Salam,
The intentions behind this zine project was to put together a resource, a guide, a something for Muslim to talk to other Muslim women about sex and sexuality. And not sex in a simple how-to sex guide but a resource which explores how we connect these issues with our faith. How we share our stories of struggle and acceptance, how we challenge the way we see and speak to ourselves (and each other) when it comes to sex. Whilst working on this project, I had this real moment of sheer terror and panic when I realised that there was so much to cover when talking about sex.
But this project is nothing more than an invitation to start the conversation and a promise to continue it as we grow. I want to thank Heiba for reminding me that this is just the start. That this is issue one. Literally.
In fact, the most powerful thing this zine project gave me was the permission to ask more questions and to invite more intimate conversations with all those around me, from friends, sisters, mothers and grandmothers, around this topic. And whilst this zine only captures a fragment of these conversations, I am glad that I was able to draw my circle of friends a little closer and a little wider. If that’s something it can also do for you - even just a little bit - then alhamdulillah.
This zine couldn’t have been possible without the love, talents and generosity of so many amazing women who shared their stories and their creativity. I want to thank Sofi for telling me to go and do this thing already; Rose for her enthusiasm very early on; Heiba for her encouragement when the scale of the challenge got daunting; Abeera for holding and sewing together this work so beautifully; Saffa for the beautiful cover and Shaheen for her constant support and guidance on this entire project and helping me navigate this new space with kindness and consideration. Thanks to my two sisters Sumaiya and Sana for their constant help and honesty; and thanks to my mother, my dear aunty Sarah and my grandmother. A final thank you to my partner for his kindness, always.
This zine project is the product of many late night conversations and also a snapshot into a very particular moment that we are sharing with each other right now.
May it be received in the same intentions it was made.
Arwa Aburawa
