I know this isn’t political and so might not interest your readers but I thought I’d share a positive experience. You need to know a little about me to see why I am excited, and why I am on my computer writing every day - sometimes for 8 hours a day. I came to England as a teenager and I didn’t understand the education system. My family was broken, dysfunctional.

I didn’t know what was going on except that my parents left me in Arabia while they got settled in England, and then flew me over years later. My school days were a battle as I didn’t know English; I couldn’t read, write or speak. Once, I sat an exam not even knowing it was an exam! It was that bad.

In my final year my tutors asked me what I wanted to be. My English still wasn’t good enough understand their questions, but a friend interpreted for me and I replied, “A writer, an artist, a designer, and businessman.” I was laughed at, and still remember the expression of my tutors today.

Years later, I saw an article about authors and how writing can play a major role in educating, inspiring and showing the true colours of Islam. I also read an article about a Muslim writing competition, but noticed I had missed the deadline.

Even though the deadline had passed, those articles had made an impact on me and I emailed the organisers of the competition to see if I can get a mentor but I received no reply. Now, part of me wanted to give up but like I said, the articles had an impact on me.

So I began my journey, creating ideas. I watched video after video on how to write books. I travelled around UK to join workshops. I sat with other writers and authors, and I began to write.

I wrote about a teenager that lost his identity and how he struggles, and finds no help from his parents or the mosque until he meets a mentor. Many issues that teenagers face are in the novel, but also the solution. I did this so the Muslim youths don’t lose hope - there is a way and an answer, a creative answer.

Not all of us live in deserts. Many live in urban cities and we face other challenges. One of them is poverty of the mind.

The amazing part is I created a website putting my work online, one chapter at a time. I first showed how I planned it, how I was going to do it, and then began writing online. And that’s when it happened: I started receiving emails from Muslim youths all over the world.

I kept writing and when I finished, I asked the youths and anyone else if they’d like to proof read my novel and help me to correct my grammar to THEIR book. I say their book because I am writing about them, the Muslim teenagers. I finished the novel in 5 days and at this moment; Muslim teenagers – and adults too – are proof reading the final chapters, as we speak.

Since I originally read about the writing competition on MPACUK, I've finished four novels and am working on two more. By the end of this year, I would have written 12 novels in total.

I write for up to 8 hours a day, usually late at night after I’ve finished work (my own business). Consistency is a vital element to writing because it gets you to be proficient. It helps to also be creative.

Since I started, I can’t stop. It’s like the ideas just keep coming. So, I thank you for the article. That article got me thinking, as well as the point of ‘the power of the pen.’ I will let you know Insha-Allah, about the books when they are published in a few months and with a redesigned website too.

It was a pity I couldn’t find a Muslim mentor who is a professional author and it was a pity I cannot find Muslim agents for authors like myself. And I wonder if other Muslim authors face such challenges? There is only one remedy I found – faith, consistent action and leading the way.

My salaam and my love to our Ummah. And peace to all.

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