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readwithmeemz's review against another edition
4.0
This was a powerful and beautiful anthology of poetry and prose, exploring multifaceted ideas of Islam, identity, and what it means to be Muslim, by Muslim women, queer, trans, and genderqueer Muslims.
The book was split into 5 sections, each representing a pillar of Islam, and the poems in each section were curated to fit together, or to reference or pay homage to that pillar. I didn’t always understand why certain poems were placed in certain sections over others, but it didn’t really distract or detract from the overall theme, or my overall enjoyment of the book.
As with any anthology, you’ll like some poems more than others, and some styles will work better for you than others. However, overall, this collection was thematically strong, well written, and really powerful. I got a lot out of my reading experience, and adored many of the poems, or excerpts from the poems within this anthology. I felt so seen, in so many ways. I read this as an ebook I borrowed from my library, and I found myself taking so many screenshots, to remind me of powerful passages, poems, and themes.
This was a powerful exploration of faith, culture, and identity, that I think many Muslims (& non-Muslims) will enjoy reading, especially with the inclusion of words from some heavy hitting poets and writers, like Fatimah Asghar, Kaveh Akbar, Fariha Róisín, Safia Elhillo, and more. This was beautiful and impactful, and vulnerable and bold.
The book was split into 5 sections, each representing a pillar of Islam, and the poems in each section were curated to fit together, or to reference or pay homage to that pillar. I didn’t always understand why certain poems were placed in certain sections over others, but it didn’t really distract or detract from the overall theme, or my overall enjoyment of the book.
As with any anthology, you’ll like some poems more than others, and some styles will work better for you than others. However, overall, this collection was thematically strong, well written, and really powerful. I got a lot out of my reading experience, and adored many of the poems, or excerpts from the poems within this anthology. I felt so seen, in so many ways. I read this as an ebook I borrowed from my library, and I found myself taking so many screenshots, to remind me of powerful passages, poems, and themes.
This was a powerful exploration of faith, culture, and identity, that I think many Muslims (& non-Muslims) will enjoy reading, especially with the inclusion of words from some heavy hitting poets and writers, like Fatimah Asghar, Kaveh Akbar, Fariha Róisín, Safia Elhillo, and more. This was beautiful and impactful, and vulnerable and bold.
ensara's review against another edition
0.5
ridiculous redonkulos. there was three “okay” poems, but an embarrassment of a book Astagfirullah.
bubblyebs's review against another edition
4.0
Very nice variety of styles of poetry that you get to glimpse because of the variety of poets and authors. A good reminder that there are so many realities for people and grouping and over generalizing can be dangerous.
nuhafariha's review against another edition
5.0
As a Muslim American who has questions about my faith, my cultural background and my society, this book is an amazing reprieve. It feels like being welcomed by a form of Islam that I wish I had when I was younger. An Islam that welcomes queer, questioning, non heterosexual, non cis gendered bodies. It was very healing.
zain832's review against another edition
5.0
Solace for the invisible Muslim or the best writing workshop ever for young thinkers, Halal If You Hear Me is the third in the fantastic BreakBeat Poets series determined to put forth the sharpest, most modern writing from a breathtaking and diverse spectrum of talented intersectional brown and black writers.
readwithshaazia's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Ramadan read and I'm so glad. I laughed and I cried and I learned so much.