Love in a Headscarf

When Shelina Janmohamed, an Oxford-educated Muslim living in the bubbling ethnic mix of North London, opted for the traditional "arranged" route to finding a partner, she never suspected it would be the journey of her life. Through ten long years of matchmaking buxom aunties, countless mismatches, and outrageous dating disasters, Shelina discovers more about herself and her faith. Along the way, she learns that sometimes being true to her religion means challenging tradition, while readers learn much about Islam that may surprise them.

Shelina Zahra Janmohamed is an influential commentator on British Islam: a columnist for EMEL magazine, a regular contributor to the Guardian and the BBC, and author of the award-­winning blog, Spirit21. Named one of the UK’s hundred most influential Muslim women by the Times of London, Janmohamed lives in London.

Author’s Introduction

One: The First Time
Good Headscarf Day
Samosas
Safura

Two: Hyphenated
Innocence
Kulcha
Intertangled

Three: Process Princess
Biodata
Funny Valentine
Groundhog Day

Four: Only Connect
Waiting
Plus Ça Change
Lightning

Five: None of the Above
Six Stages of Self-Pity
You, Not Me
Hijab Marks the Spot

Six: Semiotic Headscarf
What Is It Like Under There?
E-veil-uation
Anti-repressant

Seven: Love
From a Single Soul, Created in Pairs
The Three Ms of Love: Method, Manner, Meaning
Quantum Theory

Eight: Multiversal
View from the Shelf
Marvelous Mary
In My Yin

Epilogue: The Beginning