Salaam, with Love (Underlined)

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We may know that by going through with her. She will be with her cousins on summer, where it was timed with the holy month Ramadan, they are religious and she did not see them in years, so she's a bit anxious. We are going to stay at your uncle Yusuf’s for Ramadan,” Mom repeated, slowly this time, enunciating each syllable. “Now, please, be happy; we haven’t seen them in years.” This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary novel follows 17 year-old Dua Sheikh, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love. I also adore Haya’s character. She’s a great foil for Dua in many ways, very sure of herself and her faith, outspoken, yet incredibly humble and supportive as a friend. Haya is actually one of the first characters I came up with! This is your debut novel! Can you tell us what the the publishing journey was like for you?

All people have the custom of greeting one another, and every group has its own distinctive greeting that distinguishes them from other people. The on-gain-off-again engaged couple do touch hands at Eid prayer. Hassan touches Duas arm when she is perceived as helpless. There are anti Islam protests and an angry man shoots Adam.Salaam, with Love is about self-love, loving other people, and loving God. My main character, Dua, has a lot of insecurities around feeling like she’s not a “good enough” Muslim. No one really behaves in a way that gives her that impression, but she views life and others through that lens. Throughout the course of the novel, she learns more about Islam and its place in her life, and through her faith she also connects with her family and gains the courage to pursue her own dreams. She’s a talented musician, but an average girl – and she’s supposed to be. Dua could be your neighbor, classmate, or friend. Where did the inspiration for Salaam, with Love come from? After just a month, Dua is surprised to find that she’s learning a lot more than she bargained for about her faith, relationships, her place in the world—and cute drummers. . . .

Salaam, With Love" by Sara Sharaf Beg is a YA upcoming release - & made me feel more conflicted over a Muslamic YA book than I ever have before! The best advice I have received is just to keep writing and to tell the story you want to tell, and trust it will find its audience. This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love. Whatever, you liked it or not, it was umm simple, quite great introduction to me for the Pakistanis and their food and dresses and thoughts, we may be alike though, I loved them, their warmth, A] love letter to Islam, capturing all the wonderful nuances of faith and culture."--AdibaJaigirdar, author of Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake DatingIt’s not that there’s something wrong with your friends now,” Dad said softly, almost desperate that I not take his words the wrong way, “but you’ll see, it’s a little different. You actually belong, unified in a group by our love of God.” Salaam, with Love is a beautiful and heartwarming story about family, faith, and love. It is a love letter to Islam, capturing all the wonderful nuances of faith and culture.”–AdibaJaigirdar, author of Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating

When Islam came, Allah prescribed that the manner of greeting among Muslims should be Al-salamu ‘alaykum, and that this greeting should only be used among Muslims and not for other nations.A huge plot of the book is the band, Sheikh, Rattle, and Roll, but the details about it are terrible. Mahnoor is walking out the door and her mom tells her to take Dua. The reader doesn't know where they are going, but Mahnoor reluctantly agrees and they head out on the subway. Mahnoor constantly is telling Dua to hurry so they aren't late and miss it, when they arrive, the band performs one song and that is when Hassan and Dua and Haya all meet. But the other two band members are her cousins, she is staying in their house. What? Rabia is constantly talking, that is her character quirk, how does Dua not know that they are performing? Not know they are in a band? No way would it not be mentioned. And why only one song? That is so random. At the end when they perform again on Eid, it is a concert, it is again only one song. A concert is not one song. Do they not practice or load up equipment, how is all this going on in one house and Dua is so clueless? Another goal I have is to find a better balance between spending time with family and writing. Because I spend most of my day in counseling sessions, evenings are for writing – and family time, and I struggle with guilt over not spending time with my family while also not devoting enough time to my writing. When did you first discover your love for writing? Hi! I’m a second-generation Pakistani-American Muslim, born to immigrants from Karachi, Pakistan. Although I was born in Orlando, I’ve lived in multiple states – including New York, New Jersey, Florida, Washington, Michigan, and now Texas. I have a B.A in Radio/Television from the University of Central Florida and worked as a freelance writer for a few years after graduating. In 2020, I graduated with my M.A in Counseling from Northwestern University, and I currently work as an outpatient mental health counselor primarily treating individuals presenting with anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have always been interested in people’s inner experiences and why we do the things we do, a curiosity that serves me well both as a writer and as a mental health counselor. Welcome to 2022! What are you hoping for the year and do you set any goals or resolutions? b>This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love.

"Beg beautifully crafts a comforting tale filled with fun characters and excellent Muslim representation.”--Aamna Qureshi, author of The Lady or the Lion

"[A] love letter to Islam, capturing all the wonderful nuances of faith and culture."--Adiba Jaigirdar, author of Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating

Being crammed into a house in Queens with her cousins is not how Dua envisions her trip to New York City. But here she is, spending the holy month of Ramadan with extended family she hasn’t seen in years.

Dua struggles to find her place in the conservative household and to connect with her aloof, engaged-to-be-married cousin, Mahnoor. And as if fasting the whole day wasn’t tiring