Thursday, September 10, 2009 – By Joshunda Sanders – statesman.com
Eight years later, I was intrigued to read about Austin writer Shaila Abdullah’s book, “Saffron Dreams,” the compelling tale of Arissa, a Pakistani writer and artist who is widowed when her husband, Faizan, who works at Windows on the World, dies during the 9/11 attacks. “We were homesick individuals in an adopted homeland,” she writes. “We can’t break free from our origin, and yet we wanted to soar. The tension in our hearts left us suspended in mid-air.”
I read the book right after I saw the Pew Forum’s report about Americans’ perception that Muslims are still the most discriminated against religious group in the country. The novel came out in February and made the local bestseller list in the spring. I spoke with Shaila (pronounced Shella) Abdullah, 36, who is also a freelance designer and mom to 5-year-old Anya, on the phone this morning.
Read Shaila Abdullah’s interview at the source: http://www.statesman.com
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