This Vital New Anthology Centers The Voices Of British Muslim Women

As the U.K officially triggered the start of Brexit last week, it remains more important than ever that the publishing industry serves as a space for distinct and diverse voices. So it’s only right that at such a pivotal moment, the timely The Things I Would Tell You arrives. Published on April 3 by Saqi Books, the anthology is edited by Sabrina Mahfouz, a British-Egyptian playwright, performer, and writer, and showcases vital work from Muslim women across the U.K.

The book will include a varied collection of poems, short stories, plays, and essays. The list of contributors includes Shaista Aziz, a freelance journalist and co founder of Everyday Bigotry — a platform documenting Islamophobia and racism — and Kamila Shamsie, author of the acclaimed novel A God In Every Stone .

Also among the contributors are a number of creatives working in other sectors of the arts, such as acting and poetry. This includes the anonymous internet figure and actress Miss L, who runs the popular page Casting Call Woe, which collects inappropriate and bizarre casting calls. Aliyah Hasinah, poet and co-host of the podcast Who Got The Juice?, is also featured, as well as writer Chimene Suleyman, whose poetry collection Outside Looking On explores the theme of loneliness.

Talking to BBC World Service, Mahfouz explained: “The vast diversity of Muslim women voices aren’t heard. Often women of Muslim heritage who don’t necessarily regard themselves as religious but still identify as being Muslim as a cultural inheritance, are often only given a platform when it’s to do with a news story.”

The Things I Would Tell You is available now via Saqi Books.