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Associate Professor Nina Noel, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo.
Ever since I can remember, I dreamed that one day I would see my name on the cover or as part of a book.
All these years I have written for various mediums, and waited in anticipation for my dream to be realised. So you can imagine how excited and thankful I was when Zaheera Jina approached me with this project.
On Saturday, 21st March 2015, as Skoobs; Montecasino, I stood with brilliantly talented women, and watched as this dream became a reality. I met many of the amazing women, who contributed their stories to this Anthology.
Riding the Samoosa Express showcases, South African Muslim Women, their trials, tribulations, tenacity and triumphs. Deep and light-hearted true-life accounts from women who have shared their journey in this book.
Muslim women do have a voice, and this book not only allows the readers into personal stories but displays the sense of humour, the questioning minds, rebels’ with a cause, and the intricacies of growing up in South Africa as a Muslim woman.
Muslim women today, are really breaking the stereotypes which have followed us from our mothers’ and grandmothers’ time.
We are juggling successful careers, taking care of families, choosing to not marry for the wrong reasons, running successful businesses, pursuing dreams and so much more.
We have maintained what our mothers have instilled in us, the magic ingredients as I would like to call it. However, we are challenging many facets of the patriarchal thinking and actions.
When I look at articles I have written over the years, the perceptions of Muslim women, due to many issues around the world. However we are the voice of those women who cannot share their stories. The climate that surrounds the stories, actually tries to remove those views which people have of Muslim women.
There is domination, oppression and misogyny, however, there are many women around the world who every day go against the odds because we were given these rights by our Creator, and we will fight for them.
This book gives the readers some insight into Muslim women’s identities. Riding the Samoosa Express is the first of its kind in South Africa, and hopefully will open a portal for others to embark on other projects for women. I am taking my time reading it, I am on my 3rd story, and thus far I am transported into their lives, somewhat familiar yet so different.
"A book that is a bridge between paternalistic, misogynistic interpretations of Islam and the reality of a resilient, female Muslim identity, in contemporary South Africa" - Shaida Kazie Ali – Author of Not a Fairy Tale and Lessons in Husbandry
On behalf of all contributors, I extend our humble Shukran to Zaheera Jina and Hasina Asvat, for making this project a reality. This endeavour was remarkable.
You have brought together 27 different, strong women, bonded by this book. Muslim Women have a voice, and this book solidifies this.
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