After much reading, discussion, and passionate thoughts, the judges have finally cast their ballots – and the Muslim Book Awards 2025 winners are in!

Best Toddler Book

Here’s Our Religion is a unique giant-sized board book that kids will turn to over and over again! Rather than telling a story, this book introduces images and short descriptions of important Islamic concepts and themes, such as Ummah, Qur’an, Salah, Ramadan, Zakat/Sadaqa, Hajj, and Sunnah.

Best Picture Book

Saif’s Special Patches is about a little boy who is shy – but also much more than “just shy”! The patches in his special quilt represent all the different instances that Saif has been persistent, helpful, brave, and smart – and remind him that even though it’s not easy learning how to swim or knowing how to help out at the masjid, he can do it!

Best Young Adult

Huda F Wants to Know? does a lot more than just crack jokes. This latest installment in the Huda F series starts with Huda preparing for her junior year of high school, with laser focus on ACT exam prep, applying for scholarships, and getting her driver’s ed done. What she didn’t expect was her parents telling her that they’re getting a divorce. This graphic novel does what I never expected a comic series to do: explore mental health, friendship, and family relationships with care and nuance.

Best Adult Fiction

“Far Away from Here” is a brilliant debut that brings us the story of three Black Americans Muslims in New Orleans, set after Hurricane Katrina. Weaving together spiritual journeys, personal struggles, and the history of Black Muslims in the American landscape, this book is deeply immersive and reminds readers of the power of faith in Allah.

Best Holiday Book

“The Eidi Bag” isn’t just a story about celebrating Eid al-Fitr; it’s a story of culture, faith, anticipation, disappointment, change, and appreciation. It is Sarah’s first Eid in a new country and she has made herself a new Eidi bag just for the occasion! But it turns out that Eid traditions in this different place aren’t quite the same as back home. Sarah longs for Pakistan and the traditions that she is used to, but she slowly realizes that different traditions can also be fun and filled with love and joy.

Best Juvenile Non-Fiction

“Shining Hearts: Sahabah Stories for Kids” by Marium Uqaili introduces both male and female companions (five of each) in a way that isn’t dry or too detail-heavy. The text is spaced out well on the pages, with small side facts and questions laid out as well. This is excellent for 5+ as a learning resource!

Best Adult Non-Fiction

“The Heart of Design: Spirituality, Creativity and Entrepreneurship” is a brilliant examination of Islamic principles in the context of design, business, creative pursuits, and more. The book connects personal spiritual lessons with external practice, highlighting how one can cultivate a holistic higher praxis. Lush in layout and rich in content, this book will linger with readers long after they’re done, inviting them to return over and over again.

Best Illustrations

“Dear Moon” is a visually gorgeous book that serves as the perfect coffee table book or gift to loved ones. Characterized by soft colour schemes, sweet hijabi characters, and Islamic reminders, this book is a delight to the eyes and the heart. This book is a collection of Zayneb Haleem’s best work, quoting Quranic ayaat and other gentle Islamic reminders. Whether you’re an adult who just needs a glimpse of joy, or a young one who loves pretty illustrations, this book will definitely be picked up and flipped through often.

Judges’ Choice

“A Mouth Full of Salt” is a tale of long-ago (and yet not that long ago) Sudan that meanders like the Nile, but with a powerful undercurrent that pulls you to its end. A little boy drowns in a village, setting off a chain of tragedies and discoveries that uncover generational secrets. The women at the peripherals of the village are much more than sideline observers; their lives underscore the village’s past and future.

Bookseller’s Choice

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden is the story of a young Palestinian girl and her Jiddo.

Jiddo’s garden is a wonder. In it grows so many amazing things—to see, smell, and taste. But helping him to tend the garden teaches this young girl about even more than fig trees. It gives her a chance to discover just who she is. Many years ago, like so many Palestinians, her family was forced to leave their homeland. But Jiddo shows her how, until they can return, tending a garden can connect them to home—and to each other!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all the winners of the Muslim Book Awards 2025!

[DON’T FORGET! SPECIAL COUPON CODE: Use the coupon code “MBR” for 15% off all products ordered from Crescent Moon Bookstore!]

Related:

Muslim Book Awards 2025: Finalists

The Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2024 Winners

The post The Muslim Book Awards 2025 Winners appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Each year, the MBA judges dedicate their time to going through books by Muslim authors and illustrators, for audiences of all ages. Our mission is to find the best books of the year, combining Islamic values with storytelling craft, creativity, and publication quality. Whether self-published, Muslim-published, or traditionally published, MBA holds every Muslim story to the standard of Ihsaan… because Muslim readers deserve the best!

After many hours spent poring over the 2025 submissions, we present the 2025 Muslim Book Awards Finalists!

Many of the books can be ordered from our sponsor, Crescent Moon Bookstore, and a link has been provided for each title. Read through the whole post to find our special Coupon Code at the end, and get a discount off your order!

[Note: This year, we did not receive enough submissions for the Early Reader/ Chapter Book and Middle Grade categories to include them in the finalists.]

Toddler Books

Street Puppy, Masjid Cat is sweet picture book all about a street puppy and masjid kitten, who live very different lives – yet cross paths unexpectedly. The simple rhymes contrast the street puppy’s life to that of the pampered cat in the masjid, and the vibrant illustrations evoke the lushness of Southeast Asia.

Dark Nights and Light Hearts: A Muslim Book of Opposites continues Hena Khan’s series of toddler books introducing colors, shapes, and now opposites! The heartfelt rhymes, the centering of Islam, and the enveloping illustrations make these books timeless, sought after, and beloved.

Momo & Bronty’s First Book About Allah is a sturdy board book that uses bright illustrations and simple language to introduce the concept of Allah to the youngest members of the Ummah. This book covers concepts like the oneness of Allah, Allah as the Creator and the All-Hearing, and our ultimate goal of reaching Jannah.

My First Book About Charity is also a continuation of a great Muslim board book series that teaches little Muslims the basic fundamentals of Islam. The soft, glowing illustrations creates a loving positive relationship between young readers and what they’re learning about, establishing the beginnings of a lifelong connection to Islam, inshaAllah.

Here’s Our Religion is a unique giant-sized board book that kids will turn to over and over again! Rather than telling a story, this book introduces images and short descriptions of important Islamic concepts and themes, such as Ummah, Qur’an, Salah, Ramadan, Zakat/Sadaqa, Hajj, and Sunnah.

Picture Books

The City of Jasmine is a celebration of a land beloved to Muslims, one which has finally been freed from decades of tyranny. Nadine Presley’s gorgeous descriptions of the Umayyad masjid, Qal’at Dimashq, the Barada river, marketplaces and bookstores and kitchens and courtyards, are a love letter to the blessed lands of Shaam.

Hilwa’s Gifts is a beautiful slice of Palestinian life, showcasing joy and tradition. Ali is visiting his family in Palestine, and it’s olive harvest season! Seedo teaches Ali the traditional method of harvesting olives, with love and care, and the journey that the olives will take into becoming gifts that keep on giving.

Saif’s Special Patches is about a little boy who is shy – but also much more than “just shy”! The patches in his special quilt represent all the different instances that Saif has been persistent, helpful, brave, and smart – and remind him that even though it’s not easy learning how to swim or knowing how to help out at the masjid, he can do it!

All the Ways to be Pretty provides an Islamic approach to internal beauty to counter the societal emphasis on external appearance, by drawing on the examples of Ai’shah (RA), Khadija (RA), Sumayyah (RA), Maryam (RA), Hajar (RA), and Rufaidah (RA), may Allah swt be pleased with them all.

Young Adult Books

Huda F Wants to Know? does a lot more than just crack jokes. This latest installment in the Hua F series starts with Huda preparing for her junior year of high school, with laser focus on ACT exam prep, applying for scholarships, and getting her driver’s ed done. What she didn’t expect was her parents telling her that they’re getting a divorce. This graphic novel does what I never expected a comic series to do: explore mental health, friendship, and family relationships with care and nuance.

“Odd Girl Out”  is a Muslamic take on quintessential YA: a teenager going through big life changes, dealing with the drama… and in this case, also facing Islamophobia. Maaryah Rashid’s life is uprooted by her parents’ divorce, in more ways than one. She has to leave behind her glamorous life in Dubai to live in the middle of nowhere, Essex; she’s the only hijabi at her school and the target of a nasty Islamophobic bully; and her mom is so busy falling apart after the divorce that she doesn’t seem to notice Maaryah’s own grief, loneliness, and struggles. There are repeated references to salah, hijab as an act of worship, and what being Muslim means in the West.

As with all Muslamic YA that touches on various teenager-y things (boys, parties, various haraamness), I recommend this for 15+ and for parents to be willing to have discussions with their children on these topics.

Hand Me Down Your Revolution is a collection of short stories, poems, and memoir essays produced by Muslim Youth Musings, a fantastic literary organization for aspiring Muslim writers. From the magical realism of “Where the Crimson Roses Bloom” to the amusing “Jamal’s Kufi,” the deeply moving “A Love Letter to Muslim Kids in Public Schools” the gorgeous prose of Rituals for the Grieving” and “Mother Wound,” there’s a little something for everyone.

Adult Fiction

“The Slightest Green” is a multi generational novel weaves a narrative that will stay with the readers for the warmth and depth it explores of a fictional Palestinian family. The characters and their stories, their trauma and dreams are very tied to Palestine and the occupation, but the focus on the individual and the ripple effects will linger.

“Detective Aunty” is on the case! Kausar Khan is a widow who’s always had a knack for figuring things out, and when her daughter is accused of murder, she knows she has to do more than cook, clean, and keep an eye on her granddaughters. The problem is… no one else, including the real killer, is happy that she’s investigating! Billed as a cozy mystery, this book also touches on larger themes of grief and loss, estranged family relationships and healing, and even thoughtful reflections on growing older as a desi woman.

“A Mouth Full of Salt” is a tale of long-ago (and yet not that long ago) Sudan that meanders like the Nile, but with a powerful undercurrent that pulls you to its end. A little boy drowns in a village, setting off a chain of tragedies and discoveries that uncover generational secrets. The women at the peripherals of the village are much more than sideline observers; their lives underscore the village’s past and future.

“Far Away from Home” is a brilliant debut that brings us the story of three Black Americans Muslims in New Orleans, set after Hurricane Katrina. Weaving together spiritual journeys, personal struggles, and the history of Black Muslims in the American landscape, this book is deeply immersive and reminds readers of the power of faith in Allah.

Holiday Books

“The Eidi Bag” isn’t just a story about celebrating Eid al-Fitr; it’s a story of culture, faith, anticipation, disappointment, change, and appreciation. It is Sarah’s first Eid in a new country and she has made herself a new Eidi bag just for the occasion! But it turns out that Eid traditions in this different place aren’t quite the same as back home. Sarah longs for Pakistan and the traditions that she is used to, but she slowly realizes that different traditions can also be fun and filled with love and joy.

“Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook” introduces us to Rahma Road, where Muslims of many diverse backgrounds get together to observe Ramadan together. Each spread features a glimpse of a family’s iftar prep, and a recipe for the meal that comes from the diverse backgrounds: roti bom for Malaysians, koshary for Egyptians, and even South African rep with bunny chow!

“Ibraheem’s Perfect Eid” is a sweet story about a little boy realizing there is more to Eid than presents. While Ibraheem is very worried about whether he got presents or not, this also incorporates references to the Sunan of Eid, shows Eid salah (and Ibraheem actually listening to the khutbah!), and niqabi rep in the illustrations.

Juvenile Non-Fiction

“40 Hadiths for Children” covers 40 short, easy-to-understand ahadith about good actions, good character, worship, and daily life. The hadith text is featured on the left page, while the next page briefly explains the hadith in child-appropriate language, alongside practical tips on how to implement the hadith. This is great for parents to read with their kids (short and sweet to incorporate into a daily khaatira), and madrasah teachers

“Eliyas Explains What Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu ‘alayh wa sallam) Was Like” continues Zanib Mian’s unique storytelling style of goofy-but-relatable kid escapades as a vehicle to delve into Islamic themes and discussions. Eliyas learns all about RasulAllah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) from his parents and uncle – and how to apply the Prophet’s character to his own everyday life. As with every Eliyas Explains book, this one is perfect for kids who have otherwise short attention spans. It’s an easy to read early chapter book, there are different fonts and little illustrations to engage young readers’ attention.

“Shining Hearts: Sahabah Stories for Kids” by Marium Uqaili introduces both male and female companions (five of each) in a way that isn’t dry or too detail-heavy. The text is spaced out well on the pages, with small side facts and questions laid out as well. This is excellent for 5+ as a learning resource!

“Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from around the World” features Muslim women (specifically hijabis) from around the world, engaged in a wide variety of sports. From hockey to archery, parkour to skateboarding, it was impressive to see all the fields Muslimas have excelled in. Detailed backmatter discusses why Muslim women wear hijab, and touches on related issues such as modest sportswear and perseverance.

“The Prince of Stars: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons” is a rich, visually stunning exploration of a figure of Islamic history. Ulugh Beg was a Timurid Muslim prince whose true passion lay in studying astronomy, leading to discoveries that would change the course of science forever. While this is targeted at 4-8 year olds, even older children go back to this book to read, learn, and re-live the adventure!

Adult Non-Fiction

“One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” is a blistering reckoning of the genocide of Palestinians, and the larger geopolitical context in which Zionist occupation and Western imperialism have become the status quo. This book is for a generation that understands the west can no longer be trusted to police and guide the world, or its own cities and campuses. It draws on intimate details of Omar’s own story as an emigrant who grew up believing in the western project, who was catapulted into journalism by the rupture of 9/11.

“Bigger Than Divorce: A Muslim Woman’s Path to Healing and Purpose” is unique contribution to non-fiction, tackling the difficult subject of divorce and its aftermath. The book’s approach is pragmatic; there is no wallowing in angst and self-pity, but rather acknowledging the hard emotions of divorce, and then moving forward in a spiritually and emotionally healthy way. The author grounds her work  in spiritual wellbeing, beginning with considering one’s purpose in life as a slave of Allah, and using our relationship with our Creator as the foundation of building the next chapter of our life post-divorce.

“The Heart of Design: Spirituality, Creativity and Entrepreneurship” is a brilliant examination of Islamic principles in the context of design, business, creative pursuits, and more. The book connects personal spiritual lessons with external practice, highlighting how one can cultivate a holistic higher praxis. Lush in layout and rich in content, this book will linger with readers long after they’re done, inviting them to return over and over again.

Illustrations

“Lulu in the Spotlight” is a delightful romp through a typical desi wedding! Lulu is finally old enough to have a plan of her own for winning the prize during joota chupai, and Natasha Khan Khazi’s illustrations truly convey the excitement, emotions, and colors of South Asian weddings.

“Animals Love Qur’an” is the official songbook for the classic Dawud Wharnsby Ali nasheed of millennial childhoods! Azra Momin’s signature illustrations bring the classic lyrics to life, evoking nostalgia in us parents and passing on this beloved childhood song to the next generation.

“Dear Moon” is a visually gorgeous book that serves as the perfect coffee table book or gift to loved ones. Characterized by soft colour schemes, sweet hijabi characters, and Islamic reminders, this book is a delight to the eyes and the heart. This book is a collection of Zayneb Haleem’s best work, quoting Quranic ayaat and other gentle Islamic reminders. Whether you’re an adult who just needs a glimpse of joy, or a young one who loves pretty illustrations, this book will definitely be picked up and flipped through often.

“Ibraheem’s Perfect Eid” is a sweet story about a little boy realizing there is more to Eid than presents. Nabila Adani’s illustrations show important parts of the story, like Ibraheem listening to the Eid khutbah, and the wide diversity of the Ummah being represented.

“Sunflower Kisses” might be another hijab story for girls, but Hatice Kubra Erkut’s bright illustrations create vivid imagery of a magical glow flowing from Ayah’s hijab. Celebrating Muslim illustrators and artists starts with appreciating their work in all its forms, and “Sunflower Kisses” is a lovely way to witness Erkut’s work for the first time.

Bookseller’s Choice

Check back on January 9th to see our reveal for the Bookseller’s Choice book this year!

Don’t forget to stay tuned for our announcement of the winners next week, inshaAllah!

[SPECIAL COUPON CODE: Use the coupon code “MBR” for 15% off all products ordered from Crescent Moon Bookstore!]

Related:

The Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2024: Meet The Finalists!

The post Muslim Book Awards 2025: Finalists appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Here at MuslimMatters, we published around 250 articles and podcasts: from timely current affairs pieces to community updates from across the world, from Islamic book reviews to investigative articles, from deep-dives into Islamic history, to of course, faith-led discourse around various modern-day themes.

Just in case you missed out – or even if you wouldn’t mind a re-read! – we’ve put together a roundup of articles that most piqued our readers’ interests over the past year.

We give you: The MuslimMatters Readers’ Choice Most Popular Articles From 2025:

THE TOP THREE

1.

Over 85 Muslim Scholars, Leaders And Institutions Say Muslim Nations Can Take “Concrete Action” To End Gaza Genocide

2.

Pro-Israeli Dating Company Quietly Buys Out Popular Muslim Marriage App

3.

The Fiqh Of Vaginal Discharge: Pure or Impure?

 – Islam & Spirituality

The Perspective of Khalwa from the Quran and Sunnah: Advice For Modern Day Interactions

My Rabb Will Never Abandon Us: A Personal Journey Through Love, Loss, And Tawakkul

The Muslim Woman And Menopause: Navigating The ‘Invisible’ Transition With Faith And Grace

 – Society

MuslimMatters Still Stands With Imam Nick

Beyond Badr: Transforming Muslim Political Vision

The Expansion Trap: Why Mosques Are Struggling Despite Fundraising

 – Life

Money And Wealth In Islam : The Root Of All Evil?

Is Your Temu Package Made With Uyghur Forced Labour?

10 Lessons After 10 Years Of Marriage

 – Culture

The Promise of SAIF: Towards a Radical Islamic Futurism

A Prayer On Wings: A Poem Of Palestinian Return

K-Pop Demon Hunters: Certainly Not for Kids

 – Current Affairs

The Elon Musk Anti-Islam Crusade

American Patriotism and Israel – How Should Muslims Navigate the Two?

Is Syria’s New President The Type Of Political Leader Muslims Have Been Waiting For?

 – Podcasts

[Podcast] The Power of Du’a: A Game Changer

Islam, Decoloniality, And Allamah Iqbal On Revolution

[Podcast] How Sports Gambling is Destroying Muslim Men | Omar Usman

 – Special Mention

In the midst of everything else that we published, a special shout-out has to go to Moonshot: the riveting and beautiful Islamic short story series (by our very own Wael Abdelgawad!) that saw us through the year, having us eagerly waiting for Sundays for the next chapter to be published.

Moonshot: A Short Story [Part 1]

And finally, a great, big jazakAllahukhair to all of our readers, both loyal and new. Please do keep commenting, sharing, and of course, reading!

Related:

The MM Recap – 2024 Reader’s Choice Articles

The MuslimMatters Ramadan Podcast Playlist 2025

The post MM Wrapped – Our Readers’ Choice Most Popular Articles From 2025 appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

The Muslim Book Awards (MBA) is an annual celebration of Muslim voices in publishing, from mainstream publishers, Islamic publishers, or authors who self-publish. Hosted by MuslimMatters.org and featuring a panel of well-known Muslimah reviewers from Bookstagram, the MBA takes in nominations before finally judging the entries and announcing the winners on MuslimMatters!

MuslimMatters is proud to host the Muslim Book Awards.

What is Muslim Bookstagram?

Muslim Bookstagram is the unofficial name for the niche space on Instagram where Muslim book lovers reside! It is a vibrant community of readers, writers, librarians, bookstore owners, and all those who are bookishly inclined.

Book reviews are shared, new and old publications highlighted, and deep discussions about publishing, representation, and storytelling are had. Muslim Bookstagram has become both an amazing space for valuable conversations and a resource for Muslim parents, as well as anyone else interested in diverse, representative literature.

Who are the judges of the MBA 20245?

Amire Hoxha is a mechanical drafter by trade, a reader by heart, and the author of “AMAR’S FAJR REWARD“! Her meticulous nature helps her identify quality and assess books. Aside from her online presence, Amire has established, curated and grown her local masjid library for 7 years. Her background in Islamic knowledge has made her an authentic resource for Muslim parents wanting authentic Islamic books. Follow her on Instagram: @muslimkidsbooknook

Shifa Saltagi Safadi is the author of KAREEM BETWEEN (Putnam 2024), the AMINA BANANA chapter book series (Putnam 2025), the picture book THE GIFT OF EID (Holiday House 2025), and indie Muslim published SPELL IT LIKE SAMAR (2019), HEAVEN AT MAMA’S FEET (2021) and PEPPERONI, PITCHES, AND OTHER PROBLEMS (2021). Shifa shares her favorite Muslim books on her online instagram bookblog @muslimmommyblog and is an ELA middle school teacher, so books are basically her whole life! Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago (GO BEARS!) with her husband and four children.

Kirin Nabi is a former Islamic School Librarian who now stewards three little free libraries, and posts about children’s and YA books by Muslim authors or books containing Muslim characters at www.islamicschoollibrarian.com. Find her on Instagram: @islamicschoollibrarian

Zainab bint Younus is a Canadian Muslim woman who writes on Muslim women’s issues, gender-related injustice in the Muslim community, and Muslim women in Islamic history. She also provides in-depth book reviews of Muslamic literature on her Instagram account, covering everything from YA and adult fiction, academic treatises, and Islamic religious literature. You can find her on Instagram (@bintyounus) and support her via Patreon.

Calling all Muslim authors, illustrators, and publishers!

Submissions are restricted to Muslim authors, illustrators, and publishers. If you’ve written, illustrated, or published a Muslim-books-awards-worthy book, we want to know about it!

Application Requirements:

Written by a Muslim author

A Muslim story: The story must involve clearly Muslim characters and at least some reference to elements of Islam.

Islamically appropriate: The story must not promote beliefs or actions that are clearly prohibited by Islam or go against Islamic values. This does NOT mean that characters don’t experience serious conflicts or go through challenges; it does mean that the final message should not be something that promotes unIslamic beliefs or actions (e.g. shirky beliefs, promoting LBGTQ relationships, praising zina).

Published between January 2025-December 2025

English language: Unfortunately, we do not have the resources or ability to include non-English-language books.

Must be prepared to provide sample pages upon request

Must be prepared to provide complimentary physical copies to all 4 judges

 No AI, whether used for writing or illustrations.

Submit Your Book!

Click here to submit your favorite Muslim publication of 2025 for the Muslim Book Awards!

Submissions will close on September 15, 2025, and winners will be announced in January 2026! There’s not much time, so hurry to submit your books today!

Support Our Official Sponsor!

Crescent Moon Bookstore is the generous official sponsor of the Muslim Book Awards 2023, 2024, and 2025! CMB carefully curates books, toys, games, stationery, and home decor for every Muslim household. Crescent Moon was created for all of us wanting to make our homes and the world a better place. A portion of all proceeds goes to several different children’s charities around the world for humanitarian aid. Crescent Moon Bookstore has an incredible selection of Muslim books for all ages, with free US shipping over $60.00 and free Canadian shipping over $125!

Related:

Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2021 – What Makes A Winning Story?

The post The Muslim Book Awards 2025 appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Alhamdulillah, the blessed month of Ramadan 1446 AH, has arrived. May Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) make us of those whose faith is increased, whose sins are forgiven, and whose worship and good deeds are accepted, ameen!

Ramadan Content

Stay tuned for MuslimMatters’ ongoing Ramadan content!

This year, we have another collaboration with the IOK Seminary with a daily series of Ramadan reminders, in addition to more brand-new content around tahajjud, fasting, juggling family, work, and fasting, mental health and wellness, and more.

Check out our archives for more timeless content as well! Don’t forget to share any articles, videos, and podcasts that you feel have been beneficial to you, and may be for others as well.

Related:

The MM Recap: Most Popular Ramadan Articles

The MuslimMatters Ramadan Podcast Playlist [2023]

The post Ramadan Mubarak 1446 AH appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

The reason we are writing this post is because all attempts to meet with Imam Nick and resolve his issues with us have failed. We tried several times either directly or via intermediary and are left with no recourse except a public statement as well as providing full transparency regarding our communication with him. We hope that by “laying our cards on the table” openly, Imam Nick will reconsider and meet with our team.

Background

Last summer, Imam Nick Pelletier released an impassioned video regarding multiple child sex abuse incidents that took place in a Dallas masjid in 2018  (our Editor-in-Chief wrote in support of Imam Nick’s stance at the time the scandal broke). He recounted the fallout that occurred as a result of his khutbah condemning board members for:

1. Performing their own investigation
2. Not reporting the incident to police immediately
3. Allowing the perpetrator to escape back to their home country of Pakistan

He additionally added details regarding the abuse incident, making clear the perpetrator wasn’t simply engaging in culturally appropriate gestures of affection or, as was alleged in a MuslimMatters op-ed [def: an “opposite editorial” which strongly expresses a personal opinion of the writer, but does not necessarily reflect the views of the publication], “inappropriate touch”, but sucking on the face of the children involved until they had bruises and grabbing their crotches while doing so.

Finally, Imam Nick mentioned a hit piece (referring to the Oped) was written on MuslimMatters attacking his credibility, claiming no molestation had taken place, and that he was harshly overreacting.

Here is that video:

MuslimMatters’ Response

Executive Director Reaches Out
Upon seeing the video above, I responded to the video directly in the comments section – in fact, I was the very first comment. I told Imam Nick I not only supported what he did, if it were my child I would have gone after the perpetrator myself and potentially the board members physically. I also left my email address for him to contact me. For reasons unknown, my comment was deleted.

Editor-in-Chief and Podcast Team Reaches Out
Similarly, our Editor-in-Chief, Hena Zuberi, states she also attempted to reach out (with a link to her editorial  in his support that was published a day after he gave a khutbah about the incident at his mosque) but her comment was deleted. One of our podcast hosts Irtiza Hasan reached out to Imam Nick to come on the MuslimMatters podcast and have the floor to say whatever he thought appropriate to discuss. After initially responding with questions around logistics, Imam Nick didn’t follow-up with communication, but used Irtiza’s email in a subsequent Instagram reel posted here:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8QJVybubh0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Imam Nick Posts Questions for MM on Instagram

Communication with Irtiza ceased after this post. Within the Instagram post, Imam Nick asked some questions such as:

1. If I was wrong all this time, why even give me the time of day?
2. Why even offer me a platform?
3. If I was right all this time, why did it take 5 years for you to get back to me?

What Imam Nick Didn’t Know

It became clear to me that Imam Nick wasn’t aware the MuslimMatters organizational public position on what happened at the Dallas masjid was that we supported him.

For example, Imam Nick mentioned multiple times in the first video above that FACE had uploaded his khutbah video and shared it after the Dallas masjid hid it. He didn’t mention that MuslimMatters had also uploaded the video to its YouTube channel on Oct 29th, 2018.

On the same day, we also published a post authored by our Editor-in-Chief highlighting the good Imam Nick had done, and expanding on the mandatory reporting aspect as both an Islamic duty and legal obligation no one should neglect to secure the rights of the victims. That post can be found here:

Sacred and Civic Trust: Imam Calls Out Suspected Sexual Abuse In Friday Sermon

Answering Imam Nick’s Questions from Instagram

In response to questions above, we never thought he was wrong. Not ever. We all held the position that what he did was correct. In answer to his second question, because we thought he did the right thing, we would of course offer to platform him. And to his final question, why wait five years to get back to him – as far as we were concerned, our public position has always been that we support what he did. We only got back to him recently because he made us aware that the article from Imam Jawad had been causing him problems.

We get where he was coming from. Because he didn’t know we actually supported his position, and he was perhaps only recently aware of our support for him, he thought we were another “go along, get along” organization. That’s not us – this organization was established to break through and talk about these taboo topics from a traditional point of view because we only have a culturally avoidant mindset in one corner, and an “everyone is guilty until proven innocent” group on the other end. Like Imam Nick, we have been labeled as being too activist, too social justice, and too “feminist” for raising these topics.

Two days after we published his video with supporting materials, we also published the following:

Preventing Child Abuse: What Can You Do?

Anyone who wants to check our archives, you will find that we have been publishing articles, sharing resources, and calling attention to these problems as far back as 2009, so we are certainly not riding some bandwagon or coming to the party late – if anything, we’re among the first traditional / orthodox organizations speaking up and speaking out about these issues – you can go through the archives on this link and find many articles over more than a decade:

https://muslimmatters.org/tag/sexual-abuse/

Imam Jawad’s Article

Misconceptions About How This Article was Published

A few things to know about this article:

1. Shaykh Yasir Qadhi has had no input on this article. He didn’t know it existed, that it was published, or have anything to do with it. While Shaykh Yasir has advised the organization in the past, he has no position, no authority, and certainly no awareness of day-to-day operations and in the time in question, that was most certainly the case. When I returned to MM in early 2019, he also left as an informal advisor.
2. Other staff members mentioned by Imam Nick and other critical videos such as Ahmad Al Farsi also had no input on this article going up.
3. Our organization didn’t put this article up because we were attempting to “both sides” the issue – in an email chain (which we will share below in full), we told Imam Nick we published a supporting article and not just Imam Jawad’s article to demonstrate there was no agenda to create a hit piece to discredit Imam Nick as someone who was experiencing a “cultural misunderstanding”.

My Thoughts on Imam Jawad’s Article

After having read it for the first time, I found his position / authority, statements, conclusions, and recommendations unfounded. In examining the article and Imam Nick’s videos, it became clear that he:

1. Didn’t speak to Imam Nick to understand what had occurred or why he delivered his khutbah.
2. Didn’t speak to the masjid board directly, but read a posting (”I have no relationship with the Masjid nor its management, but it seems to me after doing my little investigation…”).
3. Didn’t speak to the police directly about the case or have access to files, paperwork, documents, or evidence (”It is important to note that the officer could not comment on the actual investigation and spoke to me generally. It is also important to note that this article should not be used to determine what is and what isn’t illegal behavior.”)
4. Didn’t speak to any of the victims or their parents.
5. He’s not from the community and doesn’t know anyone in the board leadership, Imam Nick, or the families involved.

Imam Jawad reached out to me recently and what I’ve written above, I told him directly, and that I would post my own opinion within this write-up. He has been very gracious, wanting to meet with Imam Nick, reconcile, and bring this matter to a close. He has stated to me he is more than willing to retract his own article and even apologize so that amends can be made in this situation, inshaAllah.

Imam Jawad’s article also provided sincere advice to remain calm and not become angry. This is generally good advice, but we remain angry for the sake of Allah when our children are taken advantage of or when community leaders to try to hide these matters and “go along, get along.” The board put on a dog and pony show after the khutbah to say Imam Nick is their brother, and thank you, and so on, and then fired him soon after.

To be clear, I am not claiming Imam Jawad is trying to support or hide child sex abuse (or that he is a “go-along, get-along” type). However, Imam Nick’s advice that criminal matters go to the police is cogent. There is no room for the board of any masjid board to be involved once the discussion is physical or sexual abuse of minors, adults, and so on. Our faith-based institutions aren’t designed to handle criminal matters and as such should defer to the law when such matters occur. We need people with training in law, counseling, abuse, as well as the community context lack to perform thorough investigations rather than leave it to community volunteers.

Discussion with Imam Nick

Email Exchange Between Myself and Imam Nick

I finally had the opportunity to speak with Imam Nick in July via email exchange. He received a message on Instagram from our staff and wrote to me. I explained both our support for his position and desire to have our Editor-in-Chief and myself meet with him where we could answer all his questions directly (eg. who was involved in bringing the article up, why did it go up, can we take it down, etc.). The following is the full email exchange:

Imam Nick’s Friend Reaches Out

In addition, a friend of his reached out to me on Facebook asking what could be done to fix the situation. I told the friend that I had already spoken with Imam Nick, tried multiple times to set a meeting time, and none was ever proposed. I showed the friend the email chain as well so he knew the full context of what had transpired, and again asked if he could try and set things up between us. He tried and said to me over text that Imam Nick wouldn’t meet with us without providing a reason why. We have tried without success since July to reach him before publishing this article.

Why Is MM Writing A Public Statement?

We support what Imam Nick did for the community and think it’s an absolute shame they let him go. We’ve gone through decades of critique from different organizations, discussion forums, and social media influencers. We ignore all of them because they come and go and we continue to do as we do. Most org leaders I’ve advised privately, I always say, ignore the trolls, don’t feed them.

In this case, we see ourselves as kindred spirits with Imam Nick – fighting child sex abuse (or any sex abuse), fighting the culture of covering it up, fighting the shaming of victims for coming forward, fighting the weaponizing of shari’ah and cultural propriety that has been part of our mission on MuslimMatters – to offer a proper, shari’ah-practicing based perspective to combat these social ills in our community from our faith’s perspective.

From the videos Imam Nick has put out, we understand that he’s gone through a lot of hurt, pain, rejection, ostracizing, and that his family has struggled because he did the right thing, took a principled stand against the system, and the system dragged him and everyone he loves down. We understand that he may be skeptical, wary, and protective of himself, his reputation, and any other concerns he may have that we’re not aware of, and this may be why he has hesitated to set a time with us.

As in the emails, I invite you, Imam Nick, again to meet with our editor-in-chief Hena, Imam Jawad, and myself. We’re happy to answer any questions you have, as well as take recommendations to make things right. As I said in the email, we are absolutely not averse to apologizing, taking anything down, and so on, but let’s meet, get on the same page about what has happened in the past, and how we can move forward not only to between MuslimMatters and yourself, but also so we can continue to fight the good fight against the real problem we have both been calling out.

I say it publicly, transparently, so our community of readers can see what we’ve done, how we’re trying to address it with you, and even hold us to account. May Allah help us reconcile our differences and move forward in a positive manner, ameen.

Final Thoughts

We understand why Imam Nick is upset with the oped published, and irrespective of any further critical responses he may have for us and how our editorial decisions were taken in publishing Imam Jawad’s article in 2018, we remain steadfast in our stance that we stand with Imam Nick, both in what he did back in 2018 as well as now in fighting against child sex abuse and whatever exists in our community that enables it.

We will be happy to answer any questions in the comments below. As always, please keep the discussion / dialogue civil and respectful.

The post MuslimMatters Still Stands With Imam Nick appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Just as a treat, we’ve listed here for you, our MuslimMatters Reader’s Choice most popular articles from the year 2024:

January

1. The Muslim Bookstagram Awards: Meet the 2023 Finalists!

The Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2023: Meet The Finalists!

2. The Death Knell of Academic Freedom and Intellectual Debate at Harvard

The Death Knell of Academic Freedom and Intellectual Debate at Harvard

3. The Muslim Bookstagram Awards: The 2023 Winners!

The Muslim Bookstagram Awards : The 2023 Winners!

February

1. Courtship Stories From The MSA: You Found “The One”

Courtship Stories From The MSA: You Found “The One” In Your MSA [Part 5]

2. Taking Lessons from The Strength of Maryam, Mother of Jesus

Taking Lessons from The Strength of Maryam, Mother of Jesus

3. Over Five Decades On: Bangladesh’s Crisis Of Islam, Politics, And Justice

Over Five Decades On: Bangladesh’s Crisis Of Islam, Politics, And Justice

March

1. Famed American Rapper “Lil Jon” Smith Converts To Islam

Famed American Rapper “Lil Jon” Smith Converts To Islam

2. Behind The Differences In Contemporary Masahif

Behind The Differences In Contemporary Masahif

3. Prominent Social Justice Activist Shaun King Embraces Islam

Prominent Social Justice Activist Shaun King Embraces Islam

April

1. The Origin And Evolution Of The Taraweeh Prayer

The Origin And Evolution Of The Taraweeh Prayer

2. 5 Years Of Studying Emotions In The Quran: A Therapist’s Findings

5 Years Of Studying Emotions In The Quran: A Therapist’s Findings

3. Fourteen Centuries Since Badr: Recalling Islam’s First Decisive Battlefield

Fourteen Centuries Since Badr: Recalling Islam’s First Decisive Battlefield

May

1. Then The Sea Split: Reflections On The Story Of Prophet Musa, Gaza, And Hope

Then The Sea Split: Reflections On The Story Of Prophet Musa, Gaza, And Hope

2. Professor Suspended After Harassing Muslim Woman

Professor Suspended After Harassing Muslim Woman

3. Beyond Repression: Muslim Sexuality On Campus

Beyond Repression: Muslim Sexuality On Campus

June

1. A Less Than Perfect Hajj: Hajj Reflections

A Less Than Perfect Hajj: Hajj Reflections

2. The Things He Would Say – [Part 1] – The Call to Hajj

The Things He Would Say – [Part 1] – The Call to Hajj

3. Podcast [Man2Man]: Hadith and Beyond | Mufti Muntasir Zaman

Podcast [Man2Man]: Hadith and Beyond | Mufti Muntasir Zaman

July

1. Why Your Kids Should Not Be Huffadh

Why Your Kids Should Not Be Huffadh

2. The Things He Would Say – [Part 2] – Dinner Invitation

The Things He Would Say – [Part 2] – Dinner Invitation

3. Podcast: Niqabi Pro Tips Unveiled | Ustadha Marjaan Ali & Ustadha Tuscany Bernier

Podcast: Niqabi Pro Tips Unveiled | Ustadha Marjaan Ali & Ustadha Tuscany Bernier

August

1. Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated By Israel: A Life Dedicated To The Palestinian Cause

Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated By Israel: A Life Dedicated To The Palestinian Cause

2. [Podcast] From The Maldives To Malaysia: A Shaykha’s Story | Shaykha Aisha Hussain Rasheed

[Podcast] From The Maldives To Malaysia: A Shaykha’s Story | Shaykha Aisha Hussain Rasheed

3. The Case For An Institutional Approach To Faith In The Era of Religious Internet Influencers

The Case For An Institutional Approach To Faith In The Era of Religious Internet Influencers

September

1. Missouri Executes Imam Khalifah Marcellus Williams Despite Likely Innocence

Missouri Executes Imam Khalifah Marcellus Williams Despite Likely Innocence

2. Deconstructing Vanity Within The Framework Of Islam

Deconstructing Vanity Within The Framework Of Islam

3. From The Chaplain’s Desk: The Long And Short Of Vaping

From The Chaplain’s Desk: The Long And Short Of Vaping

October

1. Why Mehdi Hasan’s “Lesser Of Two Evils” Election Advice Is Wrong

Why Mehdi Hasan’s “Lesser Of Two Evils” Election Advice Is Wrong

2. Imams Call To “Abandon Harris” As American Election Looms

Imams Call To “Abandon Harris” As American Election Looms

3. Israel Kills Yahya Sinwar: Hamas’ Iron Man Exits The Stage

Israel Kills Yahya Sinwar: Hamas’ Iron Man Exits The Stage

November

1. MuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff

MuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff

2. Statement Against Abuse: The Female Scholars Network

Statement Against Abuse: The Female Scholars Network

3. Ensuring The Safety Of Our Communities: A Call For Immediate Corrective Action From American Muslim Organizations

Ensuring The Safety Of Our Communities: A Call For Immediate Corrective Action From American Muslim Organizations

December

1. Fort Down In A Fortnight: Syrian Insurgents Oust Assad Regime

Fort Down In A Fortnight: Syrian Insurgents Oust Assad Regime

2. Addressing Abuse Amongst Muslims: A Community Call-In & Leadership Directives | The Female Scholars Network

Addressing Abuse Amongst Muslims: A Community Call-In & Leadership Directives | The Female Scholars Network

3. I’ve Converted, And It’s Christmas…

I’ve Converted, And It’s Christmas…

Was there an article(s) you particularly benefitted from, or that you feel deserves a notable mention? Let us know in the comments!

From the entire MuslimMatters team, jazakAllahukhair for your continuous support, and we hope to have you around here more often in 2025 inshaAllah!

Related:

– The MM Recap: MuslimMatters’ Most Popular Ramadan Articles [2024 Edition]

– An MM Recap: Toolkits To Fight Child Sexual Abuse

The post The MM Recap – 2024 Reader’s Choice Articles appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

For many of us, this betrayal feels deeply personal. We are disturbed and profoundly disgusted, as some in our community may have once studied with or respected Sharieff. To now confront the possibility that he may have manipulated his position to cause such harm is revolting and distressing. We stand united in our condemnation of these alleged actions and any other form of abuse, especially when directed toward the vulnerable and innocent. Such actions are not only criminal but a severe violation of the ethical principles we strive to uphold, dictated by the Quran.

MuslimMatters strongly encourages anyone affected by these or similar acts to come forward and report to relevant authorities immediately, and we commit to offering any support necessary. The courage of those who speak out is vital in shining a light on these reprehensible actions, and we honor their bravery in standing up against such evils. The victim’s mother being involved in this abuse makes it especially reprehensible.

Effective immediately, MuslimMatters has severed all association with Wisam Sharieff. He has previously been interviewed on MuslimMatters and we have published transcriptions of his lectures. We are committed to creating a safe, trustworthy, and supportive space for our online community, where abuses of trust are met with zero tolerance. Spiritual abuse, exploitation, and the betrayal of our community’s faith deserve the utmost condemnation, and we pledge to uphold our values of integrity, safety, and accountability.

We urge other organizations in the Muslim community who were closely associated with Sharieff to take a strong stance and consider creating an email or phone hotline for victims.

۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا (١٣٥)

“O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ˹know that˺ Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.” [Surah An-Nisa; 4:135]

May Allah protect the innocent, uplift the oppressed, and grant justice to those who have been wronged.

Resources:

Naseeha: a 24-hour hotline in US and Canada –  +1 (866) 627-3342 

Write to info@muslimmatters.org 

On Preventing Child Abuse

Preventing Child Abuse: What Can You Do?

Information on Mandatory Reporting 

What is mandated reporting, and who is a mandated reporter? Read here for more information.

In Shaykh’s Clothing

In Shaykh’s Clothing is an organization dedicated to helping Muslims understand and recover from spiritual abuse.

Religious/ Spiritual Abuse Toolkit

Religious/Spiritual Abuse Toolkit

Insights into the Psychology of Spiritual Abuse

A paper written by Dr. Rania Awad and Dr. Tabish Riaz on the psychology of spiritual abuse.

Related:

What Do I Do When I Find Out My Favorite Preacher Is Corrupt?

Blurred Lines: Women, “Celebrity” Shaykhs, and Spiritual Abuse

The post MuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

Vote for Candidates Who Support Just Policies

(WASHINGTON, DC – 9/20/2024) The American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force, a coalition of national 501(c)4 political organizations, today called on all American Muslim voters to “turn out in the 2024 election and vote for candidates up-and-down the ballot who support just policies here and abroad, including a presidential candidate who endorses a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on the Israeli government, such as Green Party nominee Dr. Jill Stein, Justice for All nominee Dr. Cornel West or Libertarian Party nominee Chase Oliver.”

Cornell West and Jill Stein

The American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force thanked Dr. Stein, Dr. West, and Mr. Oliver for embracing this principled position. The task force also commended two presidential candidates for choosing the first-ever Muslim vice presidential nominees: Dr. West for nominating Dr. Melina Abdullah, and Dr. Stein for nominating Dr. Butch Ware.

The election task force said that it cannot endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy because of “her refusal to even consider imposing the arms embargo on the Israeli government required by U.S. laws and her failure to promise any other changes whatsoever to President Biden’s failed policy of steadfast financial, diplomatic and military support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”

The task force added, “Softened rhetoric is simply not enough. We warn Vice President Harris that polling shows a significant number of American Muslims and other voters in key swing states will likely not support her candidacy unless she meaningfully changes course on the Gaza genocide.”

The task force also condemned former President Donald Trump and recommended that no American Muslim voters support his candidacy. “President Trump’s latest attempts to inflame racial tension in our nation, from inciting hate against Haitian and Latino migrants to using “Palestinian” as a racist slur, are completely inconsistent with our values. So is his steadfast support for the Israeli government’s genocidal war on Gaza and his threat to crack down on Americans who advocate for Palestine.”

American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force Statement

In a longer announcement today, the American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force said:

Over the past several months, members of the American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force have engaged with each other, the community members we serve, numerous political campaigns, and our friends in other communities to help inform our decision about what voting recommendations to make for the upcoming election.

Making this decision was not easy. When it comes to the 2024 presidential election, every choice comes with its own risks, benefits, and opportunities. Recent community polling has shown that many American Muslims plan to vote for Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein, likely in an attempt to support the candidate with the most ballot access, weaken the two-party system, and register support for anti-genocide candidates. Other American Muslims plan to vote for Vice President Harris to advance various policy issues or help prevent former President Trump from returning to the White House. Some voters have completely different plans or remain undecided.

After extensive consultation, discussion, and deliberation, the American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force has decided to encourage American Muslims to vote for any presidential candidate of their choosing who supports a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a U.S. arms embargo on the Israeli government, such as candidates Dr. Jill Stein, Dr. Cornel West or Chase Oliver. We explain the reasons for this decision in our full statement released today.

Take a Step to Advance Just Policies

(American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force statement continues):

Just as importantly, we are calling on every single eligible American Muslim to exercise their right to vote in the 2024 election. No matter which presidential candidate you ultimately support, you must turn out to vote for candidates who support justice in elections up-and-down the ballot, from city council and school board races to House and Senate races.

The American Muslim community’s political power has grown significantly in recent years, but it must grow further so that we can ensure our own government never enables another crime like the Gaza genocide. Sitting on the sidelines in this election is not an option.

American Muslims have the potential to significantly influence local and national elections by voting strategically. By doing so, they can support candidates who advocate for civil rights, racial equality, religious freedom, rule of law, freedom of speech, and a humane foreign policy. It’s important to remember which candidates supported or opposed local ceasefire resolutions and campus protests when making voting decisions.

On November 5th, American Muslims must take a step forward in our long-term journey to advance just policies for people across our nation and people around the world impacted by our nation’s policies, including our Palestinian brothers and sisters facing genocide in Gaza.

No matter what, vote.

End of task force statement.

Disclaimer: this opinion article does not reflect the views of MuslimMatters, a non-profit organization that does not endorse candidates and welcomes editorials with diverse political perspectives.

The post American Muslim Political Groups Call On Muslim Voters To Support Candidates For Justice appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.

The Muslim Bookstagram Awards (MBA) is an annual celebration of Muslim voices in publishing, from mainstream publishers, Islamic publishers, or authors who self-publish. Hosted by MuslimMatters.org and featuring a panel of well-known Muslimah reviewers from Bookstagram, the MBA takes in nominations before finally judging the entries and announcing the winners on MuslimMatters!

MuslimMatters is proud to host the Muslim Bookstagram Awards.

What is Muslim Bookstagram?

Muslim Bookstagram is the unofficial name for the niche space on Instagram where Muslim book lovers reside! It is a vibrant community of readers, writers, librarians, bookstore owners, and all those who are bookishly inclined.

Book reviews are shared, new and old publications highlighted, and deep discussions about publishing, representation, and storytelling are had. Muslim Bookstagram has become both an amazing space for valuable conversations and a resource for Muslim parents, as well as anyone else interested in diverse, representative literature.

Who are the judges of the MBA 2024?

Amire Hoxha is a Mechanical Drafter by trade and a reader by heart! Her meticulous nature helps her identify quality and assess books. Aside from her online presence, Amire has established, curated and grown her local masjid library for 7 years. Her background in Islamic knowledge has made her an authentic resource for Muslim parents wanting authentic Islamic books. Follow her on Instagram: @muslimkidsbooknook

Shifa Saltagi Safadi is the author of KAREEM BETWEEN (Putnam 2024), the AMINA BANANA chapter book series (Putnam 2025), the picture book THE GIFT OF EID (Holiday House 2025), and indie Muslim published SPELL IT LIKE SAMAR (2019), HEAVEN AT MAMA’S FEET (2021) and PEPPERONI, PITCHES, AND OTHER PROBLEMS (2021). Shifa shares her favorite Muslim books on her online instagram bookblog @muslimmommyblog and is an ELA middle school teacher, so books are basically her whole life! Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago (GO BEARS!) with her husband and four children.

Kirin Nabi is a former Islamic School Librarian who now stewards three little free libraries, and posts about children’s and YA books by Muslim authors or books containing Muslim characters at www.islamicschoollibrarian.com. Find her on Instagram: @islamicschoollibrarian

Zainab bint Younus is a Canadian Muslim woman who writes on Muslim women’s issues, gender-related injustice in the Muslim community, and Muslim women in Islamic history. She also provides in-depth book reviews of Muslamic literature on her Instagram account, covering everything from YA and adult fiction, academic treatises, and Islamic religious literature. You can find her on Instagram (@bintyounus) and support her via Patreon.

Calling all Muslim authors, illustrators, and publishers!

Submissions are restricted to Muslim authors, illustrators, and publishers. If you’ve written, illustrated, or published a Muslim-bookstagram-awards-worthy book, we want to know about it!

Application Requirements:

Written by a Muslim author

A Muslim story: The story must involve clearly Muslim characters and at least some reference to elements of Islam.

Islamically appropriate: The story must not promote beliefs or actions that are clearly prohibited by Islam or go against Islamic values. This does NOT mean that characters don’t experience serious conflicts or go through challenges; it does mean that the final message should not be something that promotes unIslamic beliefs or actions (e.g. shirky beliefs, promoting LBGTQ relationships, praising zina).

Published between January 2024-December 2024

English language: Unfortunately, we do not have the resources or ability to include non-English-language books.

Must be prepared to provide sample pages upon request

Must be prepared to provide complimentary physical copies to all 4 judges

Submit Your Book!

Click here to submit your favorite Muslim publication of 2024 for the Muslim Bookstagram Awards!

Submissions will close on September 15, 2024, and winners will be announced in January 2025! There’s not much time, so hurry to submit your books today!

Support Our Official Sponsor!

Crescent Moon Bookstore is the generous official sponsor of the Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2023 and 2024! CMB carefully curates books, toys, games, stationery, and home decor for every Muslim household. Crescent Moon was created for all of us wanting to make our homes and the world a better place. A portion of all proceeds goes to several different children’s charities around the world for humanitarian aid. Crescent Moon Bookstore has an incredible selection of Muslim books for all ages, with free US shipping over $60.00 and free Canadian shipping over $125!

Related:

Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2021 – What Makes A Winning Story?

Podcast: A Glimpse Into Muslim Bookstagram

The post The Muslim Bookstagram Awards 2024 appeared first on MuslimMatters.org.