Marashi, Natalia Sylvester. #AWP19 @marvisoliven (at Oregon Convention Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmzkHbl7RN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=c5hyr7j6lkxh

[for-the-geist-blog]

Muslim woman out to prove arranged marriages are a legitimate American love story

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2019/01/30/muslim-woman-out-to-prove-arranged-marriages-are-a-legitimate-american-love-story.html

Summry~Huda Al-Marashi grew up the daughter of Iraqi Muslim immigrants who had moved to California, where mainstream American books and movies fed her a steady diet of meet-cutes and romantic dinners, wisecracking friends, forgiving parents, surprise proposals and hints of happily ever after.

1) Should arranged marriage exist?

My parents have been married for about 18 years but ended in a divorce because they were not married because of love buy because they were arranged to do so, which I think is very wrong because the chances of an individual to fall in love with the other person after being arranged is very low. I personally think arranged marriage should not exist because it will just end up in a divorce and ruin the lives and many young men and women.

2) Is arranged marriage successful?

3) is arranged marriage legal?

[theoffingmag]

I am writing in a coffee shop, trying to tune out the interview for a sales job taking place at the table in front of me. The employer is grandiose and full of bluster, and he tells his applicant, “Some people are going to say what’s a Mexican guy like you doing making five grand a week, but I got no problem with you being Mexican. As long as we speak the same language, I can get along with anyone. I just don’t like Arabs. They want to kill my people. They want to kill yours, too. You were here for 9/11, right?” My fingers stop moving over the keyboard. I command myself to react, to interrupt, to at least make light of his comments in an offhand way, but I am shaking. I pull out my notebook, write his words down, and pretend this attempt at record-keeping equals doing something.

Huda Al-Marashi, “An Index of Small Things,” in The Offing

[engelsblog2019-blog]

Forced and arranged marriages in Western Countries

Before I start this part of the blog I want to make the difference between arranged and forced marriages clear. As said earlier on in this blog, the girl has to permit an arranged marriage, because otherwise it is forced. Now that this is clear, I can start.

As the writer of ‘The Paths of Marriage’, Mala Kumar says in an interview: “Marriage is an institution that is practiced according to cultural norms and expectations.” And it is. We in Western countries see the love marriage as the norm, but arranged marriages occur everywhere around the world. The first image of this type of marriage that pops up in your mind is probably somewhat near to the marriage of Hari in ‘When Hari got married’ or maybe something which you would now label as a forced marriage. But that image is not entirely true. Yes, in Middle Eastern countries this occurs often, but it is closer than it’s seems: you hear more and more often of stories of people in Western countries who like to have their wedding arranged for them or at least let their parents help in their choice. Huda Al-Marashi from the US is one of them:

As a first-generation Iraqi-American born and raised in the U.S., I have been asked if my marriage was arranged more times than I can count. … I didn’t want to be associated with the stereotypes arranged marriages conjure up—the prodding parents, the exchange of dowries, the unwilling bride, and the pitiable loveless life.

She hates the image people get when she says her marriage was arranged. My father actually thought I was too young to get married. Over the course of my engagement, he repeatedly asked me if I wanted to call things off, but he never pushed me to change my mind either. He knew that who I married was ultimately my decision. The most pervasive and damaging misconception about arranged marriage is that the couple, and more commonly, the woman, is coerced.

Also in the Netherlands, there are a lot of people whose marriages are arranged. And also, something you might not immediately think about, Christians. J. Slomp is an advisor for little Christian communities of Pakistanis in Amsterdam and Rotterdam

(translated from Dutch) The system is fine, there is no reason to intervene because the arrangements are great. I was at the wedding of the Bishop of Lahore: his bride was chosen by his mother. The marriages are not forced; the candidates can say ‘no’ to the suggestion of the parents.

But I will tell you: there are also a lot of stories of Western countries in which it isn’t all puppies and sunshine. In many Western countries, some parents leave their children after the summer break in countries where engaged marriages are the norm. 

Farangis Dawoody: (translated from Dutch) Every year many girls knock on the door of Meldpunt Eergerelateerd Geweld because they are afraid they are going to be left in countries in North Africa or the Middle East. These girls are on average eighteen years old and live mostly in big cities in which there are many cultures.

It is a dilemma: on the one hand, arranged marriages can be good. Your parents can help you with maybe the most difficult choice in your life. Your parents know you best and this can be helpful. But it must be a healthy marriage. If your parents decide it all and you don’t have any control over it, it can’t be good. And these girls who are going to be left in those countries as told above, most of the time, don’t even want to get married. This is why we have to make such a specific difference between arranged and forced marriages. Arranged marriages can be a really good alternative for love marriages, but forced marriages aren’t according to many people. The image of these types of marriages has to change. But for as long it doesn’t, Huda only sais:

For years, I wondered if I’d been “in love” with my spouse because my relationship was so different from any of the love stories I’d encountered in books and movies. I never stopped to question why these stories were so incredibly narrow. … But, I now see what a unique privilege it is to have shared so much of my life with my spouse. And even though it’s not your typical love story, I’m so glad it’s mine.

 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2014/11/28/arranged-marriages-interview-with-author-mala-kumar/

https://www.self.com/story/things-i-wish-people-understood-arranged-marriage

https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/christenen-doen-aan-uithuwelijken~b5ff8f1c/

https://damespraatjes.nl/uithuwelijken-of-terug-naar-school-interview-over-kinderen-die-na-de-zomer-niet-terugkomen/

Dana

[dbnewsjournal]

via Entertainment - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online

[dbnewsjournal]

Author Huda Al-Marashi offers an inside look at arranged marriage

Romantic comedies can be dangerous things.Huda Al-Marashi grew up the daughter of Iraqi Muslim immigrants who had moved to California, where mainstream American books and movies fed her a steady diet of meet-cutes and romantic dinners, wisecracking friends, forgiving parents, surprise proposals and hints of happily ever after.But because her family follows the tradition of arranged marriage, none of those things happened. Instead, on the day of her high-school graduation, she [...] from Entertainment - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online http://bit.ly/2S4mxjj via IFTTT