Dia when I tell you this man would start talking about how he was going to create the first arts non-profit for sharing Muslim voices in Canada. At 1 a.m. with our then baby down the hall and he still a grad-student. "We'll launch a theatre company! We'll have book clubs!" and I'd be like, "sure honey... whatever you say."
12 years after he started musing, and 10 years after he actually launched the Org, they've put on 3 theatre shows, a lit fest, an 18 part podcast, a music night, multiple workshops for comedy, screen-writing, given out grants to up and coming Muslim artists, and a bunch of other things I can't remember. It's insane! I don't quite know how he does it...
Oh and off-line I will tell you a semi-related hilarious story that still pisses me off but that I have promised not to splash on the internet lol.
Wow wow wow this man… this man DOES THINGS. Like the things he says he’s gonna do! What a special kinda person nowadays! So perfect that you guys found each other?! 🥹 and I’ll be waiting patiently on that story…
Wow! Congratulations to you and your husband, Noha. The event sounds glorious and the joy is palpable reading your highlights. Thank you for sharing the videos and inviting us to explore some new writers. I am unfamiliar with their names and am anxious to get to know them more. Thank you!
Thank you so much Lily! And I’m jealous of you that you will get to discover these powerhouses for the first time. I especially recommend Elamin Abdelmahmoud and Omar El Akkad. There books were literally life-changing for me.
I hope that someday I can meet her!! I have all of her books in my bookshelf and have read them again and again and again. She inspired me to start writing!!!
Wow! I am inspired learning about this! Thank you for the beautiful glimpses of connection through these videos. You must be a very proud wife, this week especially!
Thank you, Shaista! I can't remember if you're all nearby but if you are please do check it out next year. And if you're not take a look at their website at https://www.silkroadinstitute.ca/ and their insta. They've got tonnes of virtual programming and a podcast that interviews Muslim artists (including Omar El Akkad) that was amazing.
Thank you so much, Paulette! Every couple of years he says, "we're gonna do this impossible crazy thing!" and I used to think, "sure" but now I know he means it and he WILL. So happy he directed his attention at my favourite things which are words and books.
I love this! omg Elamin Abdelmahmoud and Omar El Akkad!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩 I loved Son of Elsewhere so much and when I told people how I came across the book, they got honestly pissed off at me 😂😂 it was magical intervention basically. 🪄✨ what a wonderful literary event, congratulations.
😅 it’s really just normal life, i went into a bookstore, randomly came across it and was like wow cool, and bought it 😂😂 so glad i did! it is a book i needed in my life *so much* 🙏🏼🙏🏼 really wonderful you got to meet him. ✨
Hahaaa ok that's wild that you just stumbled across it. Elamin was basically an internet friend from my days on twitter, and then because the Southern Ontario Muslim/Arab world is so tiny, he knows my brother in law and a bunch of other peeps in my world, so we've always been like multiple sets of "2 degrees of Kevin Bacon" away from each other.
I met him a couple of years ago when he brought "Son of Elsewhere" to Ottawa for another writer's festival. Every time, I'm like, "is he gonna remember me? We're only internet friends.." and every time he surprises me in that he does. Absolute life of the party. Truly hilarious.
Omg I didn't even know this existed! I have been looking for more literary festivals to attend in and around Toronto (I live in Brampton) and I am so glad I found Silk Road Lit Fest. I can't wait to attend it next year :)
So wonderful to read this and share vicariously in your experience, Noha! I love that you felt the group "enveloped [you in] a blanket of warmth and safety, while still challenging [you] with their brilliance, wit and ideas." That's an unbeatable combination for artistic growth, isn't it?
And so amazing to hear that your beloved Mohamed had the vision for this and carried it through into reality. You two sound like an incredible couple!
The only one mentioned in your clips that I've read is Omar El Akkad's American War. I read so many books that sometimes I forget to watch for new releases from authors I liked, so now I know that I need to go back and pick up his other books. I also noted from the website that Ausma Zehanat Khan was there, I JUST discovered her books within the past month.
Rea, you should 100% read his newest one, What Strange Paradise. It will wreck you in the best way. Also he has a new book coming out in the winter called "One Day, Everyone will have always been against this" grappling with empire and the genocide in Gaza that I cannot wait to read.
I haven't read Ausma Zehanat Khan's stuff but her session was incredible - she is soooooooooooo smart and so eloquent.
I recommend Son of Elsewhere by Elamin Abdelmahmoud to everyone I know all the time.
Ok so I knew you were a powerhouse but this is your husband???? POWER COUPLE GOALS UNLOCKED, FOR THE CULTURE AND BEYOND ❤️
Dia when I tell you this man would start talking about how he was going to create the first arts non-profit for sharing Muslim voices in Canada. At 1 a.m. with our then baby down the hall and he still a grad-student. "We'll launch a theatre company! We'll have book clubs!" and I'd be like, "sure honey... whatever you say."
12 years after he started musing, and 10 years after he actually launched the Org, they've put on 3 theatre shows, a lit fest, an 18 part podcast, a music night, multiple workshops for comedy, screen-writing, given out grants to up and coming Muslim artists, and a bunch of other things I can't remember. It's insane! I don't quite know how he does it...
Oh and off-line I will tell you a semi-related hilarious story that still pisses me off but that I have promised not to splash on the internet lol.
Wow wow wow this man… this man DOES THINGS. Like the things he says he’s gonna do! What a special kinda person nowadays! So perfect that you guys found each other?! 🥹 and I’ll be waiting patiently on that story…
Wow! Congratulations to you and your husband, Noha. The event sounds glorious and the joy is palpable reading your highlights. Thank you for sharing the videos and inviting us to explore some new writers. I am unfamiliar with their names and am anxious to get to know them more. Thank you!
Thank you so much Lily! And I’m jealous of you that you will get to discover these powerhouses for the first time. I especially recommend Elamin Abdelmahmoud and Omar El Akkad. There books were literally life-changing for me.
Uzma Jalaluddin is one of my greatest heroes! You’re so lucky that you got to see her!!!
Uzma is a dear friend and a hilarious and sassy lady. It was awesome to catch up with her again.
🤩🤩🤩
I hope that someday I can meet her!! I have all of her books in my bookshelf and have read them again and again and again. She inspired me to start writing!!!
Awwww masha Allah
How lovely that you were able to attend a literary festival. ✨ And thank you for the mention! ✨
You're welcome.
It was so good!!
Congratulations on a successful festival! 🙌
Thanks Chris, It was so uplifting!
Wow! I am inspired learning about this! Thank you for the beautiful glimpses of connection through these videos. You must be a very proud wife, this week especially!
Thank you, Shaista! I can't remember if you're all nearby but if you are please do check it out next year. And if you're not take a look at their website at https://www.silkroadinstitute.ca/ and their insta. They've got tonnes of virtual programming and a podcast that interviews Muslim artists (including Omar El Akkad) that was amazing.
I’m in Texas, but a trip to Toronto to surround myself in this magic would be worthwhile I’m sure!
awwwww. for sure check out the remote programming. They’ve done some super cool stuff.
Congratulations to your visionary husband, to you and such amazing writers. Thank you for sharing the video clips.
Thank you so much, Paulette! Every couple of years he says, "we're gonna do this impossible crazy thing!" and I used to think, "sure" but now I know he means it and he WILL. So happy he directed his attention at my favourite things which are words and books.
I love this! omg Elamin Abdelmahmoud and Omar El Akkad!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩 I loved Son of Elsewhere so much and when I told people how I came across the book, they got honestly pissed off at me 😂😂 it was magical intervention basically. 🪄✨ what a wonderful literary event, congratulations.
Ok now I need to know how you came across it 😅😅😅
Omar and Elamin are too of my favourite authors. They are also both hilarious and incredibly humble. Such an inspiration.
😅 it’s really just normal life, i went into a bookstore, randomly came across it and was like wow cool, and bought it 😂😂 so glad i did! it is a book i needed in my life *so much* 🙏🏼🙏🏼 really wonderful you got to meet him. ✨
Hahaaa ok that's wild that you just stumbled across it. Elamin was basically an internet friend from my days on twitter, and then because the Southern Ontario Muslim/Arab world is so tiny, he knows my brother in law and a bunch of other peeps in my world, so we've always been like multiple sets of "2 degrees of Kevin Bacon" away from each other.
I met him a couple of years ago when he brought "Son of Elsewhere" to Ottawa for another writer's festival. Every time, I'm like, "is he gonna remember me? We're only internet friends.." and every time he surprises me in that he does. Absolute life of the party. Truly hilarious.
I love that!! very awesome 🤩
I followed you on twitter in case you ever make an appearance 😊
Hahaa the pull is there… I’m trying to resist because I lose hours of time and mental energy in that space.
ugh i hear you. i locked mine and lost like 100 followers bc i basically only retweet posts re g*z@ ❤️🩹
Omg I didn't even know this existed! I have been looking for more literary festivals to attend in and around Toronto (I live in Brampton) and I am so glad I found Silk Road Lit Fest. I can't wait to attend it next year :)
Yay!! I'm so glad to have introduced you. You can follow them on insta for latest programming.
https://www.instagram.com/silkroadinstitute/?igsh=YWZqaTdoN3JzM3E2
So wonderful to read this and share vicariously in your experience, Noha! I love that you felt the group "enveloped [you in] a blanket of warmth and safety, while still challenging [you] with their brilliance, wit and ideas." That's an unbeatable combination for artistic growth, isn't it?
And so amazing to hear that your beloved Mohamed had the vision for this and carried it through into reality. You two sound like an incredible couple!
The only one mentioned in your clips that I've read is Omar El Akkad's American War. I read so many books that sometimes I forget to watch for new releases from authors I liked, so now I know that I need to go back and pick up his other books. I also noted from the website that Ausma Zehanat Khan was there, I JUST discovered her books within the past month.
Rea, you should 100% read his newest one, What Strange Paradise. It will wreck you in the best way. Also he has a new book coming out in the winter called "One Day, Everyone will have always been against this" grappling with empire and the genocide in Gaza that I cannot wait to read.
I haven't read Ausma Zehanat Khan's stuff but her session was incredible - she is soooooooooooo smart and so eloquent.
I recommend Son of Elsewhere by Elamin Abdelmahmoud to everyone I know all the time.