Publisher Description

When Shelina Janmohamed, an Oxford-educated Muslim living in the bubbling ethnic mix of North London, opted for the traditional "arranged" route to finding a partner, she never suspected it would be the journey of her life.
 
Through ten long years of matchmaking buxom aunties, countless mismatches, and outrageous dating disasters, Shelina discovers more about herself and her faith. Along the way, she learns that sometimes being true to her religion means challenging tradition, while readers learn much about Islam that may surprise them. 

Author Biography

Shelina Zahra Janmohamed is an influential commentator on British Islam: a columnist for EMEL magazine, a regular contributor to the Guardian and the BBC, and author of the award-winning blog, Spirit21. Named one of the UK's hundred most influential Muslim women by the Times of London, Janmohamed lives in London.

Table of Contents

Author's Introduction

One: The First Time
Good Headscarf Day
Samosas
Safura

Two: Hyphenated
Innocence
Kulcha
Intertangled

Three: Process Princess
Biodata
Funny Valentine
Groundhog Day

Four: Only Connect
Waiting
Plus Ça Change
Lightning

Five: None of the Above
Six Stages of Self-Pity
You, Not Me
Hijab Marks the Spot

Six: Semiotic Headscarf
What Is It Like Under There?
E-veil-uation
Anti-repressant

Seven: Love
From a Single Soul, Created in Pairs
The Three Ms of Love: Method, Manner, Meaning
Quantum Theory

Eight: Multiversal
View from the Shelf
Marvelous Mary
In My Yin

Epilogue: The Beginning

Review

"An Islamic spin on the 'Looking for The One' genre."—Harper's Bazaar
 
"A delightful memoir that celebrates spirituality, self-empowerment, female agency, and resistance to cultural (both 'Eastern' and 'Western') dictates on women's roles and identities." —Randa Abdel-Fattah, author of Does My Head Look Big in This?
 
"What a fun glimpse into the courting rituals of a traditional South Asian British Muslim community! Janmohamed's colorful and often humorous memoir shows us how those of another culture and religion might navigate the search for love, that most universal of themes. Perfect for the bedside table, but enlightening, as well."—Sumbul Ali-Karamali, author of The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing
 
"A gripping and enjoyable read."—Leila Aboulela, author of Minaret
 
"With honesty and humor, Shelina Zahra Janmohamed navigates the complicated world of being a British Muslim woman in our modern society. Love in a Headscarf is a rich and full exploration of her choice to uphold her Islamic traditions, while maintaining her own identity in her search for love and spirituality. Along the way, Janmohamed enlightens readers and reminds us all of our common humanity, with, or without, a headscarf. A thoughtful and captivating read!"—Gail Tsukiyama, author of Street of a Thousand Blossoms
 
"A forthright, charming tale of unraveling the 'overwhelming contradictions and tangles' of identity."—Kirkus Reviews

"Her journey is at times hilarious, but also a rare and fascinating insight into what it means to be a Muslim woman."—The Good Book Guide"There is also a lot that appeals to me about Janmohamed. She isn't just out to get married; she works, buys a sports car, climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro, visits Egypt and goes on Hajj. I can definitely relate to the wanderlust…The book has many moments of wit, especially in relating the descriptions of the "buxom aunties" that set up matches…"
—HijabTrendz"Janmohamed weaves humor and emotion in her memoir as she enchants readers with tales of past suitors who didn't make the cut...This is a beautiful, heartfelt memoir that gives insight into the depths of the author's soul. It offers insight into her culture and its practices, while making it relatable to any reader."—Teen Voices

"Love in a Headscarf is a breath of fresh air in the genre of Islam-related non-fiction. Not only is it about Love, but it also exhibits a positive, uplifting and inspiring view of Muslim women. This is a godsend in a time when mass media is plagued with negative stereotyping and an overall misunderstanding of Muslim women."—Azizah Magazine

Review Quote

"With honesty and humor, Shelina Zahra Janmohamed navigates the complicated world of being a British Muslim woman in our modern society. Love in a Headscarfis a rich and full exploration of her choice to uphold her Islamic traditions, while maintaining her own identity in her search for love and spirituality. Along the way, Janmohamed enlightens readers and reminds us all of our common humanity, with, or without, a headscarf. A thoughtful and captivating read!" -Gail Tsukiyama, author ofStreet of a Thousand Blossoms "Her account of having to meet the succession of suitors-frequently unsavory, reluctant or downright rude-is hilarious. . . . A forthright, charming tale of unraveling the 'overwhelming contradictions and tangles' of identity." -Kirkus Review "A delightful memoir that celebrates spirituality, self-eXX "Her account of having to meet the succession of suitors-frequently unsavory, reluctant or downright rude-is hilarious. . . . A forthright, charming tale of unraveling the 'overwhelming contradictions and tangles' of identity." -Kirkus Review "A delightful memoir that celebrates spirituality, self-empowerment, female agency and resistance to cultural (both 'Eastern' and 'Western') dictates on women's roles and identities." -Randa Abdel-Fattah, author ofDoes My Head Look Big in This? "What a fun glimpse into the courting rituals of a traditional South Asian British Muslim community! Janmohamed's colorful and often humorous memoir shows us how those of another culture and religion might navigate the search for love, that most universal of themes. Perfect for the bedside table, but enlightening, as well. " -Sumbul Ali-Karamali, author ofThe Muslim Next Door: the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thin "Her journey is at times hilarious, but also a rare and fascinating insight into what it means to be a Muslim woman. There has been a lot written about the horrors of arranged marriage, but here you see it at its best." -The Good Book Guide

Excerpt from Book

From chapter one, "Good Headscarf Day" Samosas are frying in the kitchen, teetering between perfect bronze and cinder black. My mother is concentrating on the huge pan of bubbling oil, her hair wrapped up in an old towel, her mind focused on those who are about to arrive. They are important guests, perhaps the most important ones yet. The doorbell rings. I am flicked upstairs with a tea towel. There is panicked scuttling around the house. Cushions are plumped. Curtains are adjusted. The kitchen door slams shut and my father is assailed by a cacophony of shrieking voices: "They''re here! They''re here! Open the door!" The house becomes acutely still. The lilies in the living room stand poised. My father, unflustered, strolls toward the front door and swings it open to face the man who might be his future son-in-law. This is the first time that my family and I are to be formally introduced to a suitor. Choosing what to wear has been a struggle. I have to be attractive enough for the man in question, yet modest and demure enough for his family. The contents of my headscarf drawer are strewn colorfully across my bedroom floor in molehills of pink, purple, blue, and green. Each scarf has been carefully draped and pinned in turn, and then analyzed for aesthetics and impact. I choose one in dusky pink silk. The color is soft and welcoming, feminine but not girly. I fold the square silk in half and place the triangle over my hair, pinning it invisibly under my chin and throw

Details