You Must Be Layla

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Layla’s story is a very important story and it was told in a very fun and engaging way. Layla’s flaws were what made her human and humans can only take so much in different situations - especially at such a young age of 12-13 in year 8. This story was important as it showed no bounds in exploring the social injustices that exist in our time from racism to Islamaphobia - how it can go from derogatory comments to violence even in the school yard. I particularly enjoyed Layla's internal monologue; careening into disastrous interactions against her better judgement, watching it and critiquing it happening in almost real time, narrating her own disasters. With her long skirt and headscarf Layla certainly stands out at her new high school. Everyone thinks they know her, just from a glance. But do they? And does Layla really know herself?”

Yassmin worked on oil and gas rigs around Australia for almost half a decade before becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster. She published her debut memoir, Yassmin’s Story, at age 24, then became the presenter of Australia Wide, a national weekly current-affairs show on the ABC and Motor Mouth, a podcast on becoming an F1 driver. After hosting the documentary, The Truth About Racism, she created Hijabistas for the ABC, a series looking at the modest fashion scene in Australia. Her writing has appeared in publications like T een Vogue, London’s Evening Standard, the Guardian and numerous anthologies. We need to reflect seriously on who we support and love because we will be with them on the Day of Ressurection. "You will be with those whom you love." (Bukhari and Muslim). I am sure you are aware that feminists love and support LGBTQIA+. They believe no one can tell a woman who she should love. Muslim feminists encourage teenage Muslims to accept LGBTQIA+ as normal. Other examples are Malala Yousefzai, and Riz Ahmed, who endorsed the pro-trans movie Joyland and said it should not be banned in Pakistan. Unfortunately, Magied has also joined the queer bandwagon. This warm, humorous account of a larger-than-life Sudanese girl navigating a posh Australian school is an engaging read' Guardian

This novel is aimed at people at least 50 years younger than me (say 10 to 13), but the messages are just as clear to me as they would (or should) be to others. Layla is an engaging character: she and her family are immigrants from Sudan and have experienced both racism and Islamophobia. The real value of this story is in introducing these issues to younger readers in a way which should stimulate discussion. Layla’s determination to succeed is commendable, even if her application sometimes needs a little focus. If you want to invent something nobody has ever thought of before, you need to read the things that others don't read, look in the spaces other people are not in...' This reads a bit more of older middle-grade than young adult, and I think the themes and issues explored in this book are more fitting of older MG. What! Of all creatures, do you approach males and leave the spouses whom your Lord has created for you? Indeed, you are people transgressing (all limits)!' (Ash-Shu'araa: 165-166)

Initially, Layla attends the Islamic School of Brisbane (ISB) where there are students from all over the world, including India, Fiji, Nigeria, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Algeria, Malaysia and South Africa. Most of the students are recent migrants so their families also start to spend time together and become friends, creating a wonderfully diverse and welcoming community. Layla loves the school and her friends there, especially best friend Dina, but starts to want something more. Is this censorship or cancelling individuals? No, it is called enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, and it's obligatory to do this with wisdom, not hatred. So how should we react to Muslims who publically promote LGBTQIA+ to Muslims? Firstly do dua that Allah guides them and don't abuse or insult them. Should we promote their books on our bookstagram accounts? Should we give platforms to Muslims who publically promote haram lifestyles because we want to amplify the voices of Muslim women? I know Muslim women want to support other sisters because we know how much Islamophobia we face. If we do that, we will be accountable on the Day of Judgement if people listen to them because we recommended their books or asked them to speak at an event. Instead, promote and support Islamic content creators so you can share in their reward. Lottery Corruption, U.S.A. is very unique as compared to any other book written about the lotteries. There’s more than enough data and information to convince the reader, that our state lotteries are definitely being manipulated and controlled, illegally. This book is informative, enlightening, educational, and entertaining, so enjoy reading it. Visit: https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/846315-lottery-corruption-usa Sudanese-Australian activist Abdel-Magied's first novel is the sparkling tale of 13-year-old Layla, who moves to a new school, where she is the only pupil to wear a headscarf.

Firstly, Magied is a Muslim and knows that the actionsher Muslim character is undertakingare forbidden. She is also aware that it is forbidden to be gay. Therefore, why is a Muslim author promoting the idea that it's acceptable for Muslim teenagers to have a very intimate friendship with a boy and accept qawm Lut as the norm? A speedy read, filled with creative ideas, heart-warming character moments and the concept of knowing who you are. You Must Be Layla follows Layla a young Sudanese-Australian girl about to start a new, fancy private school and the challenges she faces and overcomes. this warm, humorous account of a larger-than-life Sudanese girl navigating a posh Australian school is an engaging read for 12-plus. Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian Abdel-Magied also explored the concept of being “the forgiving minority who has to look the other way”, and she introduces prominent figures like Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X along with the Islamic concept of forgiveness. I enjoyed reading this book and Layla made me laugh A LOT. This is a story told with humour and I enjoyed the way in which some serious issues were dealt with. I also loved Layla’s invention. I loved the ending, which draws together several of the themes: it seemed so appropriate, so hopeful (on most levels). And Layla learned that being the only hijabi is only one way of being different: others also have difficulty fitting in.

Now, given the recent tragedy in New Zealand, there is no better time for children to read books like this one. You Must Be Layla features a protagonist and story that are pivotal in today's Australian lit, but a few things fell short for me. Nonetheless, I think this is a good story for kids who want an accessible and approachable story about confidence, ambition, and prejudice.However, the story overall fell a little flat for me. The story itself (beyond Layla's journey and growth) wasn't quite compelling, the resolution felt off to me (I felt weird that [1] the resolution of the conflict fell on the onus of the white bully's forgiveness and [2] the best friend's gay character arc felt shoe-horned). Also, Lut's (as) wife was destroyed, not because she took part in homosexual acts but because she was their ally. With her long skirt and headscarf Layla certainly stands out at her new high school. Everyone thinks they know her, just from a glance. But do they? And does Layla really know herself?