Through young Samra’s eyes we don’t need to know why Ahmadis are persecuted, only that they are, which is unacceptable. The writer does tell us some things about the religion itself, but her remarks are always brief and leave something to be desired - but intentionally. I had never heard of this branch of Islam (I am still far too ignorant) and had no idea of the weight people of this faith carry with them every day in places such as Pakistan. Samra had a fairly common childhood, were it not for the prejudice she and her family endured for being Ahmadi Muslims. She has gone through so much in her life and we should all definitely hear stories from people who, like Samra, have spent their lives chasing who they are and battling against hurdles that have been thrown at them. Samra Habib’s story is an important and impactful one. All thoughts are my own and have not been affected by this. Samra begins an exploration of herself through art, sexuality, religion, and faith.ĭisclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. There, she felt conflicted between following her family’s plan for her of marrying as a teen or pursuing higher education. When her family decides to leave Pakistan to Canada for a fear of being executed or tortured, Samra finds a whole new world. Living in a world in which her family was persecuted for their religious beliefs and constantly having her fate laid out before her for being a woman stuck with her as she grew up. Samra Habib was raised as an Ahmadi Muslim in Lahore, Pakistan. Title: We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir
And I am glad I got the chance to read it. This memoir written by Samra Habib, a queer Pakistani-Canadian woman, falls very clearly into this category. 2019 is the year of me reading more memoirs, especially those written by people like me.
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