بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
WHERE: https://bit.ly/368UX8Y
Check out a PB critique giveaway by Shoohada Khanom!
Thank you for listening and playing the games.
DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
VIDEO OF PRESENTATIONS
Dropbox : https://bit.ly/2Egc3Hf Due to the high traffic, Dropbox suspended this link.
Please try Facebook’s Link below :
Facebook Video : https://bit.ly/3g189jt
Direct YouTube Link : https://youtu.be/1H6SK4uv8kw
WIN A BOOKISH PRIZE BY ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS BELOW. SEE PRIZES HERE.
Question 1: What Book Titles can you make out from behind the Publisher in the introduction speech?
Question 2: What is Project Motivation Step 3 of Author Rumki Chowdhury’s presentation?
Question 3: What is the second book showcased by Author Farhan Khalid in his video?
Question 4: What is the title of the book reading read by Author Sahar Abdulaziz
Question 5: What is the second book read BY Author Shoohada Khanom?
Question 6:
a) What is the color of the eyes of the creature mentioned in the book reading done by Author Farah Zaman?
b) In Farah Zaman's book excerpt, what are the landmarks that Adam passed on his way to visit Danyal in the village that night?
Question 7: At what age range do children begin to use mental representation in the presentation Author Jameela Ho?
Question 8: What is the dua to recite upon entering the house mentioned by Author Shumaysa Faruqi in her presentation?
Question 9: Tell us the name of one of the Great Jabals and the name of the place where the Prophet ﷺ in Author Abu Zaynah’s presentation?
Question 10: Author Q.A.Muhammad used his real voice during presentation. True or false?
Question 11: TV Host and Author Musart Ellaahi said:
a) Writing is healing
b) Write from your soul
c) Don’t stress over a missed comma here and here as long as your book is grammatically correct.
d) All of the above.
Question 12:
a) What did you learn from the ePanel?
b) What is the name of the platform that Author Ahmad Phillips mentioned in his video that has wiki tips to self-publish?
c? The Islamic Adult Coloring Book is intended for children, adults and everyone one; Muslim or not.
True or false?
Answer below….Submissions end Dhul-Hijjah 12th, 1441 (August 1st, 2020)
Thank you for listening and playing the games,
DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
In this digital age, almost everyone wants to be seen and go viral, especially every business. To what end though? Is it related to narcissism to strike the ego or is it to actually to provide something that the audience will get some kind of value from? We must always assess our intentions with anything before we act.
The creative and passionate people we “hire” to put our visions out there are often struggling financially, emotionally, spiritually– you name it. It’s imperative that we look out for them rather than take advantage of them. Yes, we get good deeds for sharing our helpful stories, and we get exposure but that doesn’t begin to cover real and daily living expenses. Many creatives, writers and wannabe entrepreneurs live in poverty. They don’t even make minimum wage.
The Prophet ﷺ said,“Pay the laborer his wages before his sweat dries.” Additionally, the Father of Kittens, Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ also said, “Allah ﷻsaid, ‘I will be the opponent of three on the Day of Judgment:…and one who hires a workman and having taken full work from him, does not pay him his wages.’”
Like the hadith say, it’s un-Islamic and unethical to exploit a worker. Stopping the fitnah surrounding the exploitation must be a group effort, we can do our part from either side.
Try to pay your workers in kind if you can’t pay them monetarily.
Try to raise money for your projects from generous benefactors.
Find grants that can help you cover your employees’ wages.
Strive to find advertising possibilities that will translate to sales for the benefit of the business advertising with you and the sake of the employees working under your care.
Don’t bait workers with unpaid internships and volunteer positions knowing full well that they will never get paid and that the basis for payment has nothing to do with experience.
Make sure you don’t desperately agree to unpredictable paying terms in order to “be seen” or “go viral.” Firmly refuse to work for free and don’t feel bad about it if you truly believe you can find better elsewhere. We all have bills to pay, so the prospective employer should understand your position.
If you agree to work for free, agree because your true intent on that particular platform or for that organization is not to make money. There is nothing wrong with working for free on certain platforms if you see it as a good deed to begin with or a charitable act. Sometimes, working for these non-paying platforms will give you “a street credit” like it’s normally called or “vetting.” Not everyone can say that they contributed to such and such platform, there is value in contributing even if you aren’t paid.
Look for other situations where you can be compensated. Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, is bankrupt but he is also a financial guru expert. All his mistakes taught him plenty of lessons and that also proves that Allah ﷻ holds ALL the knowledge in this world and beyond. Anyway, Kiyosaki said that to be financially free, “…you want to know a little about a lot.” That’s true, don’t put yourself in only one mold. Try to volunteer and work with different organizations. Mix it up a bit, find your best fit. You can be loyal to all the platforms you work for without contradicting them.
Remember, the saying, Les bons comptes font les bons amis. It means, “Good agreements make good friends.” If people mess around with your money, disagreements are bound to happen. It’s inevitable. Allahu alim.
Picture Source: Motion Elements.
Papatya*
Sahar Abdulaziz is originally from New York. She moved to the Poconos in 1993 with her growing family. In 1988, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from The College of New Rochelle. In 1995, she received a Certificate in Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Counseling and shortly after, in 1996 as a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Counselor/Advocate. In 1997, she received a certificate from PCADV and volunteered for many years as a hotline worker and counselor/advocate. In 2003, she co-facilitated a domestic violence/sexual assault group, Un Lugar Seguro. An award winning author, Abdulaziz covers a wide-range of hard-hitting topics using her writing, and voice to advocate for the underrepresented, the disenfranchised and maligned. Her multidimensional characters have been described as having “substance and soul,” while demonstrating that those who have suffered abuse are not victims, but survivors.
October is National Domestic Awareness Month and Pennsylvanian community arts initiative – Page To Stage – picked the valuable contribution of American Muslim Author Sahar Abdulaziz in her thriller EXPENDABLE to raise awareness on October 7th, 2018 at the Pocono Cinema and Cultural center. Abdulaziz’s recent novel EXPENDABLE deals with narcissistic and emotional abuse. This is a subject known to be an equal opportunity discriminator across ALL communities in the world.
The free community event was a success with the help of the sponsors, the flawless expertise and delivery of the actors and musicians. And last and not least, the event was a success because of the community who showed up in support of this unique event. Read more here.
THE FIRST IVORIAN COOKBOOK IN ENGLISH
DALLAS, TX — September 30th, 2018. DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING has officially released Fofky's Kitchen : Easy Ivorian Recipes for Traditional and Street Foods by Ivorian American Author Papatia Feauxzar.
About the Book Fofky's Kitchen : Easy Ivorian Recipes for Traditional and Street Foods
Ivorian Cuisine has started to gain recognition across the globe. In addition, many Millennium and post-Millennium Ivorians are seeking restaurants to enjoy their favorite traditional dishes and street foods. Others simply want to know how to cook the same dishes their ancestors made. This cookbook is an easy to follow guide to help anyone curious about what Ivorian Cuisine is.
Fofky's Kitchen : Easy Ivorian Recipes for Traditional and Street Foods is available in paperback at Djarabi Kitabs Publishing and Fofky's Online Book Cafe's websites. The book is also available on Amazon on eBook, hardback and paperback formats. Don't miss the official book launch interview at Fofky's here.
«Félicitations Fofky! Fofky’s Kitchen est gourmand et fidèle à notre culture. Merci d’avoir faire voyager la cuisine Ivoirienne! » — Cheffe Prisca Gilbert
"Congratulations Fofky! Fofky's Kitchen is a food lover and reflective and accurate of our culture. Thank you for sending Ivorian Cuisine overseas!" — Chef Prisca Gilbert
"As I read through this cookbook, Fofky’s Kitchen, by Papatia Feauxzar, I found my thoughts adrift to a distant place where food and family seamlessly intertwine. Each shared dish, whether simple or complex, conveyed a human story, a history, and a taste that clearly reminded the author of home. She presented each recipe in support of the connectivity between food, culture, history, and family... Fofky’s Kitchen is a lovely taste of home, shared with love, enthusiasm and humor. Well done." — Sahar Abdulaziz, Author of EXPENDABLE
"... Fofky’s Kitchen brings us some new and exciting and not to mention easy to make meals from the Ivory Coast. Included in this awesome cookbook are some of my favorites such as Ginger Juice aka Ginger Beer and Bissap (Hibiscus) tea...The one that peaked my curiosity is the Fried Yams! Yes, you can fry yams. I never knew that, but now I do, and I will. But wait! You can boil them too! That along with some braised beef and grilled chicken recipes will be sure to enhance your food repertoire... Go ahead and enhance your palate with Fofky’s Kitchen: Easy Recipes for Traditional Street Foods by Papatia Feauxzar." — Khadijah Abdulhaqq, Author of Nanni's Hijab
"This is a Kitchen I want to step into — and one we all need to step into — to learn about (halal) West African cuisine. The immaculate, mouthwatering photos are almost enough to satisfy my appetite." — Shireen Hakim, Author of Salternatives: 25 Natural and Flavorful Alternative Seasonings to Salt
“I was so excited to have the opportunity to read Fofky’s Kitchen. I love to try out new cuisines and was not at all familiar with Ivorian cuisine... I was also pleasantly surprised to find some dishes that are very familiar to me. Many Americans forget about how African flavors have influenced our cuisine. But ingredients such as okra and grits (corn porridge), or recipes like beignets and boiled peanuts (my personal favorite!) are very common and well-loved in the American South. I love how beautifully this book is laid out, with photos and insights into each recipe. The majority of the recipes have very simple instructions and seem like they will be very easy to make… I definitely recommend this cookbook, not only to Ivorians looking for a taste of home, but to anyone who would like to try out a new and delicious cuisine!”— M.K. Johnston, Author of Halal Comfort Food: The New Muslim Guide To Going Halal
Papatia Feauxzar, also known as Fofky, is an Ivorian American author, barista, and publisher living in Dallas, Texas with her son and husband. She holds a master’s degree in Accounting with a concentration in Personal Finance. Feauxzar blogs at Between Sisters, SVP! or A Ducktrinor Mom. Check her out.
Djarabi Kitabs Publishing
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
Email: bookmanager@djarabikitabs.com
EXPENDABLE: GROUNDBREAKING, UNPREDICTABLE, WELL-WRITTEN.
DALLAS, TX — July 1st, 2018. DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING has officially released Expendable by American Author Sahar AbdulAziz. Although Expendable is her fifth novel being published, it has seniority over AdbulAziz's timely and critically acclaimed political thriller titled Tight Rope. Simply said, Expendable was written before Tight Rope. And DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING is honored to be the best home for this needed book as well. Read the press release to get more details about Tight Rope.
About the Book Expendable
Tethered to a man perfectly willing to destroy her sanity, Bella must somehow find the strength within herself to leave and never look back. Logan appears to all who know him as a charming and adoring husband, yet behind closed doors, a dangerous, darker side emerges. To his circle of unsuspecting friends, he is the master of his destiny. To the trail of broken women left behind, a cruel and callous monster. But to his family and most of all to Bella, he remains an inescapable and recurring nightmare. Trapped, isolated, and unable to seek help, Bella plots her escape, but time, as well as opportunity, are quickly running out. Blaming, shaming, power and control converge in Sahar Abdulaziz’s new contemporary fiction novel, EXPENDABLE–the intimate story behind the “normal” veneer of one couple’s unraveling marriage.
And now the readers have spoken and some reviews about Expendable are in.
“With Expendable, the author has crafted an engrossing story with strong, believable characters as she successfully tackles the difficult topics of emotional abuse and PTSD.”— Susan Moore Jordan
"Expendable is a great story that illuminates the devastating effects of the psychological abuse that one controlling, power-driven person can heap on another individual.”— Catherine Schratt
“Logan supposedly loved Bella but his behavior exemplified nothing close to the true definition of love. Expendable draws the reader inside the mind of a controlling, manipulative man while uncovering the hidden strength of a woman determined to break free.”— Diane Bukoski
If the reviews of Expendable piqued your interest. Enter the book giveaway here and attend the official book launch at Fofky's here.
About the Author
Abdulaziz covers a wide-range of hard-hitting topics using her writing, and voice to advocate for the underrepresented, the disenfranchised and maligned. Her multidimensional characters have been described as having “substance and soul”, while demonstrating that those who have suffered abuse are not victims, but survivors. She and her husband presently reside in Pennsylvania–the proud parents of six grown children and the mega-proud grandparents of seven beautiful grandchildren. Visit her website.
Direct Link : https://youtu.be/aK6LHmPAYwI
Expendable is available in paperback at Djarabi Kitabs Publishing and Fofky's Online Book Cafe's websites. The book is also available on Amazon on eBook and paperback formats. Don't miss the official book launch and reading at Fofky's. Check them all out today!
Djarabi Kitabs Publishing
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
Email: editor@djarabikitabs.com
Written by Papatia Feauxzar
The New Muslim's Field Guide by Theresa Corbin and Kaighla Um Dayo is a compelling self-help book of about 218 non-illustrated pages. For a start, it's more than a new Muslim's field guide. It navigates the intricacies of the many shades of Islam due to the plethora of cultural and school of thoughts of its adherents. And hands down, it's a great start to guide the new Muslims understand Islam. Besides, I have always felt like there wasn't enough out there or done to help new Muslims with salat and other accommodations such as decent support systems.
Having said all that, The Field Guide will also help people who plan in getting married outside the scope of their race and culture. I say this because had I read such a book seven years ago, many things I learned the hard way could have been avoided. All is not lost though, there is always a reason for our trials and a lesson to be learned. The Field Guide book will definitely help others perusing the thought of intra-cultural marriage.
May Allah also make this guide sadaqah juwayriyah for the authors, aameen.
To continue, the book spans over eighteen insightful chapters covering sensitive topics from reliable Islamic sources, cultural Islam, the real Islam, love, sex, marriage to Islamophobia amongst other subjects. The authors also share some ludicrous anecdotes to help the readers relate and keep them tuned in. It's truly an easy read because Corbin and Um Dayo have a certain humorous pluck even when dealing with delicate and controversial topics in the ummah.
This is the look of my personal copy depicted below... If I tell you all about it, you won't need to purchase it for the people around you who need it *laughs*.
I highly recommend The New Muslim's Field Guide to new Muslims, single & searching folks, and any born Muslim who wants to reconnect with the faith.
Rating: 4.5/5
You can purchase it on paperback format at Amazon or at our e-Store. The book is also available in Kindle format on Amazon.
Bio: A blogger and a barista amongst other hats, Feauxzar enjoys reading and drinking soothing tea. Check her out at https://www.fofkys.com/blog.
AN ENGAGING INTERFAITH MUSLIM FICTION NOVEL
DALLAS, TX — May 15th, 2018. DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING officially released Dukyarian Rectangle by Nigerian and Canada resident, Author Babs Soares.
DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING republished Soares's book titled Disvolution as a new expanded and re-titled version; Dukyarian Rectangle.
About the Book
The year is 2085. The world has reached the end of the evolutionary continuum. In this post-evolutionary world, truth and conscience are EXPENDABLE. In the atheist-dominated world, right and wrong are dictated not by God or His holy books, but by an overreaching World Government Organization. The WGO, as it is popularly known, soon meets its match in, of all places, Dukyaria, a heavily-indebted third-world country, a country brought to heel by corruption and ethno-religious antagonism. Dealing with its Nemesis in Dukyaria of course demands that the WGO play four characters against one another—the moderate Muslim cleric (Salim Kamil), the terrorist Homo Haram leader (Abu Danja Mamba), the Catholic Reverend Father (Basil Okoye), and the business-savvy head of the Abounding Grace Ministries (Pastor Emmanuel Kalu). It is up to Kamil and Okoye to get the four points of the Dukyarian rectangle to stop antagonizing each other and, instead, team up to upend the WGO’s plans. The question is how?
Join DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING and Fofky's @fofkys on Facebook and Instagram for the official book launch starting promptly at 09:00 a.m. on May 15th, 2018 God willing.
Direct link: https://youtu.be/snpG3Mn0bqM
"Dukyarian Rectangle is a long story but the dark humor skillfully weaved throughout the plot kept us turning pages."— Hayati Magazine
Enter the book giveaway here.
About the Author
Author Babs Soares. Soares is a former high-ranking government official. He also has an extensive international experience, having worked in an international organization for approximately twenty years. As a professor of public administration, he taught at leading universities. He holds a B. A. (Hons) Admin., M.A. (Econ) and doctorate degrees from reputable British universities. Soares has published widely in his field of specialization. He blogs at Dukyarian Chronicles .
Dukyarian Rectangle is available in paperback at Djarabi Kitabs Publishing and Fofky's Online Book Cafe's websites, at Amazon on eBook and paperback formats, and at OkadaBooks in eBook .
Djarabi Kitabs Publishing
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
Email: editor@djarabikitabs.com
Enter to win one free copy of Expendable by Sahar Abdulaziz which will be officially out on 07/01/2018.
Giveaway ends 07/31/2018 and winners will be notified by email to provide their mailing addresses.
Thanks!
Summary : Tethered to a man perfectly willing to destroy her sanity, Bella must somehow find the strength within herself to leave and never look back. Logan appears to all who know him as a charming and adoring husband, yet behind closed doors, a dangerous, darker side emerges. To his circle of unsuspecting friends, he is the master of his destiny. To the trail of broken women left behind, a cruel and callous monster. But to his family and most of all to Bella, he remains an inescapable and recurring nightmare. Trapped, isolated, and unable to seek help, Bella plots her escape, but time, as well as opportunity, are quickly running out. Blaming, shaming, power and control converge in Sahar Abdulaziz’s new contemporary fiction novel, EXPENDABLE–the intimate story behind the “normal” veneer of one couple’s unraveling marriage.
A MUSLIM YOUNG ADULT BOOK CENTERED AROUND THE DEEN
DALLAS, TX — March 28th, 2018. DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING officially released The Ducktrinors Book I & Book II by American and Black Muslim Author, Papatia Feauxzar.
The author has written in many genres but she still feels like a child at heart. "I wrote 'The Ducktrinors' to inspire the Muslim Youth so that they realize that they have more than enough Muslim heroes to fashion themselves after." — Papatia Feauxzar
DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING is republishing tome I titled Hanifa with the much awaited tome II titled Malik with this edition.
"Papatia's work is addicting in that love of the craft is immistakable through her skill. I'm seriously enraptured with the level of detail involved with everything from content to technical aspects of The Ducktrinors and as a word nerd myself I now aspire to the honor of reviewing all her works... Papatia's world is one of style. May it be laced with Divine grace...it is as Allah wills..."— Maryam Miller, Maryam Miller Writes
"Finally! Papatia Feauxzar has tapped her distinct noveling style into a fast-paced, futuristic novel with a decidedly Muslim flavor. As one of Papatia's editors, I think that I've read almost all of her stories, and Ducktrinors is definitely my favorite, so far. Although it's written mostly for a younger audience, Papatia has crafted another fun, slightly-awkward, but smart female protagonist in Hanifa Ducktrinor, and I enjoyed watching her problem-solve to save the world (and her own behind!)... I'm also excited that this is a series, as we just don't get enough of them! Looking forward to more and more from Papatia, insha'Allah."— Brooke Benoit, A Clichéd Life
"This book is a mixture of sci-fi, futuristic, and it also has a strong Islamic theme. Hanifa and her team have surely grown on me and I can see them being likable amongst the teens. The good versus evil reminded me a lot of the end of times."— Mrs. Shoohada Khanom, Children Book Author of Kamilah the Butterfly, Imagine, Who Could I Be, and Little Blue Skater Boy.
"... Unique - in a great way. It blends sci-fi, futuristic, and dystopia pretty well. Neat gadgets - mechanical horse and some other tech ideas were pretty neat. Sylas is a bad guy people can hate. Dawud is a great side character. Jihad gets a bad rap these days because of the crazy people running around with suicide bombs. It's interesting to see the Secular sect portrayed as the bad guys."— Julie C.Gilbert, The Collins Case (Heartfelt Cases Book 1)
"...This is a wonderful story, written beautifully and filled with great Islamic historical references. It was breathtaking to read a story so relevant today. From the outset you are deeply connected to the main character and her struggles and you're gripped to read on and discover what will be of her and her family. Such a great, exciting read, with highs and lows and a story that really does take you on a journey of what it means to be Muslim for Hanifa."— Sarah Javed, Author of I'm So Angry!
The Ducktrinors Book I & Book II additionally received several acclaimed feedback and critics from editors. Feauxzar shared one with us.
"I love that you feature a Muslim protagonist whose faith is important to her, and this aspect of her life is a huge part of the story, yet the genre itself is a poignant (and timely) sci-fi/dystopian. So cool! ...One of your best writing assets in this draft is your ability to write engaging, authentic dialogue (yay!). This is no easy feat! "— Kate Angelella, Angelella Editorial. Experienced YA/MG editor, formerly of Simon & Schuster Children's Books.
Join DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING from March 31st to April 4th, 2018 for the blog tour.
About the author:
Papatia Feauxzar is an American author, barista, and publisher of West African descent living in Dallas, Texas with her son and husband. She holds a master’s degree in Accounting with a concentration in Personal Finance. After working as an accountant for a corporate firm for almost five years, Feauxzar decided to pursue Accounting from home while homeschooling her son. She is currently working toward obtaining her CPA license. Feauxzar then plans to obtain her PhD in Accounting.
She also blogs at Between Sisters, SVP! or A Ducktrinor Mom . She is the Love and Relationship Editor at Hayati Magazine. She has written for AboutIslam, MVSLIM, and SISTERS Magazine. You can visit her websites at www.djarabikitabs.com or www.fofkys.com.
The Ducktrinors Book I & Book II is available on Djarabi Kitabs Publishing's website , Amazon on eBook, hardback and paperback formats, and Fofky's Online Book Cafe.
Djarabi Kitabs Publishing
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
Email: editor@djarabikitabs.com
- Review by Reclaiming Heart
"The best thing I loved about the book is its narration. The book is a great page turner and lures us till the end. Papatia narrates the chapters from different timelines and this leaves the reader curious until the end. The story reveals through various characters and the usage of self-talk is a win-win. The plot is very fast paced and includes so many characters and details. But telling the story through people makes it simple to follow along." — Farzana Fathima , Reclaiming Heart
- Podcast with Naptime is Sacred
"Everybody [all the characters] brought something to the table." — Fousia Abdullahi, Naptime is Sacred
- Interview with _EatReadLive
- Review with Dr. Shahira
"The book keeps you on the edge – looking forward to the next chapter...Having grown up with the Harry Potter series and knowing the inside-out of the series, I feel the Ducktrinor series will be a similar-themed adventure series for the young Muslim adult...Kudos to the author for being a trendsetter in the world of Muslim science fiction for the young adult." — By Shahira
- Review with Be Flawless Muslims
"In a sentence... It was a thrilling and satisfying read...Recommendation? IT’S A MUST READ!" — Rimsha Tanaaz, Be Flawless Muslims .
- Interview with The Umm Afraz Muhammed Blog
"...Filled with high-tech gadgets and futuristic concepts, this would be a hit with the early teens who have an interest in this genre... I would definitely say this is a step into Islamic sci-fi. Papatia Feauxzar has taken a bold and brave step into this genre and I am looking forward to more of her creativity." — The Umm Afraz Muhammed Blog
- Review with The Imperfect Muslimah
"The Ducktrinors is a compilation of the first two books in the Jihad Series. This series is not likely to be one you’ve come across before – Muslim sci-fi novels are few and far between, after all... All in all, a good, interesting read that you’ll probably end up going back to once or twice." — The Imperfect Muslimah
- Interview with The Imperfect Muslimah
"The Ducktrinors is quite long but it’s a quick read – it took me just a few hours to reach the final page and it was nice to have a well tied up ending along with some interest toward the future of the series as well." — The Imperfect Muslimah
- Review by Halal Mama
"I really got hooked and have gone through the 500-odd pages in just few hours! ... The book is filled with Islamic references, cleverly tied into the story through Ducktrinors' conversations and descriptions of their halaqa sessions. Although we don't know the specific time setting, there are some strong indicators that the end of times is near: our characters having to hide their religious beliefs, women appearing naked despite being dressed, buildings so tall they seem to never end - to just mention a few. The book is a really engaging way to teach or remind the readers some basic Islamic principles."— Halal Mama
Hayati Magazine: Today, we have a very special guest; Author Babs Soares. Soares is a former high-ranking government official. He also has an extensive international experience, having worked in an international organization for approximately twenty years. As a professor of public administration, he taught at leading universities. He holds a B. A. (Hons) Admin., M.A. (Econ) and doctorate degrees from reputable British universities. He has published widely in his field of specialization. The blurb of his book we will be discussing today goes as this:
The year is 2085. The world has reached the end of the evolutionary continuum. In this post-evolutionary world, truth and conscience are expendable. In the atheist-dominated world, right and wrong are dictated not by God or His holy books, but by an overreaching World Government Organization. The WGO, as it is popularly known, soon meets its match in, of all places, Dukyaria, a heavily-indebted third-world country, a country brought to heel by corruption and ethno-religious antagonism. Dealing with its Nemesis in Dukyaria of course demands that the WGO play four characters against one another—the moderate Muslim cleric (Salim Kamil), the terrorist Homo Haram leader (Abu Danja Mamba), the Catholic Reverend Father (Basil Okoye), and the business-savvy head of the Abounding Grace Ministries (Pastor Emmanuel Kalu). It is up to Kamil and Okoye to get the four points of the Dukyarian rectangle to stop antagonizing each other and, instead, team up to upend the WGO’s plans. The question is how?
Author Babs Soares, welcome to Hayati Magazine! How long have you been writing fiction and non-fiction?
BS: You could say I chose writing as a vocation the day I embarked on an academic career. I could not have risen to the status of university professor of public and international affairs without publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals and authoring full-length textbooks in the field. Of course, that warranted interrogating real-life, non-fictional, mostly, concrete, but perplexing, challenges. I am a late-comer to fiction. I tried my hand at creative writing in 2014. This was in an attempt at liberating myself from the constraints of robotic thinking, the kind imposed by contemporary science’s theory and methodology of knowledge.
HM: How long did it take you to write Dukyarian Rectangle formerly known as Disvolution?
BS: It took me ten years. This is what you get when you combine a new passion with ongoing commitments!
HM: Impressive! Dukyarian Rectangle is a long story but the dark humor skillfully weaved throughout the plot kept us turning pages or should we say swiping the pages from right to left on our reading device. So this brings us to the next question. Do you outline your stories or do you just go with the flow?
BS: Writing a story is like building a house from the ground up. You have to start with a sketch of sorts. You need an architectural drawing. But that is probably where the analogy ends—at least, in my own case. I keep changing the drawing as I move along. I may find myself in a super market where a person’s appearance, comportment or utterance rings a bell. What I generally do in such circumstances is to note how that might move my story along. Many writers get inspired at night. My own inspiration comes early in the morning. I have lost count of the number of times I woke up at dawn to capture an overnight inspiration. I also learn a lot from conflict and tension, more so, as both help me challenge my own assumptions and modify my architectural drawings!
HM: Right. Inspiration is all around us, and writers are anthropologists of some sorts. While the writing muses often strike at night for most writers like you said, it often happens at other specific times during the day. Good stuff, masha’Allah. Now, when will the new edition of your book, Dukyarian Rectangle, officially launch? Readers, you can read a brief review here.
BS: Insha’Allah, in May 2018.
HM: Insha’Allah. African countries had their own names before the colonialists swung into action there. After independence, many African countries reverted to old names or picked names befitting in the cases of Ghana, Burkina Faso, etc. How did you come up with Dukyaria as the name of this country?
BS: The Hausa word for wealth is ‘dukyar’. In what amounts to linguistic license, I stretched the word and ended up with ‘Dukyaria’, meaning, ‘public property’, ‘Commonwealth’, or, contextually, ‘a state owned by all the People’.
HM: Brilliant! Now, how has your publishing journey been?
BS: Fascinating!
HM: Alhamdullilah. When did the idea of writing Dukyarian Rectangle hit you?
BS: It came to me when I was on the staff of an international organization, travelling the world, and interacting with peoples from diverse backgrounds.
HM: All your characters were unforgettable. They were truthfully and sharply cunning. Will we read about Ekineta, Jamie, and the clever clone X300 Sly Fox again?
BS: I am counting on that! For now, let us wait for the readers’ verdict on Dukyarian Rectangle. If they want more, there is more (and better) where that came from.
HM: Sam was also another character with crafty skills. Did you have fun penning him?
BS: You bet! Sam really got my attention. It takes extraordinary skill to turn deviousness into fine art.
HM: That’s very true! The plight of Abu Mamba reminded us a bit of Samory Touré. Are we correct to think so?
BS: You are absolutely correct. Both have a lot in common.
HM: This concludes this interview. Thank you for being with us. The team at Hayati Magazine wishes you great success with your book launch and the book sales. Please share with us your social media links so our readers can get to know you better.
BS: Follow me on Twitter @BabsSoares1, on Facebook at 100004412059474@facebook.com and on LinkedIn.
This interview first appeared at Hayati Magazine here.
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Thank you,
The DKP Team
TIGHT ROPE : A Muslim Socio-Political Thriller
DALLAS, TX — June 1st, 2017. DJARABI KITABS PUBLISHING has officially released Tight Rope by American Muslim Author Sahar AbdulAziz.
Tight Rope centers on an American Muslim Woman named Nour Ibrahim. She is an activist who has earned the attention of unsavory people while also dealing with personal issues. As she deals with all these tests, she wonders what has been ordained for her; the end game. Will she prevail or will she be another martyr fighting oppression from islamophobes, racists, bigots and what not? Get your copy to find out and seal that decision to own your copy by reading what readers have to say about Tight Rope below.
"Tight Rope is refreshingly real. It paints a worrying picture of the societies that we live in and it serves as a reminder of how lucky some of us are. Tight Rope also reminds us that there are battles being fought every day – people are fighting against prejudice from all corners. And we have a duty to assist them in those fights by acknowledging that they exist and by refusing to let unacceptable behavior continue when we are confronted with it." — The Imperfect Muslimah
"The characters are real and relatable. Sahar AbdulAziz is a great storyteller. She did a good job bringing her characters to life. I was on the edge of my seat turning pages and taking deep breaths. I enjoyed Tight rope and will be interested in other books by the author."— Fabulously Liberated
"The story gives you an inside view into lives of American Muslims post Trump Era , effects of Iraq and Afghanistan war and the rampant racial profiling and growing Islamophobia. It also highlights the flaws within the Muslim society and the division which from the outside world seems so homogenous." — Sana Khan, My Journey With Hijab
"A true page-turner!" — The Umm Afraz Muhammed Blog
"I loved the way the writer brilliantly crafted this story, how she weaved all the characters lives together was incredible." — Shoohada Khanom
"One of my favorite things about the author’s style is how she dedicates chapters to each character. This gives the reader the chance to understand each character’s point of view without, for lack of a better word, getting interrupted by another character’s voice. Another great thing about the chapters is the length with each chapter being about 3 – 5 pages long. This is perfect for readers who have a short attention span and who are only interested in taking in small amounts of information at a time."— Aisha Obi
"The interplay between the various characters in the book is amazing, especially when they start to cross paths." — Christal Joan
“I wrote Tight Rope because of the way my beautiful sisters’ – day after day, year after year have been forced to face down this dehumanization and disrespect – inside and outside of the masjid by Muslims and non-Muslims … attacked and hurt over and over again by this inexcusable behavior. It’s revolting, inhumane, and haram. Allah and His Prophet [PBUH] have instructed that we speak the truth no matter who it offends – So be it,” Abdulaziz told MVSLIM.
Intrigued? Below are links you can follow to get your copy :
Amazon’s eBook link : https://www.amazon.com/Tight-Rope-Sahar-Abdulaziz-ebook/dp/B071Z6M86N/
Amazon paperback link : https://www.amazon.com/Tight-Rope-Sahar-Abdulaziz/dp/0996709495
Fofky’s Link : https://www.fofkys.com/buy-books-coffee-sweets-and-tea
Djarabi Kitabs Publishing
PO BOX 703733
Dallas, TX 75370
USA
Email: editor@djarabikitabs.com
Assalamu aleikum – Peace be unto you,
DKP’s new author Sahar Abdulaziz has written a powerful novel that needs to be read by all. Tight Rope will be released soon insha’Allah. It centers on an American Muslim Woman named Nour Ibrahim. She is an activist who has earned the attention of unsavory people while also dealing with personal issues. As she deals with all these tests, she wonders what has been ordained for her; the end game. Will she prevail or will she be another martyr fighting oppression from islamophobes, racists, bigots and what not?
Stay tuned to find out!
Wassalam,
Papatya*
Now available on Amazon in '...Centric : A Collection of Flash Fiction Stories'
©Papatia Feauxzar 2016
https://www.amazon.com/Papatia-Feauxzar/e/B00JH4H2V0
Now available on Amazon in '...Centric : A Collection of Flash Fiction Stories'
©Papatia Feauxzar 2016
https://www.amazon.com/Papatia-Feauxzar/e/B00JH4H2V0
