It was a very quiet mid-morning. I could not hear my siblings’ voices outside. Maybe they were playing in the garden or at school. I curled comfortably inside mommy’s tummy. Everything was so quiet. I could hear faintly chicken churr-ping. Suddenly I heard a loud male voice. He came the previous evening. That could be my father. There was a commotion and I jumped when there was a big thud, a heavy punch and heard mummy’s screams. She lost her balance and fell down on the floor screaming in pain. The big blow inflicted by Father caused Mother to lose her balance. She had been carrying me for seven months. Her screams alerted the neighbour. Father made a quick dash after he took whatever mommy’s earnings for the week selling vegetables. Father was hardly home, he only returned when his pocket ran dry to feed his cravings for Singha, his choice beer. Once he got the money from Mother or stole from her purse he would disappear for weeks. When the neighbours heard mommy’s scream they rushed into the house to find mommy already on the floor, unconscious. They quickly rushed her to the closest hospital. “Hurry! Hurry!” Sounds of car horns deafened me. We must be in busy traffic. The next moment when Mother woke up she found herself in an Emergency Ward with doctors and nurses attended to her. They must try to save her and me.
Today we talk about When he loved another, a book by Hafsah Ali published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Hafsah Ali, to get to know her better, what was the moment that brought her to the writing of her book When he loved another, as well as what are the crucial themes of her story.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What is the moment that brought you to writing your book?
I am an observant person, always have pen and notebook in my bag. I would jot down any incidents that I encountered while travelling on public transports. An incident in the train one day prompted me to write. One passenger who just entered the packed train looked tired and sickly. No one offered him seat. This hijab wearer lady quickly stood up and offered mine. Others just whispered to each other as the passenger was a bit soft effeminate a gay. I was upset how rude people could be no compassion for others! Other male passengers probably were taken aback probably embarrassed when this lady offered her seat.
- What are the crucial themes of your book?
To write a subject seldom discussed let alone written by a Muslim lady. This book shows compassion, love, care and respect regardless of who they are as we are all God’s creations.
- What are the messages you want to communicate to people?
First, we can’t right the wrongs according to all religious perspectives about homosexuality. It’s against original disposition. However, we can’t hate, inflict harm and cast away this group. I have good friends among them.
- How much is there of you in the protagonist of your novel?
Aziza the main character is very much me, independent, helpful, sincere, thirst for knowledge, respectful, forgiving above all religious. I don’t look down on others and not judgemental. This is my policy in life.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
I am writing a book still untitled. At the same time working on an ebook on pets’ pictures sent by friends. I visualised as though they are humans talking. It’s a light hearted book.
Europe Books thanks the author, Hafsah Ali, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book When he loved another. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, may this book excite you, strongly captures your reading interest and at the same time makes you reflect on thoughts that have already been built or to be built from scratch! So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!