Loin de Medine [French]

Far from Medina is an absolutely unique book. Picking up where the reputed historians of the time left off, Djebar fills out the female characters in the first community of Islam and in the stories of the Qu'ran. Through her imaginative and soulful writing, important female figures like Fatima, Aisha and Hajar are given voices. The fact that this text stays close to the historical events that are accounted adds to the meaningfulness of the work. The dimensions of these remarkable women are fleshed out in some of the most important moments of Islamic lore. This is especially valuable for women who are exploring Islam - or for that matter - anyone interested in the feminine side of Islam. I don't know a book out there that is like this one - and it seems quite unique compared to Djebar's other work. I waited forever to get my hands on another copy. You can usually obtain this book through university libraries.

Djebar has artfully created a uniquely Islamic "ecriture feminine" that revises and revisits early Islamic herstory. Far from Medina was recently adapted as an opera in Europe with Djebar writing the libretto; unfortunately they had a difficult time casting due to Rushdie-esque fears of fundamentalist reprisals.