Bilqis

“I must settle for freedom in this modern time”
― Leila Aboulela, Minaret

“All over India, all over the world, as the sun or the shadow of darkness moves from east to west, the call to prayer moves with it, and people kneel down in a wave to pray to God. Five waves each day - one for each namaaz - ripple across the globe from longitude to longitude. The component elements change direction, like iron filings near a magnet - towards the house of God in Mecca.”
― Vikram Seth, A Suitable Boy

“Control yourself, it is not worth it. You will regret your rudeness afterwards, your sensitive nature will be troubled”
― Leila Aboulela, Minaret

“Tell the trafic jams to not open their roads to you.
Tell the eyes that meet you on the road, that I’m no longer jealous.
Tell the souls that share with you the details of your day, that I no longer wish to be them.
Tell to the one I advised to take care of you, to forget my advice, and to neglect you as she wants.
Tell your pillow to not be gentle with your head.
Tell your tooth brush to not be gentle with your gums.
Tell your hair brush to not care about your head skin.
Tell your blanket to not give you warmth.
Tell your winter clothes to not protect you from the cold.
Tell the streets’ dogs to frighten you.
Tell your car’s other seat that I no longer dream of sitting on it.
Tell your country that I no longer dream of flying to it.
Tell your friends, your coworkers, your best friend, your neighbours, the world, the universe, your ground, your sky, I broke your chains, and I no longer care about you. So leave on the story’s seat a dry flower, and leave my memory.”
― Shahrazad al-Khalij