Sumaiya Syed

“He saw that a moon arose from the holy man’s breast and came to sink in his own breast. A tree then sprouted from his navel and its shade compassed the world. Beneath this shade there were mountains, and streams flowed forth from the foot of each mountain. Some people drank from these running waters, others watered gardens, while yet others caused fountains to flow. When Osman awoke he told the story to the holy man, who said ‘Osman, my son, congratulations, for God has given the imperial office to you and your descendants and my daughter Malhun shall be your wife’.”
― Caroline Finkel, Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire

“I read aimlessly, until I learned to read selectively, with a purpose. - Malcom X”
― Alex Haley , The Autobiography of Malcolm X

“Words and stories washed ashore on that ancient way of the sea, and we made of them new songs. The sun came again, casting shadows that we peeled off the street to make of them new clothes.”
― Susan Abulhawa, The Blue Between Sky and Water

“Tell him that he and all of the other moderate Negroes who are getting somewhere need to always remember that it was us extremists who made it possible.”
― Malcolm X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X