Yatin Gour
Yatin Gour
MUEZZA AND BABY JAAN: STORIES FROM THE QURAN by Anita Nair Puffin Books, 2018, 168 pp., 699
November 2019, volume 43, No 11

Anita Nair’s Muezza and Baby Jaan portrays the enchanting mythology of the Quran and attempts to reveal the more accurate interpretation of it, which differs from the present status quo. It consists of 28 stories and vivid artwork, which will appeal to children, steering out of her general domain of adult fiction which asserts her role as a contemporary and versatile writer.

The book does more than tell tales, It attempts to change the current perception with which people view Islam. During her work on Idris: Keeper of the Light, Anita Nair studied the Quran and tried to understand its lessons and associated fables. Around the same time, the Westgate Mall shooting took place in Nairobi in which terrorists segregated Muslims from non-Muslims by asking the name of Prophet’s mother. She told The Hindu that ‘People including children know the names of Ravana’s brothers or that Mary is the mother of Jesus but not who Prophet’s mother was.’ Her belief is that change in perception begins with educating the next generation.

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