Na'ima B. Robert facts for kids

Na'ima B Robert (born Thando Nomhle McLaren; 19 September 1977) is a popular author who writes books for different cultures. She also started SISTERS Magazine, a magazine for Muslim women in the UK. Na'ima was born in Leeds, England. Her father was from Scotland, and her mother was from the Zulu people in South Africa. She grew up in Zimbabwe and later went to university in England. In 1998, she became a Muslim. Today, Na'ima lives in both London and Cairo with her three daughters and two sons. Her husband, Henry Amankwah, passed away in April 2015.

Na'ima's Early Life

When Na'ima was two years old, her family moved from England to Ethiopia. Four years later, they moved again to Zimbabwe. This is where Na'ima went to primary school. She had a normal childhood with her younger brother and sister in Harare, the capital city.

Her parents made sure she learned about Zimbabwean culture. They also taught their children about their South African family roots. Na'ima's father, Robert McLaren, was a senior teacher at the University of Zimbabwe. Her mother, Thembi McLaren, was a businesswoman. After finishing high school in Zimbabwe, Na'ima went back to England for university. She earned a top degree from the University of London.

Her Journey to Islam

While studying at university, Na'ima traveled to Egypt. She was a musician and singer, playing traditional Zimbabwean music at a festival. At first, she was surprised by the Muslim women wearing the hijab (a head covering). She asked a beautiful Egyptian woman why she would cover her beauty. The woman replied, "Because I want to be judged for what I say and what I do, not for what I look like."

This made Na'ima think about her own life. She thought about how she saw herself and how she wanted to grow. When she returned to London, Na'ima started reading the Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. She learned about Islam and its laws. She also decided to try "dressing modestly."

During the Christmas holidays that year, Na'ima traveled to Guinea in "Muslim Africa." She felt a strong connection there. She said, "As someone still deeply connected to Black culture, these Muslims appealed to my own African identity and my sense of Black pride." In Guinea, Na'ima began to pray five times a day, as Muslims do. She also fasted during Ramadan. When she returned to London in 1998, she made her shahada, which is the declaration of Islamic faith.

Na'ima's Writing Career

After teaching in schools and even starting a private home school, Na'ima began writing. She focused on creating picture books for children with Muslim themes. Her first picture book, The Swirling Hijab, was chosen for a special reading program called Booktrust.

Na'ima's picture books and young adult novels are popular with many different groups. They are used in schools and for learning about different cultures. Muslims also recognize them as important Islamic fiction. So far, she has published thirteen picture books for children. Many of these books are available in two languages and are printed in up to 31 languages! These include Tamil, Kurdish, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, Yoruba, Czech, Arabic, Polish, Chinese, Urdu, Panjabi, French, Swahili, and Farisi. Her book Journey Through Islamic Arts won an award from the National Literacy Trust in the UK for being one of the best children's titles.

After her autobiography, From My Sisters' Lips, was successful, Na'ima started writing young adult fiction (YA) for teens. Her first YA novel, From Somalia, With Love, was inspired by a trip with young people from Somalia. This book is one of the few novels that features Somali Muslim characters and stories. It was part of the World Book Day school's pack in 2009. It was also considered for the United Kingdom Literacy Association Award.

Na'ima's second YA novel, Boy vs. Girl, challenges common ideas about young Muslims in Britain. It even features a character inspired by the urban Islamic graffiti artist Muhammed 'Aerosol Arabic' Ali. Her third YA book, Far From Home, is a historical novel set in Zimbabwe. It was featured at the 2011 Pop-Up Festival of Stories in London.

In February 2021, Na'ima wrote and published 'Show Up'. This book is her personal story, reflecting on her life journey. It includes quotes from the Qur'an, Hadith, and modern thinkers.

Wearing the Niqāb

Na'ima Robert fully observes the niqāb, which is an Islamic face-veil. She strongly supports women's right to choose to cover their faces completely. She started wearing the niqāb full-time in 1999, soon after becoming Muslim in 1998.

In her memoir, From My Sisters' Lips, Na'ima explained how wearing the niqāb affects her. She wrote that a covered woman "cannot be judged on her appearance because nothing personal about her can be seen...She does not feel the need to live up to society's changing expectations of women's bodies...So whoever relates to her must relate to what she has presented – be it what she says, does or thinks."

Na'ima is one of the people who started Veiled Justice. She has also represented the East London Mosque on issues important to Muslim women. She has spoken in favor of the niqāb in many British media outlets. These include The Telegraph, BBC News, The Times Online, BBC Radio 4's The Moral Maze, and Channel 4's Undercover Mosque series. She has also spoken to Muslim and international media, like Islam Channel and AIM TV.

Na'ima's young adult novel Boy vs. Girl includes a character named Auntie Najma, who wears the niqāb. Some people have criticized Auntie Najma as being unrealistic. Others have praised her as a positive role model for Muslim youth. Na'ima has said that Auntie Najma, like her other characters, is a mix of real sisters she knows personally.