10 Leila Aboulela Quotes for You to Enjoy

Leila Aboulela

Sudanese Writer

Born: 1964

Faith Good Life Me Mother Religion

Related authors: Ayn Rand Dr. Seuss H. L. Mencken Napoleon Hill Niccolo Machiavelli Thomas Mann Thomas Paine Voltaire

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

Religion Islam Distraction Football Football Match Like Concerned Identity Match Becoming Real Been Just Real Thing Turning Thing

I grew up in a very westernised environment and went to a private American school. But my personality was shy and quiet, and I wanted to wear the hijab but didn't have the courage, as I knew my friends would talk me out of it. Leila Aboulela

Me Courage Personality School Out Would Wear Environment Knew Talk Private Up Friends Very Quiet American Wanted Grew Shy

Sudan is not Arab enough for Arabs and not African enough for Africans. Leila Aboulela

Enough Arab Arabs African Sudan

My father married out of the family. I also married outside the family. Leila Aboulela

Family Father Out Married Outside Also

The coverage of Islam in the media is becoming more sophisticated, and there is more access to knowledge. Leila Aboulela

Knowledge Islam More Sophisticated Access Becoming Coverage Media

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

Time Good Me Confused Feeling Differences Think Gave Others About Writer Outsider Were Cultural Up Very Egypt Being Speaking Sudan Dad Growing Growing Up Aware Mum Mum And Dad Watching

I started creative writing classes at Aberdeen Central Library, and the writer-in-residence there, Todd McEwen, encouraged me a great deal. He showed my stories to his editor, and I thought that was just what happened to everyone who took his classes! Leila Aboulela

Great Me Library Creative Writing Great Deal Thought Took Everyone Classes He Deal Editor His Encouraged Just Stories Happened Central Todd Who Creative Writing Started

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

Good Cause Worlds Characters Muslim Muslims Logic Rationale Write Ideals Islamic Governed However Effect Reflects Role Role Models Behave Models Where Fiction Fictional Necessarily

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

Faith Religion Woman Mother Rare Medicine Way Dress About Having More Studied Idea Very Egypt Which Forties Grandmother Certain Working Certain Way Professor University

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