Debut
collection by a young Western Sydney poet, focussed on the hijab, and exploring the complexities of growing up
Muslim in Australia
Maryam Azam’s poems take the mysteries
of the hijab as their object of scrutiny. Though shamed and angered by the
prejudice towards Muslims the scarf arouses, Azam is also aware of its sensuality
and allure, and the power and protection it offers. In ‘A
Brief Guide to Hijab Fashion’, ‘Miss Khan Takes off her Hijab’ and ‘Places I’ve
Prayed’, she reflects on the rich possibilities of the scarf, the moral values
it embodies, and the commitment required to maintain these values in a secular society.
In another section, ‘Wallah Bro’, she examines the tensions young Muslims experience
when negotiating the technology of modern dating. Azam’s style is simple and
direct, and informed with humour: it frames as it reveals, showing how ritual confers
dignity on gestures and objects.
