The (He)art of a Daughter of Diaspora.
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My debut book “Hajeetek Majeetek: My Grandmother’s North African Folktales” is out!
Latest Updates
January 2024: I got accepted into the House of Amal members’ workshop and I’m currently working on some writing projects! I also completed a fall cohort session with Muslim Youth Musings and published a special piece that you can read here.
December 2023: During my trip to Morocco, I managed to sell some book copies to a family friend who manages a famous hotel called Al Fassia! She is currently displaying the books for hotel guests to buy.
December 2023: I recently visited my family in Morocco. It’s been a wonderful trip and my husband finally got to meet my family there, including my maternal grandparents. We visited the Sahara desert for the first time and explored new and familiar cities.
October 1, 2023: After a 6 year journey, I finally published my first book, “Hajeetek Majeetek: My Grandmother’s North African Folktales”. Stay tuned for a book tour announcement. Buy your copy here!
Alhamdullilah (praise be to God), Rayan and I were wed on March 15, 2019, in Tampa, Florida. I want to share what our take on an intimate, Pinterest-inspired wedding can look like between two Muslims of Moroccan and Kurdish descent. Let’s begin.
I want to share with you the things that shaped me as a child- the sources of inspiration and nostalgia that influenced my art over the years. Here is a reflection of my journey.
I wanted to create a series of portraits featuring my old paintings, but recreated on models through face-paint (thus literally bringing my paintings to life). And so, I hit up my talented photographer friend, Vi Hunyh, and we began our first collaborated project.
I missed the sound of my grandmother’s voice, so I called her one day to catch up.
“Tell me a story, mi-la-la,” I ask on the phone. My grandmother was amused to hear me ask this. Nonetheless, she began the tale…
The creative process can be either smooth or chaotic (guess which one always happens for me). Regardless, it is always rewarding. Follow along as I show you the the steps I go through to create an illustration.
When I was a kid, I didn’t know much about quality art supplies. The most expensive tools I used in my middle school years were Crayola supplies and sharpie markers. I look at my humble collection of art supplies now and realize that I’ve come a long way.
And so, here’s a breakdown of the tools I currently use.
I like to tell visual stories- simple or complex. Personally, I think art can connect with people in ways that nothing else can. Art can change the world. That thought is what keeps me going.