Love in a Headscarf »

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.

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. 

Author's Introduction ix

1 The First Time

Good Headscarf Day 3

Samosas 10

Safura 21

2 Hyphenated

Innocence 31

Kulcha 44

Intertangled 51

3 Process Princess

Biodata 63

Funny Valentine 70

Groundhog Day 75

4 Only Connect

Waiting 85

Plus Ça Change 95

Lightning 105

5 None of the Above

Six Stages of Self-Pity 115

You, Not Me 123

Hijab Marks the Spot 135

6 Semiotic Headscarf

What is It Like Under There? 149

E-veil-uation 158

Anti-repressant 167

7 Love

From a Single Soul, Created in Pairs 173

The Three Ms of Love: Method, Manner, Meaning 192

Quantum Theory 204

8 Multiversal

View from the Shelf 211

Marvelous Mary 228

In My Yin 240

Epilogue: The Beginning 251