An insight about the book 'Refuge' with Sajla Anees
"Refuge is a compelling story of love, faith, hope and perseverance in the war-torn Syria."
Poetic and audacious for someone as young as her, Sajla Anees swept thousands of feet by having created the book as a form of hope and sheer magic.
Ms. Anees is a Sri Lankan based Attorney-at-Law and a Published Author. Her writing experience was fueled by poems, prose and people around her dating back to her childhood from being a student at Methodist College to a student at the Sri Lanka Law College. Initially she started writing a few paragraphs in her college days and she takes the footsteps of her favourite authors by bringing this story to life. She feels relieved because she wanted to publish this book before death overtakes her.
"Alhamdulillah because I wanted to be an author ever since I was a child and I am happy I could pursue It." quotes Sajla.
As Sajla passes her life with 'rain, coffee and books', she had a very supportive family and helpful friends who were excited in her venture. In the process she learnt that people who love her are supportive and selfless; some of them helped her in ways that she never thought they would.
Writing a character isn't easy because you have to bring your imagination to life. There is a variety of goodness when it comes to a person's personality and one of them is Ahmar. As she sits at her desk penning down Noora's point of view, she edits the chapters 4 to 5 times until there are no grammar mistakes and she is satisfied with them. 'Sajla feels happy reading reviews and feedback on her novel, poems and prose.'
"The mantra I followed was, I had to keep reminding myself that the book isn't about me but it is someone else's voice that is to be heard by others and that kept me writing 'Refuge'." (Sajla Anees)
A review:
"Gripping and emotional. A poignant reminder that bolts of lightning light up the darkest of skies even during the most vicious of thunderstorms" (Maseeha Saloojee, South African Aid Worker, teaching in Syria)
Alhamdulillah! Sajla has got all good comments and a few negative ones which she disregards in a beautiful way with the help of God. "When you do something for the sake of God then you shouldn't worry much about what people have to say" says Anees.
We encounter self doubts and hardships, Alhamdulillah Sajla has her close friends to talk with and help her. One advice she would like to share is that 'not everyone will like what you write, if it's meant to reach their hearts, it will.' Making Du'a has always been her "go-to" coping mechanism.
Sajla is reluctant to collaborate with other authors because she feels she wouldn't be able to give her best. A new book wouldn't be coming soon because Sajla hasn't found any inspiring topic yet.
Anees likes working according to a routine and in her monthly plan she had set goals on word limits for each day. A writing quirk of hers is that she thought about her characters even when she wasn't writing.
"Writers are permanently depressed, they're not! (A Writing myth by Sajla)
I met Sister Sajla at Sakeenah Institute, my workplace where she had come to deliver a spiritual lecture and I love her level of faith in God, she inspires people to follow the religion. The way she talks and the way she carries herself wherever she is, adds essence to her whole presence in this world.
When the world sends Prayers, Aids and Support to Syria, Sister Sajla supports them by publishing this fiction to bring awareness of the hardships undergone in the war-torn country and it is a matter that has to be spoken of. Sajla beautifully quotes "And will we not be held accountable in the court of Allah if we do nothing for our brothers and sisters who are being oppressed?" Ms.Sajla Anees wishes to express the central message of finding hope no matter how trying the situation is.
Finally, she conveys that "never allow negativity affect your passion. Keep going with sincere intentions!"
'And, if I ever find out that this was all worth the pain, on the day I hold his hand and walk towards my Lord, I'll tell him "if I knew this was the reward, I'd go through it again-all over again." (Refuge, Sajla Anees)
Glossary:
Refuge: The title of the book written by Sajla Anees.
Methodist College: A school in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Alhamdulillah: All praise is to Allah.
Ahmar: Male protagonist of 'Refuge'.
Noora: Female protagonist of 'Refuge'.
Du'a: Supplicating to Lord.
Sakeenah Institute: An Islamic institute based in Sri Lanka.
Sajla Anees-
sajla.anees (Instagram)
Mr.Jeremy Muller- Jam Fruit Tree Publications (Sri Lanka)
M.M- her.moonlit.words (Instagram)
Photography- Z Cader