25/04/2023
A few months ago, towards the end of a party, I took my chai and settled into a corner. The women around me, in their bright scarves and even brighter smiles, were pouring chai, serving cake, blowing balloons, feeding children, doing what they do best - spreading joy even when they probably didn’t feel like it.
Decades of knowing these women, and it was only that moment when I realised… every single one of these women had been a victim or close witness of domestic violence at some point in their lives.
From our little corner, my chai and I went through a range of emotions. My heart sank, bubbled with rage, expanded in awe, broke into a million pieces.
There are infinite stories, infinite women, lots of hopeful endings and many, many tragic ones.
This book, in my heart, is for all those women who braved the storm, asked for help and did not receive it. My duas, my rage and my work are all for you.
This book is also a reminder of Allah’s promise of ease, if not today or tomorrow, then in the hereafter.
And most especially, this book is a message of light and hope for our children.
May they never see stormy nights, and angry adults. May Allah keep them safe and free from harm and may He give us the strength to be those who pull our children from darkness to light, if the situation ever calls for it. May we be carriers of hope.
Picture and illustrations by the lovely
