American-muslim Author Promotes Islamâs Anti-slavery Message in New Childrenâs Book
“Writing this book was like living through an epic adventure for me,†described Corey Habbas, author and illustrator of The Runaway Scarf (Muslim Writers Publishing, 2008). In an interview, Habbas described the process of transforming her idea into a Muslim children’s book, a series of events that took nearly 4 years from concept to publication.
Habbas was concerned that a non-Muslim entertainment media often portrays Muslims as oppressive in many television and cinematic productions. Habbas, as well as many other Muslims living in America, feel that these distorted portrayals make it more likely that non-Muslims draw the false conclusion that Islam condones oppression.
Habbas asserts, “There are so many Qur’an verses and haddiths that speak against oppression.â€
Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, the President of the Fiqh Council of North America, states in an IslamOnline.net fatwa question and answer forum on slavery, “The Qur’an teaches that freeing the slaves is a great virtue (See Surah 90:13). One of the expenditures of zakah (obligatory charity) is to spend the money for the freedom of the slaves (surah 9:60). It is forbidden in Islam to enslave a free person.â€
Habbas wanted to convey similar concepts to children in an entertaining and captivating way, so after happening upon a hadith that spoke of a slave who left her oppressors, Habbas wrote a children’s story. She then spent a year planning and illustrating the drawings by hand.
“Previous to 2007 the book was to be subsidy published by another individual who had agreed to sponsor it through their business. Then funds dried up,†recalls Habbas who spent a long waiting period hoping that funds would become available.
When that didn’t happen, Habbas then considered self publishing her story and drawings, that is, until Muslim Writers Publishing picked up the manuscript.
“Muslim Writers Publishing was wonderful to work with. Linda really invests a lot of her time making sure that the publication process is transparent to the author. I felt really grateful about that,†says Habbas. “I pray that the book will be something of value for parents, educators and children.“
Habbas notes that the act of writing fiction for Muslims can bring with it a big responsibility to ensure that Islamic values are presented accurately and that fact is separate from fiction. Habbas says this is why the book contains a disclaimer stating that The Runaway Scarf is a work of fiction and that parents and teachers must make sure to instill in children the ability to discern the difference.
“Teaching Islamic concepts to children in creative ways, brings with it a heavy responsibility of making sure students understand the difference between concepts taught by other means and the actual scripture itself,†offers Habbas. She plans to provide a free online teaching supplement so that educators can use The Runaway Scarf in classroom lessons.
She is also hoping that K-12 librarians and educators in the United States use the book to expose non-Muslim children to Islamic culture and heritage.
Habbas says, “It would mean a lot if The Runaway Scarf made it outside of the Muslim community. It would be like a door opening between Muslim and non-Muslim kids.â€
The Runaway Scarf is a 52 page, color-illustrated paperback book, published by Muslim Writers Publishing and is available for purchase from stores including Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other bookstores.
Muslim Writers Publishing, a traditional publishing business, is based in Arizona and is owned by Linda Delgado, founder of the Islamic Writers Alliance. MWP specializes in English Language Islamic Fiction (ELIF) titles for adults, teens and children.
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