Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

I would have never known the existence of a book like that. My guest was carrying it, it was an intriguing cover. Seems my friend also bought the book because of cool cover. :)

Love in a Headscarf is a memoir of an Muslim woman in Britain and her efforts to find a husband. Its just like the book 'Marrying Anita', however, difference here being woman in question is a Muslim who insists on wearing a headscarf by choice. The book is not only about her meetings with men in an arranged marriage setup but also about her persistence in faith. Personally I felt book was very defensive- how Muslim portrayal has been incorrect, Islam doesn't preach oppression of women and how her family gave her choice to choose her own man etc. She recounts few 'feminist' stories from Islam - Prophet's first wife, Safura etc. The defensive note in the book about Islam's view of women took the zing away. Most boring part was the religious/philosophical 'discourse' she has with this guy Mohammed (honestly I skipped it and no, even he was not the 'one' either). The brief high point of the book was when author goes to Mt. Kilimajaro but soon enough moment was ruined by mention (sort of must-mentions in such contexts) of 9/11. How perception of muslim's changed etc. BOok claim about love but it is hardly about it - it is rather about search of it one/two arranged meetings with men. In fact, some of the men horror stories are only humourous/reaction-evoking part of books.

Writing is lucid but nothing remarkable about content. The book's cover remains the coolest thing about it. A Google search tells me author Shelina has quite created an identity as a 'commentator' on Muslim women in Islam. THis is only book that has been written by her - she though writes columns on Muslim women for various publications. Looks like after expat books, writing about who you found your man through matrimonials/arrange marriage meetings is another gig you can write a book on. Hah!… (mehr)