In the trenches of depression, I built a fortress and I was a Queen lining up my bouts of therapy like soldiers off to war.

I jumped out of bed: this was the day I would have double eyelids.

Maybe they’ll be poets, academics,
teachers like their father,
one solid Ummah.

I’m a 28-year-old Hindu female. Not married and not what is considered “highly educated” in today’s world. So what exactly have I achieved?

It was a very important rule. To always match the shoes to the bag.

Before the clearly defined rights and responsibilities, women in jahiliyyah [pre-Islamic Arabia] were the property of men, were killed by men and buried alive, were sold by men and were exploited by men.

But, all this means nothing. I am a failure. That’s right, I’m single!

I always woke up in the middle of the night.

Growing up I didn’t ever hear or know the word privilege.

He asked me, why my colours don’t shine as brightly as hers.