Asim Hussain is the author of the new book, Khadijah Goes to School – A story about You. Following six months of rigorous writing which underwent over one thousand edits and over three hundred people who refined the work by reading it and rereading it, the book is finally here! Khadijah Goes to School has been out for three months and has sold well three hundred copies. It has gone into some libraries, hospitals and the near future plan is to get it involved with social justice organizations.
In its simplest form Khadijah Goes to School is a storybook about a girl named Khadijah (yes, you guessed it!) who is quite reluctant to go to her new school. However, as time passes she begins to learn the importance of discovering and being true to herself. More so she learns the importance of education and understands that she must go to school because she will “learn so so so much”. The book states that a person is not simply educated if they go to school or have a degree but rather learning is a life time venture and so every moment is a life lesson from which great things can be harvested.
Asim Hussain says that, “life is helping yourself and helping other people™ ” (this is a phrase he came up with while he was developing the project) and he believes that it is through ongoing learning that we can achieve this goal. He believes that if we can help ourselves by discovering and being true to ourselves we can then move onto, “helping our community and ultimately making society better.” Therefore, he says that, “we need to question ourselves and our lives. We may believe that we have degrees but in reality, how much do you really know? We don’t even know what we know, and what we know we cannot quantify. Our actions are situational.” Thus, one of the messages Asim Hussain wants to convey is that learning is a continuous process and you are forever on that journey, “no matter who you are or what you already know.”
At first glance this book appears to be a children’s storybook; I am guilty of thinking this as well. But, once you read it and contemplate upon it you realize that this book is so much more than just a straightforward children’s book! It can also become quite overwhelming (in a good way) at times due to the many concept and topics addressed and discussed within it. It’s almost as if you find something different and new each time.
Some of the topics Khadijah Goes to School deals with are human rights, women’s rights and empowerment. The main character, Khadijah, “a young girl who is like any other girl, lovely, curious and ultimately confident, is contrary to the belief of some, of the stereotypical oppressed Muslim woman who is ignorant of education.” It showcases diversity. There are different languages and characters from various backgrounds (Arjun, David, The teacher) and as Asim Hussain tells me, “There is beauty in diversity and there is diversity in this book.” Most importantly this book is about the importance of INCLUSION! He says, “This book reflects ideas of pluralism via its entire presentation, an attestment of its inclusiveness.” Therefore, this book is not simply for Muslims and is not something you will only find in Islamic bookstores, Khadijah goes to School is mainstream!! Asim Hussain says that it is, “a book with a universal message”, so it includes all types of people in some way. He believes that this book just translated into the form of a storybook but it transcends any boundaries created by age, race etc. It is a book for all and that is why I truly love it because it also represents those that are constantly underrepresented in our society. Overall it is a very complex book!
Asim Hussain used the format of a children’s book is because he wants people “to ask questions and not simply judge.” The format of this book is a little misleading and we are quick to assume that it is just a book for children and nothing more, however, Asim Hussian says that, “this is precisely the reason he chose this format.” He says, “Pretty much everyone thought it was a children’s book and I really wanted people to question, How could one just instantly judge a book, anything, by its cover? It really goes deeper; do we judge people by their cover?” We all do this from time to time and so this book is, “speaking to you, the reader. It connects with you.” You might be wondering how this book is able to do this and the answer is that it is simply about the human condition, about human experiences and it is these experiences that unite us all. Asim Hussain says it is like a bundle of “shared advice”. So even though Khadijah Goes to School appears to be a children’s book, you now know it is so much more! AND MAYBE NOW YOU WON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER (maybe....).
All in all this is a very ‘Canadian’ book because of the portrayal of as the “Canadian flag, mention of Terry Fox, and talk of native Canadians.” Thus, it is about the experiences of a Canadian who is proud of his identity and he wants to share his stories with other Canadians. Asim Hussain believes that Khadijah Goes to School is a “tool which will prompt the reader to ask “Why?” for so many different reasons, which could lead to effective dialogue that can ultimately challenge stereotypes. And so it is time to go past these stereotypes we have of people and really learn about one another.”
This book is quite ‘unusual’ in many ways because it surpasses the ‘normal’ conventions of an archetypal book. One such example is how it reads right to left and Asim Hussain did this because he wants to show people that, “there are many ways to look at something and so there isn’t one way to do things.” In Canada there are so many different cultures and he believes that this is one way difference can be celebrated. Moreover, people are aware that there are many different cultures in Canada but one does not notice this unless they see something visual and this book is a, “multilayered graphical production”. Therefore, Asim Hussian believes that is it like a “primer, which is a starting point to start discussion and so he says, “ it is a bridge where we can meet and exchange identities, learn about each other, discuss ideas, and re-analyze ideas.”
You might be wondering why it’s called Khadijah Goes to School and not some other name like Rabia Goes to School (which might have been slightly cooler, just sayin’) but seriously why did Asim Hussain choose Khadijah? Why not some other name? Well the answer is quite simple and he says that it “I actually do not know. It’s still a mystery to me. There is no Khadijah in my life. No relatives. Nothing! The name just came to me.”I know you all wanted the title to be Rabia Goes to School, but maybe next time folks because Asim Hussian plans to do more writing!!! He is planning to write another book which he says “is along similar lines but it will definitely be a little different”.
This amazing and complex book at the core has a very simple and beautiful message and so it is one that anyone can relate because Khadijah Goes to School is “a story about you.” If you are interested in this book please visit the website, join the Facebook page, follow it on twitter and BUY THE BOOK its 10 dollars and can be purchased on khadijahgoestoschool.com or amazon.com. If you buy the book, please write a review on khadijahgoestoschool.com or amazon.com.
· Official Khadijah goes to School website: khadijahgoestoschool.com
· Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/khadijahgoestoschool
· Twitter: @studentasim
· Email Asim Hussain for question/inquires: info@khadijahgoestoschool.com
In its simplest form Khadijah Goes to School is a storybook about a girl named Khadijah (yes, you guessed it!) who is quite reluctant to go to her new school. However, as time passes she begins to learn the importance of discovering and being true to herself. More so she learns the importance of education and understands that she must go to school because she will “learn so so so much”. The book states that a person is not simply educated if they go to school or have a degree but rather learning is a life time venture and so every moment is a life lesson from which great things can be harvested.
Asim Hussain says that, “life is helping yourself and helping other people™ ” (this is a phrase he came up with while he was developing the project) and he believes that it is through ongoing learning that we can achieve this goal. He believes that if we can help ourselves by discovering and being true to ourselves we can then move onto, “helping our community and ultimately making society better.” Therefore, he says that, “we need to question ourselves and our lives. We may believe that we have degrees but in reality, how much do you really know? We don’t even know what we know, and what we know we cannot quantify. Our actions are situational.” Thus, one of the messages Asim Hussain wants to convey is that learning is a continuous process and you are forever on that journey, “no matter who you are or what you already know.”
At first glance this book appears to be a children’s storybook; I am guilty of thinking this as well. But, once you read it and contemplate upon it you realize that this book is so much more than just a straightforward children’s book! It can also become quite overwhelming (in a good way) at times due to the many concept and topics addressed and discussed within it. It’s almost as if you find something different and new each time.
Some of the topics Khadijah Goes to School deals with are human rights, women’s rights and empowerment. The main character, Khadijah, “a young girl who is like any other girl, lovely, curious and ultimately confident, is contrary to the belief of some, of the stereotypical oppressed Muslim woman who is ignorant of education.” It showcases diversity. There are different languages and characters from various backgrounds (Arjun, David, The teacher) and as Asim Hussain tells me, “There is beauty in diversity and there is diversity in this book.” Most importantly this book is about the importance of INCLUSION! He says, “This book reflects ideas of pluralism via its entire presentation, an attestment of its inclusiveness.” Therefore, this book is not simply for Muslims and is not something you will only find in Islamic bookstores, Khadijah goes to School is mainstream!! Asim Hussain says that it is, “a book with a universal message”, so it includes all types of people in some way. He believes that this book just translated into the form of a storybook but it transcends any boundaries created by age, race etc. It is a book for all and that is why I truly love it because it also represents those that are constantly underrepresented in our society. Overall it is a very complex book!
Asim Hussain used the format of a children’s book is because he wants people “to ask questions and not simply judge.” The format of this book is a little misleading and we are quick to assume that it is just a book for children and nothing more, however, Asim Hussian says that, “this is precisely the reason he chose this format.” He says, “Pretty much everyone thought it was a children’s book and I really wanted people to question, How could one just instantly judge a book, anything, by its cover? It really goes deeper; do we judge people by their cover?” We all do this from time to time and so this book is, “speaking to you, the reader. It connects with you.” You might be wondering how this book is able to do this and the answer is that it is simply about the human condition, about human experiences and it is these experiences that unite us all. Asim Hussain says it is like a bundle of “shared advice”. So even though Khadijah Goes to School appears to be a children’s book, you now know it is so much more! AND MAYBE NOW YOU WON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER (maybe....).
All in all this is a very ‘Canadian’ book because of the portrayal of as the “Canadian flag, mention of Terry Fox, and talk of native Canadians.” Thus, it is about the experiences of a Canadian who is proud of his identity and he wants to share his stories with other Canadians. Asim Hussain believes that Khadijah Goes to School is a “tool which will prompt the reader to ask “Why?” for so many different reasons, which could lead to effective dialogue that can ultimately challenge stereotypes. And so it is time to go past these stereotypes we have of people and really learn about one another.”
This book is quite ‘unusual’ in many ways because it surpasses the ‘normal’ conventions of an archetypal book. One such example is how it reads right to left and Asim Hussain did this because he wants to show people that, “there are many ways to look at something and so there isn’t one way to do things.” In Canada there are so many different cultures and he believes that this is one way difference can be celebrated. Moreover, people are aware that there are many different cultures in Canada but one does not notice this unless they see something visual and this book is a, “multilayered graphical production”. Therefore, Asim Hussian believes that is it like a “primer, which is a starting point to start discussion and so he says, “ it is a bridge where we can meet and exchange identities, learn about each other, discuss ideas, and re-analyze ideas.”
You might be wondering why it’s called Khadijah Goes to School and not some other name like Rabia Goes to School (which might have been slightly cooler, just sayin’) but seriously why did Asim Hussain choose Khadijah? Why not some other name? Well the answer is quite simple and he says that it “I actually do not know. It’s still a mystery to me. There is no Khadijah in my life. No relatives. Nothing! The name just came to me.”I know you all wanted the title to be Rabia Goes to School, but maybe next time folks because Asim Hussian plans to do more writing!!! He is planning to write another book which he says “is along similar lines but it will definitely be a little different”.
This amazing and complex book at the core has a very simple and beautiful message and so it is one that anyone can relate because Khadijah Goes to School is “a story about you.” If you are interested in this book please visit the website, join the Facebook page, follow it on twitter and BUY THE BOOK its 10 dollars and can be purchased on khadijahgoestoschool.com or amazon.com. If you buy the book, please write a review on khadijahgoestoschool.com or amazon.com.
· Official Khadijah goes to School website: khadijahgoestoschool.com
· Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/khadijahgoestoschool
· Twitter: @studentasim
· Email Asim Hussain for question/inquires: info@khadijahgoestoschool.com
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