2021 Daybreak Press Book Award Winner
DESIRING LIGHT:
POEMS & REFLECTIONS BY AMEERA ASLAM
This debut collection of poems by Ameera Aslam reflects the spiritual struggles and sweetness of a 21st century Muslim seeker. Deeply observant with a clear voice, her poems will make you pause, reflect and say, “Hey, I’m not the only one who feels this way, I feel this too!”
Humairah Jamil, Author “Homebound”, Singapore
2021 Daybreak Press Book Award Winner
DESIRING LIGHT:
POEMS & REFLECTIONS BY AMEERA ASLAM
This debut collection of poems by Ameera Begum reflects the spiritual struggles and sweetness of a 21st century Muslim seeker. Deeply observant with a clear voice, her poems will make you pause, reflect and say, “Hey, I’m not the only one who feels this way, I feel this too!”
Humairah Jamil, Author “Homebound”, Singapore
ABOUT THE BOOK
Desiring Light is Ameera Aslam’s first collection of poetry & prose. They are about traversing the spiritual path in modern times, grief, hope and God’s Overflowing Mercy.
“The outward tranquility of those who are seeking a spiritual path is something that many wish they could also embrace. But this tranquility does not tell the inner struggles that take place because the spiritual seekers do their work on the inside. Ameera Aslam’s poems reflect this journey.”
– Humera Khan An-Nisa Society, London
“I may not always get it right, in fact, I’m pretty sure most times I get it very very wrong, but I can say without a doubt, that having a spiritual guide made all the difference in my life. If you are without one, a guide, a teacher or a mentor, you must find one.”
Ameera
April 2020
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ameera Aslam is a writer, poet, editor and activist. Her work has appeared in Karyawan, Ramadan.sg, Muslim.sg, IslamicEvents.sg, Masjid Khalid, Darul Arqam, SimplyIslam.sg, Rumi Center, Masjid En-Naeem, and more. She edits, translates and proofreads for Nusantara Books, Wasila Press, Karyawan, and others. She was the Founding Editor of MuzlimBuzz.sg, a popular online Muslim magazine. Her activism includes speaking out against domestic violence and supporting domestic violence survivors, and raising awareness and funds for migrant workers in Singapore (#SGMuslims4MigrantWorkers).
TESTIMONIALS
Reading Ameera’s poems felt like a slap but also overwhelming because I could relate to everything she wrote. At times, I had to skip over certain paragraphs because the emotions were too real, the thoughts too alike, and the pain too raw. An inspiring read for anyone wayfaring to God.
Fadhilah Wahid, Author (Light Upon Light, Nearness to You)/ Social Media Influencer, Singapore
Wonderfully penned, from deep inside the heart. Poetry has always been a great outlet to express ideas, interpret feelings and being absolutely honest at the best way it can be. To keep spiritual seeking relevant is a challenge for this generation. Perhaps many could connect to whatever Ameera is writing.
Ustaz Zahid Zin, Scholar/Community Leader, Muslim Youth Forum/Diary Tok Kadi, Singapore
The most powerful form of poetry, for me, is one that you are able to find comfort in, relate to, and seek answers from. Ameera’s poetry serves on all three fronts, and more.
Reading her words is like having a gentle friend by your side, an ally who is also striving in the same path that you are on – a path that is long and unpredictable, but a path that is also filled with beauty. This path is the path back to Allah, and Ameera has so generously invited us on this journey with her through this book.
Aida Azlin, Writer/Social Media Influencer, Singapore/Morocco
Ameera Aslam’s first book of poetry is an honest, earnest and uplfiting reflection of a young Muslim woman of color’s evolving journey and struggles with faith, spiritual longing, community and identity. It will resonate with all seekers hoping to find the Divine in the ordinary.
Wajahat Ali, journalist, writer, lawyer, an award-winning playwright, a TV host, and a consultant for the U.S. State Department, United States (wajali.com)
Touching. Ameera’s poems arouse the readers’ emotions – gratitude, contemplation, hope and true love for Al-Haqq & As-Sadiqul Masduq.
Ustaz Mazdiuky, Scholar/Author/Publisher, Nusantara Books, Singapore
A believer is a mirror to another believer. Sister Ameera’s poetry mirrored many of my reflections and struggles as a seeker. Reading Sister Ameera’s poetry reminded me of the importance of keeping sincerity in this journey of seeking Allah swt. Thank you for keeping it real!
Ustaz Muhsin Hamzah, Scholar/Community Leader, Being Centre, Singapore
TESTIMONIALS
Reading Ameera’s poems felt like a slap but also overwhelming because I could relate to everything she wrote. At times, I had to skip over certain paragraphs because the emotions were too real, the thoughts too alike, and the pain too raw. An inspiring read for anyone wayfaring to God.
Fadhilah Wahid, Author (Light Upon Light, Nearness to You)/ Social Media Influencer, Singapore
Wonderfully penned, from deep inside the heart. Poetry has always been a great outlet to express ideas, interpret feelings and being absolutely honest at the best way it can be. To keep spiritual seeking relevant is a challenge for this generation. Perhaps many could connect to whatever Ameera is writing.
Ustaz Zahid Zin, Scholar/Community Leader, Muslim Youth Forum/Diary Tok Kadi, Singapore
The most powerful form of poetry, for me, is one that you are able to find comfort in, relate to, and seek answers from. Ameera’s poetry serves on all three fronts, and more.
Reading her words is like having a gentle friend by your side, an ally who is also striving in the same path that you are on – a path that is long and unpredictable, but a path that is also filled with beauty. This path is the path back to Allah, and Ameera has so generously invited us on this journey with her through this book.
Aida Azlin, Writer/Social Media Influencer, Singapore/Morocco
Ameera Aslam’s first book of poetry is an honest, earnest and uplfiting reflection of a young Muslim woman of color’s evolving journey and struggles with faith, spiritual longing, community and identity. It will resonate with all seekers hoping to find the Divine in the ordinary.
Wajahat Ali, journalist, writer, lawyer, an award-winning playwright, a TV host, and a consultant for the U.S. State Department, United States (wajali.com)
Touching. Ameera’s poems arouse the readers’ emotions – gratitude, contemplation, hope and true love for Al-Haqq & As-Sadiqul Masduq.
Ustaz Mazdiuky, Scholar/Author/Publisher, Nusantara Books, Singapore
A believer is a mirror to another believer. Sister Ameera’s poetry mirrored many of my reflections and struggles as a seeker. Reading Sister Ameera’s poetry reminded me of the importance of keeping sincerity in this journey of seeking Allah swt. Thank you for keeping it real!
Ustaz Muhsin Hamzah, Scholar/Community Leader, Being Centre, Singapore
“We need to separate success/failure through the lens of things going right/wrong. Success/failure is only in Allah’s Pleasure and Grand Plan. And sometimes in His Grand Plan, things just need to unravel (in our eyes) while they fall into place (in His Eyes).”
Ameera
April 2020