Books

Praise for Hijab and Red Lipstick

“A powerful and beautifully written novel which unabashedly addresses the reality of life as a young, Muslim woman in a conservative family. Fast and well paced, the book touches on issues of misogyny, sexual harassment, domestic violence, expectation, identity and culture, never shying away from its nuances.”

-Alya Mooro, bestselling author of The Greater Freedom

“Hijab and Red Lipstick is the story of a teenager who braves her family’s oppression and a society that forbids her from forging her own path. Her powerful story echoes the stories of many Arab and Muslim women fighting to break free from the shackles of patriarchy.”

-Dalal Mawad, award-winning journalist and author of All She Lost

“Imran tells an empowering tale of self-discovery.”

-Hafsa Lodi, Author of Modesty: A Fashion Paradox

“I couldn’t put it down until it was over. It’s been a long time since I read an Arab experience so authentic, honest and raw.”

- Eman AlNafjan, Saudi women’s rights activist

“Imran alchemises her experiences by birthing Hijab and Red Lipstick through trauma, and offering a space of hope and healing for herself and other survivors.”

- The New Arab

About Hijab and Red Lipstick

Being a teenager isn't easy. And it doesn't help when you have a mega strict Egyptian dad who tells you that everything is "haram" a.k.a. forbidden. All Sara wants to do is experiment with makeup, listen to the latest Destiny's Child single and read fashion magazines, but her dad's conservative interpretation of Islam makes it impossible. Things get even harder when her dad lands himself a job in the Arabian Gulf and moves Sara and her family to a country where the patriarchy rules supreme. In a country where you have to have your father's permission for everything, every door feels like it is being closed on Sara's future. In a desperate bid for freedom, Sara makes a judgement call that threatens to ruin their dysfunctional father-daughter relationship forever.