Young Muslim Writers Awards Anthology 2021 by Young Muslim Writers Awards

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ASSAL AMU AL AIKUM Assalamu alaikum, Earlier this year we invited young writers across the UK to put pen to paper for the 11th annual Young Muslim Writers Awards competition. Entries poured in from teachers, parents, siblings, friends, community organisers and the young writers themselves. Their entries spoke of astronauts lost in space and life on Mars, of shadows in the dark and a stolen compass, of a boy who hacked his school computer and another who ate the world’s spiciest lasagne! Some were fantasy, whilst others shone a light on very real-world problems such as the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. Five entries were shortlisted in each category and put before a panel of judges to select the winner from each age group. We are delighted to present to you the 2021 Young Muslim Writers Awards Anthology which features the vivid poetry, adventure-filled storytelling, ground-breaking journalism and entertaining screenplays and play scripts of the shortlisted entries. We hope you enjoy reading these extracts as much as we did, and that they inspire your writing and imagination. We are grateful for the support and encouragement we have received during this year’s competition. We thank our broadcasting partner, Islam Channel, who have made our shared desire to inspire creativity in millions of viewers around the world a reality since our very first event. We thank the Institute of English Studies at the School of Advanced Study (University of London) for their support in celebrating the achievements of young writers for the the past four years. We thank the thirtyfive judges who embraced the difficult task of selecting the winners; their profiles can be found in the pages of this anthology. We are grateful to the publishers listed in this anthology who have generously gifted books to the shortlisted writers. We thank the teachers and parents across the country for encouraging children to start writing. We congratulate and thank all the writers who took part in the competition! May this be the first step in your remarkable writing journeys and may this achievement pave the way for your future successes in sha’ Allah. Wa alaikum as-salam,

Syed Lakhte Hassanain Chairman, Muslim Hands 3

KS1 POETRY

KS3 PLAY SCRIPT

KS1 SHORT STORIES

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KS4 POETRY

KS2 SHORT STORIES

KS4 SHORT STORIES

MEET THE JUDGES

KS4 JOURNALISM

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KS3 POETRY

KS4 SCREENPLAY

KS3 SHORT STORIES

CONGRATULATIONS FROM JUDGES

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MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS

SHORTLIST: POETRY Key Stage 1 Poetry – Ages 5 to 7 Identity My Brothers My Wuzu Poem Rainbow of Life Twinkle Little Star Key Stage 2 Poetry – Ages 7 to 11 Can You See the Ocean Hope Part 2 Life On Mars The Busy Bee Where Are You — My Sweet Love? Key Stage 3 Poetry – Ages 11 to 14 I Come From Questions for Humanity The Guilt of Apartheid The Life of Asylum Seekers and Refugees The Undertones

Xaavier Mahmood Maleeha Riaz Sofia Ahmed Yusra Drummond Janna Tafraouti

Norah Tafraouti Zidan Akhtar Sephora Drummond Aisha Rubani Liba V Karnachi

Seher Safdar Fatema Zahra Mithwani Zaleeka Ismail Master Mariam Khan Maheen Zafar

Key Stage 4 Poetry – Ages 14 to 16 How Can You Sleep Sameea Shahid Immigrants Again Ameerah Kola-Olukotun Palace Walls Aarzoo T Khan The Extract Nabiha Ali The Lost Piece Tayyibah Latif

SHORTLIST: SHORT STORY Key Stage 1 Short Story – Ages 5 to 7 Going To Space Muhammad Abubakr Awan Safiya and Sunbeam Yusra Drummond Sycamore Around the World Abdullah Ibn-Zakir The Unicorn with 70,000 Horns Maleeha Riaz Zappy Zenia Xaavier Mahmood Key Stage 2 Short Story – Ages 7 to 11 Compass Catastrophe The Big Meow-stry The Biggest Boy in the World and the Fiery Lasagne The Boy Who Hacked the School The Shadow in the Dark

Thalia S. A. Sephora Drummond Carmel D Moosa Mumtaz Hafsa Qureshi

Key Stage 3 Short Story – Ages 11 to 14 Antiques Ummay-Habeeba Mushtaq Friendly Ghost Alayna Parvez Nobody Noticed Alisha Ahmed The Journey Home Muhammed Amin The World is Waking Up Aleena Rafi Key Stage 4 Short Story – Ages 14 to 16 Diaries of An Amnesic Bio-Weapon Asya Alsaghir Grandmother Sadiyah Khan Red Maryam Abdalla Sequelae Ameerah Kola-Olukotun TSUNAMI Aisha Ali

SHORTLIST: JOURNALISM Key Stage 3 Journalism – Ages 11 to 14 Code Red for Humanity Aliyeen Awan Natural Choices Muhammed Amin School Ablaze Danyal Parvez The Lost Generation Faheem Alley The Rights of the People Are Gone. It’s Time to Bring Them Back Aqil Hussen Key Stage 4 Journalism – Ages 14 to 16 NHS Yusra Nawaz Not My Child Ameerah Kola-Olukotun The Undervalued Topic of Overpopulation Asiya Khan Should We Believe in History Books Yahya Dalal

SHORTLIST: PLAY SCRIPT Key Stage 3 Play Script – Ages 11 to 14 Alan and the A grade Vi Conviene

Riyad Salah Neda Aryan

SHORTLIST: SCREENPLAY Key Stage 3 Screenplay – Ages 11 to 14 A Test of Faith Khadija Fombo Dolls vs Humans Ameera Ebrahim and Zoya Vindhani Zodiac Zoo Numa Nayeem Karnachi Key Stage 4 Screenplay – Ages 14 to 16 Vaikeaa and the Imaginaries

Ameerah Kola-Olukotun

KE Y STAGE 1 POETRY IDENTITY I have been thinking about identity, And all the things that make me, me! I am a girl and I am six, And I love to eat pick and mix. I am a sister, I am a friend, Sometimes I am a unicorn when I pretend! I am a Muslim, I am a daughter, And I love to add squash to my water. I like to do lots of different things, I like karate and I like to sing. I like to play and ride my bike, In bowling I like it when I get a strike. All these things make me, me, I am who I am and this makes me free.

MY BROTHERS My brothers are naughty buggers They’re always being told off by my mother

I am the youngest And the luckiest

All they want to do is play and fight When my mother is out of sight

Their only sister Who they love to assist

Danyal is the first eldest And the strangest

Having four brothers Who love to smother And protect me like no other

Salis is second eldest And is the wildest Maatin is the third eldest And the kindest Sami is the fourth eldest And the loudest

I love my brothers They are my soldiers Big and strong They do no wrong I always pray God keep them protected today And everyday

MY WUZU POEM Rinse your mouth thrice Till it smells fresh and nice Blow your nose Get rid of everything mucky and gross Wash your face So Allah gives you beauty and grace Wipe your hair So Allah gives you beauty and flair Wash your arm till your elbow thrice Make sure it looks sparkly and nice Wipe your neck and ear Until it is all clear Finally its time for your feet to shine Offer your prayer and feel devine

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 1 Poetry

RAINBOW OF LIFE Red is the colour of roses and “I love you” But it is also the colour of danger and blood too. Orange is the colour of citrus fruit- zesty but sweet, It is also the colour of fire and raging heat. Yellow is the colour of buttercups and the the joyful sun, It is also the colour of bananas and cheeky monkey fun. Green is the forest- wild and free, It is also the colour of the eyes of a monster- jealousy. Blue is the colour of the calm day sky It is also the colour of the ocean where you could drown and die. Indigo is aubergines plump and smooth It is also the mysterious night sky hosting asteroids on the move. Violet is amethyst and grand royalty, It is also the colour of humble lavender to help you sleep peacefully. These are the colours of the rainbow, They are also the colours of life. The good, the bad, the happy and sad, And for every one, I am glad.

TWINKLE LITTLE STAR The stars are twinkling The moon is glimmering The wind is howling The streets are silent The humans are snoring The owls are swooping The foxes are hunting. The house is still. The children are cuddling The baby is breathing. The trees are whispering. I dream of the sea. The shadows are growing. The fireflies are glowing. The cat is wandering. Elsewhere, the sun shines.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 1 Poetry

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KE Y STAGE 1 SHORT STORIES EXCERPT FROM ‘GOING TO SPACE’ Jonathon looked outside the rocket through the windows and saw a whole other world in front of him. Purple and blue galaxies swirled in the twinkling sky whilst small stars shone brightly. Amid the starlight glowed the moon powerfully despite the distance. Behind, he saw the atmosphere which deepened through an ombre of blues until it reached a perfect starlit black. The rocket came to a halt and stopped right beside the International Space Station. The good times lasted only shortly. Secret cameras were installed all around the spacecraft to show all the people on Earth space and how the astronauts were living. What the people did not expect to see was a rapid, unexpected shortage in fuel. As the fuel monitor dropped to 50 percent full, people watching on tv started to become worried. The astronauts however remained determined and were sure that everything was alright. The only exception was Jonathon as he lost belief and sat in the corner whilst uncomfortable silence crept through the spacecraft. When the fuel monitor dropped to 30 percent full, the astronauts began to panic silently. They kept themselves busy trying to communicate with the mission assistants at the NASA headquarters but the tension was evident on their faces. Arthur screamed, “I found it,” as he held a large metal bottle labelled “Emergency Fuel”.

EXCERPT FROM ‘SAFIYA AND SUNBEAM’ As the day wore on, Safiya tried to stop herself from panicking. She thought hard. She could not think of one thing to stop Sunny and the other snakes fighting. As she walked through the zoo, she went to have her usual chat with Sunny. She did not tell her about her being made to leave in case she got worried. Safiya went gently over to the snake enclosure and lent forward to make sure nobody heard her. “How do you like it here, Sunny?” she asked. “I feel like I’m not wanted” Sunny said flatly. “Why do you think that? That’s not true, I want you!” Safiya tried to reassure her. “We just know these things Safiya, we know when we’re not wanted” Sunny said as she slithered behind a rock and flopped down sadly. ... Safiya didn’t waste a moment. She ran to the snake enclosure and found the snakes huddled together chatting secretly. “Hi everybody. I just wanted to come by and ask you a couple of questions if you don’t mind… Why don’t you play with Sunny? She’s new and could sure use some nice friends to help her settle in”. “Sunny? That new Sunbeam? No way! She is poisonous” replied Vivian the Viper. “Poisonous? Whatever gave you that idea?” Safiya asked in shock. “Haven’t you seen? She has those poisonous scales that shimmer” chimed in Ronda the Rattlesnake. “Yes, she’s definitely not like any of us” said Gordon the Garden Snake. “Never seen rainbow shimmers on a snake before and if I haven’t seen it, I don’t like it” added Colin the Cobra. Safiya listened in shock at their responses, “Oh no, no, you’ve got it all wrong!” she protested, “Those are her natural patterns” she said. The snakes continued “Well, WE don’t have those patterns” said Annie the Anaconda. “That is because they are a different breed than you all. They are called sunbeam snakes. When the light hits their scales, it makes that pattern. It’s nothing dangerous” Safiya reassured. “I’m not sure about this”, Peggy the Python added, “when I haven’t seen something before, I usually stay well away!” The other snakes nodded in agreement. “But” Safiya began to plead “you can’t automatically fear something just because you haven’t seen it before. This is your chance to learn, to make a friend, to discover something new. Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?” © Yusra Drummond Key Stage 1 Short Story 14

EXCERPT FROM ‘SYCAMORE AROUND THE WORLD’ I am a sycamore seed, I want to move to a different place because I am not going to get enough sunlight. I want to grow into a sycamore tree. Once in the warm Amazon, I was on a sycamore tree. I could hear a tiger roar like a T-Rex. The sun is so bright. I felt hot like a radiator. I could smell the goowey sticky mud under me. The leaves on the towering trees were moving. The colourful parrot grabbed me and dropped me on the cold snow, then I saw a big snow leopard. I heard a big thud, it was snow falling from the mountain, it was like a big stone and there was a smelly yak. It’s so cold I was frozen. I didn’t like it here I wanted to go back to the Amazon. The gentle bearded vulture caught me and took me to the wild sunny Australasia. I saw a frilled neck lizard running away like a racing car. The snake was long it was coming towards me and flicked me on the frilled neck lizard’s scaly back. I heard the snake hissing it was terrifying. The lizard smelt damp. The frilled neck lizard was shaking while he was running. He was shaking so much I flew into the Indian Ocean. A massive whale ate me because I was in a flock of krill, but I got stuck on his baleen it was bumpy. I was anxious because I thought I was going to fall inside his stomach. Later, the whale did a massive massive massive burp that pushed me into Zambia. I was glad that I came out of the whale’s sticky baleen.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 1 Short Stories

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE UNICORN WITH 70,000 HORNS’ She looked around to see where the voice came from, all she could see were colours of the rainbow, as she was flying through them. Eventually she landed on what looked like pink grass. The trees had multi coloured leaves with fruit of all varieties. When Maleeha picked an apple off the tree, she admired its appearance. It was deep red in colour. When Maleeha took a bite the inside of the apple was like the colours of the rainbow. The red part tasted like strawberries, the green tasted like kiwis, and the purples tasted like blue berries. The apple was so delicious. Maleeha then walked until she approached a stream. She felt thirsty and crouched down to get some water. As she put her hand in the water, she heard a noise in the distance. As she looked around, she saw a beautiful white creature in the mist. Then a beautiful rainbow appeared and multi coloured rainbow began to drop like rain. Maleeha was covered in glitter like rain. She was so astonished as she loved glitter and sparkly things. Then all of a sudden, the beautiful white creature came out of the mist. “A unicorn” Maleeha shouted. The unicorn was pure white. It had a huge horn made of sparkling gold with mutli- coloured gems embedded into it. Its hair was made of the colours of the rainbow. When the unicorn came closer. Maleeha was astonished at what she had seen. As the unicorn turned it appeared to have so many horns. The unicorn approached Maleeha and began to speak. Maleeha just stared in shock.

EXCERPT FROM ‘ZAPPY ZENIA’ Zappy Zenia didn’t know what to do! “Sing!” Shouted Madame Greta Glove from the other side of the fence. Without giving it a second thought Zappy Zenia began to sing! It’s was excruciatingly painful! Dastardly Dinosaur boy, reached for his ears and……… dropped his banana! Zappy Zenia jumped as high as she could, but being the clumsy fool she was, slipped on the banana and landed straight on Ruthless Rotter! The stunned dog began crying like a baby and freed Madame Greta Glove from his jaw! He ran into his kennel and whimpered away! Dastardly Dinosaur Boy was still dazed by the ringing in his ears from Zappy Zenia’s singing! Zappy Zenia jumped over the fence with Madame Greta Glove (and put up all her washing on the washing line on the way) slipped on the slide and fell to the ground! Madame Greta Glove was just glad she was away from the dog breath! Zappy Zenia had saved the day and the two best friends went inside and gorged on all the hidden kitchen treats. What a day!

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 1 Short Stories

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KE Y STAGE 2 POETRY CAN YOU SEE THE OCEAN Can you see the ocean? Smashing against those rocks Filled with magical creatures Hidden past the docks. Can you see the ocean? Splashing onto the sand floor As it comes towards you, It is too beautiful to ignore. Can you see the ocean? Filled with fish of all kind Creatures beyond the sea floor Much too hard to find. Can you see the ocean? Standing there so still It is deep, lonely and quiet So beautiful, with a comfortable chill. Can you see the ocean? With a sudden change Filled with our rubbish Something so strange. Can you see the ocean? Once filled with beauties But who are now suffering Because we haven’t done our duties. Can you save the ocean? Who’s suffered greatly? We can help cure it Unlike has been done lately.

EXCERPT FROM ‘HOPE PART 2’ Dehumanised and targeted because the colour of our skin When will we eradicate this immorality and sin? This disease continues to infiltrate and crosses the sea Footballers attacked for the sake of a penalty Their courage and bravery overshadowed by hate Only accepted as equals when the result is great Ending this irrational behaviour is the only option No longer giving racism a platform nor leg to stand on It began to spread Not only the virus, an uprising instead Millions flooded the streets all around the world ‘Black Lives Matter!’ they bellowed and hurled Some took the knee, whilst others stood tall Statues honouring conflicted history, soon began to fall Emotions ran deep, people vented their rage Politicians and leaders – It’s time to engage Ignited by this feat, there is hope, here’s our chance To reclaim the future, and relinquish the past

EXCERPT FROM ‘LIFE ON MARS’ Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Life on Mars! Pay attention wherever you are, even if you are sat in your cars. We have interrupted our regular news to let you know about a disturbing find, After this report is over, please reflect on this and maybe rewind. A satellite has reported a new planet called Mearth, we now think, Perhaps it has something to do with those spying robots, maybe that is the link. The inhabitants of Planet Mearth are called hooman-beans, These hoomans are addicted to strange, illuminated screens. The Mearthlings have massive, roaring machines that chop down trees Hoomans use poisons called “chemicals” that kill bees. They kill creatures great and small- something we would hate, Dying of the consequences of their own actions is the hooman’s sad fate. Hoomans also burn horrible, sticky plastic, The end result of their actions will really be quite drastic.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 2 Poetry

THE BUSY BEE There was an old man relaxing near a tree going to stuff his face with honey, until the man saw a bee called Jerry, Jerry the bee was very funny he loved honey but always wanted money, people asked the old man “does the bee buzz “? the old man said “yes it does”, along came Winnie The Pooh who loved honey too, Jerry was buzzing and flapping his wings, then zooms to a hive and clings to his precious honey pot, “can I have some honey” said winnie the pooh” “certainly not” said Jerry the bee, “ the honey has vanished you see, the old man has tricked me and taken all the honey, without paying me money , and gulped it into his enormous greedy tummy , which wasn’t funny, but tomorrow you can join me to find more sweet golden honey”.

EXCERPTS FROM ‘WHERE ARE YOU — MY SWEET LOVE?’ Worries or troubles, sickness or pains, Mama you are the one who cares and shares, Mama you thought I am tired, And you thought that I may want to rest You made a nice and comfy bed Thank you mama, but instead can I rest on your lap, my tiny little head? With you by my side day and night, Fear is not mine, when you hold me tight, You are the one who rose me well, Like a beautiful flower and that everyone can tell, … You are the soft feathers of my swan, Mama you are the precious jewels on my crown, you are the sunset of my days, and the bright, white moonlight of my greys, Mama You are the flowing blood in my veins and You are the gentle soothing for my pains, You were the precious gift from my God, which worths a fortune and heavens on the ground, You are loving and forgiving, These are the qualities of our god we believe in,

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 2 Poetry

KE Y STAGE 2 SHORT STORIES EXCERPT FROM ‘COMPASS CATASTROPHE’ “OWWWW!” we cried as they trampled onto us. It’s not a nice experience, getting trampled on. Let’s just say that it hurt. A LOT. “The mud is alive!” exclaimed Harry. “Run for your lives!” cried Larry. I heard footsteps getting quieter and quieter… so I swam out of the mud. I was covered head to toe in it. Yuck! It was all over my new coat too, and looked ugly. And the normal version of my coat was already ugly. “Phew!” Ava wheezed, getting out of the gunk. “Ahhh! I’ll never be more grateful for air in my life,” Zayd puffed. “We need to run, though. The Two Arries might come back,” I advised. We set off at a tremendous speed! We hopped over massive logs and ducked under gnarled branches. I went so fast, that at least half the mud flew off of me. To my surprise, I heard the voices of the Two Arries! I gulped and signalled to the others to climb up a tree. We scaled up the tree, But what was the time? Three? It wasn’t three… it was four o’clock! Pain overtook me, because I was shocked. A worried feeling surged rapidly through me, There was going to be a tornado- and it was easy to see! Like I just told you, I could easily see a tornado coming my way, because remember, there was a tornado alert for four o’clock. But Larry and Harry were under the tree! If I jumped down, they’d catch me. But if I stayed hidden, I might get swept off by the tornado.

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE BIG MEOWSTRY’ The chirping of the early morning birds woke me up the next morning, only followed by Mum calling me down for breakfast. Remembering our surveillance mission, I dragged myself out of bed and tugged a hairbrush through my uncooperative hair. As I opened my wardrobe to get changed, I knew I was in detective mode today. I rifled through my drawers and found my best camouflaged t shirt and combat trousers. I pulled a light green abaya on top in case I needed a change of clothes mid-mission and draped a flowing deep green hijab fastened with a green leaf brooch. I was ready. Over a bowl of cereal, Sarah was excitedly telling mum and dad about her plan to write an essay about Amelia Earheart. “She’s amazing!” Sarah beamed. “A pioneering woman who mysteriously disappeared on an attempted flight across the world.” Sarah paused for a moment. “I want the main point of my essay to be how brave, daring and courageous she was. About how she kept on trying to accomplish her dreams even though women in her time did not used to fly and it was considered a very unusual ambition for a girl.” Half listening, I ate my cereal as quick as I could and jumped up to wash my bowl. There was no time to waste. I carefully explained to Mum and Dad that Ameera and I were going to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour in the community. Mum frowned and Dad tutted, but that both reluctantly said yes. I was barely out of the front door and when I bumped into Ameera at the end of my driveway. She was dressed in similar clothes to me. She wore a light grey hijab and a white flower brooch. Each with our own copies of the suspect list, we first set our sights on Ms Williams.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 2 Short Stories

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE BIGGEST BOY IN THE WORLD AND THE FIERY LASAGNE’ Herbert glanced at all the food. What a delight it was to see all those foods glancing back at him. “Eat me,” whispered the jellies. “I’m the best jelly of my time. Even if I wasn’t, don’t you adore my lavish colours?”, Herbert nodded in agreement. He couldn’t get his eyes off the Maltesers-ice cream-coconutraspberry-banana-caramel-jam, last but definitely not least-blueberrychocolate cake. It was glowing with light and dancing with colours. “Oh, dear”, Herbert thought. He had a good idea. Perhaps not good for us but it certainly was good in his big belly. He swung his head around and gave the cake a heroic look, but sadly through the drama, Herbert needed the bathroom. In a minute he was back. He went back to the heroic look. He said, “You, will be mine”, even though he thought it was pretty useless. He inhaled. He exhaled. He whispered, “Are you ready for me?”, and without another word, he lunged towards the cake, occasionally having to dodge the chefs.

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE BOY WHO HACKED THE SCHOOL’ “Now see here you boy, I don’t have time for this nonsense, I need to take my very fine car to the Hot Shine Car Wash only for the Super Rich. I noticed a tiny speck of dirt on this morning.” Said the headteacher. “Who invented dirt I ask you!” “But sir!” Said the boy. “I’m sure someone said that there was big scratch on your car.” “WHAT? I must go check at once,” Screamed the head teacher and he began running out of his office and down the corridor. “Go back to your class boy, this is an emergency!” he shouted over his shoulder. The boy ambled into the head teacher’s office and began looking around, but he was careful not to touch anything. On the head teacher’s desk lay books such as, ‘The Best Expensive Cars’ ‘More Expensive Cars’ and ‘Expensive Car Dictionary.’ And all around the walls there were hung pictures of… you guessed it, expensive cars! The boy thought that there would be nothing at all interesting in the head teacher’s office, when suddenly he found a very interesting paper stuck on the noticeboard, it read “TEACHER’S PASSWORDS”. “A-HA!” Whispered the boy to himself. “This will be very useful!” And he carefully put it in his pocket.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 2 Short Stories

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE SHADOW IN THE DARK’ CCRREEAAGGHHBBAANNGG!!!!! ‘What was that?!!’ I thought to myself. I leapt out of my bed and cautiously peered through my colourful curtains. The garden movement sensor light was on. ‘‘But that doesn’t make any sense.’’ I spoke. Just then, the sensor light turned off immersing me in an immediate darkness, so I ran to my large chest of drawers and rummaged around until I found what I was looking for. My ‘Light a night’ torch! Just as I ran back to my window and was about to switch my torch on, I heard a crunching sound. My brain clocked this. Were the crunching sounds… bones?! I instantly froze. My eyes scattered the Garden and saw a shadow of a living being. I desperately want to switch on my torch but, I didn’t want that person to see and attack me, so I didn’t. As I lowered the torch there was a strange howling sound coming from the outside of my room, I jolted backwards looking towards my door then the movement sensor light switched back on, so I looked. There was something moving around under it. I gulped, took a deep breath, and pressed my face against my cold window. I then saw what it was. It was a … FOX!! It was scavenging for food. “Are you SERIOUS?! All that time and it was just a fox?! I cannot believe it! UGGGH!” I said aloud just as I finished that sentence, I heard a rather loud yowl.

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MEE T THE JUDGES AHMED JAFFERALI VERSI

is the publisher and editor of The Muslim News. Ahmed has interviewed world leaders including the late President of Bosnia Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic, the late Aslan Maskhadov of Chechnya, Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, the Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, the Rt. Hon. David Cameron the Rt. Hon. Theresa May, and the Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson, and HRH The Prince of Wales. During the first Gulf War, Ahmed was part of a British Muslim delegation to Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia mediating for the release of British hostages. In March 2000 Ahmed launched The Muslim News Awards for Excellence celebrating Muslim achievements. He established the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation and was until recently Deputy President of the International Islamic Women’s Games. A regular speaker at international conferences covering Islamic issues at the local and global level, Ahmed focuses on media representation. Ahmed was awarded Honorary Doctorate of Arts in recognition of achievements as Editor of The Muslim News from the University of Bedfordshire in 2007. He was ranked among the top 20 most powerful Asians in the British media by The Guardian.

A. M. DASSU

is an award winning writer of both non-fiction and fiction including the internationally acclaimed novel Boy, Everywhere which is one of The Guardian’s, Bookriot’s, BookTrust’s, and CLPE’s Best Children’s Books of 2020 and has been given a coveted star review from Kirkus, Booklist, and Publisher’s Weekly in the US. She is Deputy Editor of SCBWI-BI’s magazine, Words & Pictures, and a Director of Inclusive Minds, an organisation which champions inclusion, diversity, equality, and accessibility in children’s literature. She is also patron of The Other Side of Hope, a print and online literary magazine, edited by immigrants and refugees which serves to celebrate the refugee and immigrant communities. She is one of The National Literacy Trust’s Connecting Stories campaign authors which aims to help inspire a love of reading and writing in children and young people. Previously, she has worked in project management, marketing, and editorial. Her work has been published by The Huffington Post, Times Educational Supplement, SCOOP Magazine, Lee and Low Books, DK Books, and Harper Collins.

ANNUM SALMAN

is the debut author of her poetry book Sense Me which revolves around the theme of identity, encompassing topics such as gender inequality, mental health, race, culture, and love. Born and bred in Pakistan, Annum completed her MA in creative writing from the University of Surrey. She is a renowned spoken word poet in Pakistan as well as in the UK having had featured shows at That’s What She Said, Dorking is Talking, Woking Literary Lightbox Festival, Nottingham Poetry Festival, SpeakEasy Soho, and The Surrey New Writers Festival.

BURHANA ISLAM

was born in Bangladesh and raised in Newcastle. She studied English Literature at Newcastle University before deciding to become a secondary school teacher. After winning a mentorship with Penguin Random House and moving to the outskirts of Manchester, she now writes stories of her own. Her debut Amazing Muslims Who Changed The World celebrates the successes of Muslims across the ages and around the world. She is also the author of the My-Laugh-Out-Life middle-grade comedy series.

FATIMA SAID

is a Content and Communications assistant at Amaliah. She develops the website’s editorial content and works closely with emerging writers to bring their pieces to life with the aim of amplifying the voices and perspectives of Muslim women. She has a background in politics, having previously worked at Chatham House and in the Houses of Parliament. Her experience in politics drives her passion and interest in social reform and justice. Fatima enjoys writing in her spare time – she made the prestigious shortlist for the Merky Books New Writers award in 2021 and is currently working on her first novel.

GABY MORGAN is an Editorial Director at Macmillan Children’s Books. She has compiled many bestselling anthologies including Read Me and Laugh: A Funny Poem for Every Day of the Year, Poems from the First World War, Fairy Poems – which was short-listed for the CLPE Award – and the Macmillan Collector’s Library poetry series featuring anthologies on Happiness, Nature, Childhood, Travelling, Stillness and the Sea.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Meet The Judges

HANZLA

is a previous winner of the Young Muslim Writers Awards. He studied English Language and Literature at university and now works as a producer in the television industry. He is currently directing his first film for Channel 4.

HELENA NELSON

is a poet, and the founder and editor of HappenStance Press. Her own published work began with a pamphlet, Mr and Mrs Philpott on Holiday at Aucherawe & Other Poems. Her first book, Starlight on Water, was an Aldeburgh/Jerwood First Collection Prize winner. She writes both serious and light verse, and has performed widely. A former teacher in further education, she occasionally works as an Arvon tutor. She reviews for a variety of magazines as well as posting regular blogs entries on HappenStance’s website. In 2016, she published a HappenStance bestseller: How (Not) to Get Your Poetry Published, a book that collects the insights and ideas she has gathered over the last fourteen years in poetry publishing.

JAZZMINE BREARY

is Sales, Marketing & Publicity Manager at award-winning independent publishing house Jacaranda Books where she has worked since its launch, working closely with founder Valerie Brandes across multiple areas of the business. In 2020 Jazzmine was named a Bookseller Rising Star, recognising her contribution to publishing and her promising future in the industry. She is curator of the #TwentyIn2020 Black Writers, British Voices Festival, created in collaboration with Fane Productions and TGRG Agency, celebrating Black British writing talent and the writers of Jacaranda’s #TwentyIn2020 publishing programme. In 2015, Jazzmine contributed to the Writing the Future report; her article, Let’s Not Forget explored the legacy of diverse and particularly Black publishing in the UK. She is a regular speaker on issues of diversity and inclusivity in publishing. Her speaking engagements include M-Fest, the LBF Inclusivity in Publishing Conference, the Bradford Literature Festival, and more. She has been featured in The Voice newspaper, Actual Size magazine, on BBC Radio London, The Beat London, and more recently BBC Radio Gloucestershire. She has been a mentor on the MA in Publishing at Kingston University and served on the committee of Women in Publishing UK from 2012-2014.

KHALEEL MUHAMMAD

is an internationally renowned nasheed artist who has performed globally and released three albums. Khaleel is the author of the children’s book Muslim All-Stars. He has appeared in several television shows, adverts, and the Disney film Cinderella. On TV he has presented Khaleel’s Make & Do show, and The Muslim Kid Show. He is the radio presenter of the double award-winning Kids Round Show on Inspire 105.1FM. Khaleel designed and illustrated the children’s books Allah’s Amazing Messenger (pbuh) by S.J. Sear, Adams Adventures by Mariah Derissy, and his own Muslim Family Colouring Book, now in its second revised edition. Khaleel has most recently self-published his second book Muslim All-Stars Monster Mayhem.

LUQMAN ALI

is the founding Artistic Director of Khayaal Theatre, the first multi award-winning professional theatre company dedicated to the dramatic interpretation of Muslim and interfaith literature and the experience of Muslims in the modern world for the stage, film, radio, publishing and education. He is currently working to nurture an inclusive humanitarian discourse of story and dream in Muslim communities and between those communities and wider society through Khayaal’s national on-demand Theatre-without-Walls programme that includes adaptations of wisdom tales from Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam while also developing the company’s next medium scale production exploring the intersection of Britain and Islam in the story of coffee.

MALIKA

is a poet and spoken word artist who served as Peterborough’s Poet Laureate 2019-2021. She is also a creative producer, social researcher, and activist. She uses poetry to inspire and deliver messages around mental health, justice, reflectivity, and self-empowerment. Malika is active in many projects around community cohesion, and inspiring and empowering young people in being confident in who they are and knowing their value in society. She has performed and appeared on TV and radio shows, and at events in London, Luton, and Peterborough, including BBC Look East, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Inspire FM, and Salaam Radio.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Meet The Judges

MARCUS WICKER is the author of Silencer (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017)—winner of the Society of Midland Authors Award— and Maybe the Saddest Thing (Harper Perennial, 2012), selected by D.A. Powell for the National Poetry Series. He is the recipient of a 2021 National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship, a Pushcart Prize, 2011 Ruth Lilly Fellowship, as well as fellowships from The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and Cave Canem. Wicker’s poems have appeared in The Nation, The New Republic, The Atlantic, Oxford American, and POETRY. He is Poetry Editor of Southern Indiana Review, and an Associate Professor of English at the University of Memphis where he teaches in the MFA program. Photo Credit: Kristyn Greenfield.

MARIAM HAKIM is the founder of children’s publishing imprint Waw Stories. After studying English Literature and Media at university, Mariam worked in Communications and Marketing. Mariam later embarked on writing for children and has authored three Muslim children’s picture books. Her most recent book Wake up! It’s the Ramadan Drummer has won the Promise Prize for text by Faber. Mariam’s writing has a particular focus on celebrating powerful stories from Muslim cultures as she believes all children should be able to see their identities reflected in stories. Mariam also hosts an annual read aloud ‘Hakawati’ series on Waw Stories’ social media.

MATHEW TOBIN teaches English and Children’s Literature in Primary ITE and leads several modules on the MA/PGCert in Education with a focus on the history of Children’s Literature and Reading for Pleasure. Since joining Oxford Brookes University in 2014, after sixteen years of Primary teaching and leading in Oxfordshire, Mathew has been asked to deliver several keynotes across the UK on Reading for Pleasure, Picturebooks and Engaging pupils in the reading and writing process. He has research interests in children’s literature and the Reading for Pleasure agenda and is currently working on his doctorate in exploring multimodal approaches to locality-based children’s literature.

MICHAL WICHEREK

trained as director at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, studied film and theatre at Wroclaw University in Poland and gained a Masters in writing for film from the University of Sheffield. Michal set up Box Clever Theatre as a company dedicated to original writing for young people. It has produced and toured over 300 productions and continues to champion the provision of live theatre in schools.

MOLLY ROSENBERG

is Director of the Royal Society of Literature, the UK’s charity for the advancement of literature. Molly has worked at the RSL for over ten years, and is thrilled to be working on the RSL’s five-year bicentenary festival RSL 200 introducing a number of new projects that show how much Literature Matters. Molly has previously worked at the Royal Opera House and Southbank Centre, and as an independent researcher, and holds an MPhil in Irish Writing and Literature from Trinity College Dublin.

NADINE AISHA JASSAT is the author of Let Me Tell You This. She has been published widely including in Picador’s It’s Not About the Burqa, 404 Ink’s Nasty Women, and Bloodaxe’s Staying Human. Nadine has performed internationally, including with Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Outriders Africa, and has appeared across media, including BBC’s The Big Scottish Book Club. She has taught creative writing across the UK, including for BBC’s Words First programme and The Arvon Foundation. She has won a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award, and was shortlisted for the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award and a Herald Scotland Outstanding Literature award. Nadine was included in Jackie Kay’s International Literature Showcase selection. Photo Credit: Chris Scott.

NIZRANA FAROOK

was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the landscapes of her home country always find their way into the stories she writes. Her debut novel, The Girl Who Stole an Elephant, was the biggest selling middle grade debut of 2020. It was a Waterstones Book of the Month, longlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and Jhalak Prize, and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her second book, The Boy Who Met a Whale, which was out this year, was an Indie Book of the Month and one of Booktrust’s Best Books of 2021. She has a master’s degree in creative writing for children. Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2020, Meet The Judges

NOOR YUSUF is a poet and author. Her works have garnered her awards at both local and national level, including being a threetimes winner of the Young Muslim Writers Award. At the age of 15, she authored The Soliloquy of the Full Moon, an original work on the nativity of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This thousand-line narrative epic of fully metered English poetry fused classical cadences of Shakespeare and Milton with the equally classical genres of Arabic praise and biographical poetry. She will soon release Through the Blue Gate, the sequel to Beyond the Forest. These are the first two instalments of Adventures with the Awliya, a series of adventure stories influenced by children’s classics such as the Faraway Tree, as well as accounts of Muslim Sufis and mystics. She has also authored a fully-fledged historical fantasy trilogy. She read linguistics at the University of Birmingham and is pursuing traditional studies of Islamic law, theology and spirituality. Besides writing, she is an artist and choral conductor.

PATRICE LAWRENCE is a multiple-award winning writer for children and young adults, public speaker and occasional arts commentator on radio and TV. She has been nominated for the Carnegie Award six times and was awarded an MBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

RAISAH AHMED is a Scottish Asian Muslim Writer/Director who is based in Glasgow and is currently working across television and film. She has been longlisted for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab twice - in 2015 with Meet Me By The Water and in 2018 with Safar which is currently in development with Producer Zorana Piggott. She is in development with Zorana Piggott on a WW1 feature, HalfMoon Camp, for Film 4. Her writing credits include CBeebies shows Feeling Better, Molly & Mack and Torc award winning Control, a BBC The Social phone drama, and Aden’s Journey, a short drama about a refugee unaccompanied minor for the Celcis course ‘Caring for Children on the Move’. Alumni of the EIFF Talent Lab 2014, Raisah had her first commissioned short as writer/director Meet Me By The Water premiere at EIFF 2016, which it went on to be programmed by BBC Scotland’s ‘Next Big Thing’ programme. She directed one of BBC 3’s The Break III, CBBC’s Sparks, and most recently Princess MirrorBelle for CBBC.

REHAN KHAN

is the author of A King’s Armour, and A Tudor Turk which was nominated for the Carnegie Medal in 2020. These novels have been described as Mission Impossible in the sixteenthcentury. An avid observer of history and the many cross-cultural connections it unearths, Rehan has always been intrigued by how ideas move from one civilisation to the next.

RICHARD GRANT

is a performance poet, writer, and producer, also known as Dreadlockalien. He has worked alongside the Young Muslim Writers Awards for many years and is an advocate for spoken word and unheard voices.

DR ROOPA FAROOKI

(MRCP MBBS MA Oxon BA Hons) is an NHS Junior Doctor, an author and a lecturer at the University of Oxford on the Masters in Creative Writing. She has written six literary novels with Pan Macmillan and Headline, and a series for children with Oxford University Press, the Double Detectives Medical Mystery Series, with titles The Cure for a Crime and Diagnosis Danger. She has won the John C Laurence Prize from the Author’s Foundation for work that increases understanding between cultures, is the recipient of an Arts Council Prize, and has been listed three times for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Her next book is coming out with Bloomsbury in January 2022, titled Everything is True, a junior doctor’s story of life, death and grief in a time of pandemic.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Meet The Judges

SARMAD MASUD is a writer and director. He most recently directed all four parts of You Don’t Know Me for Snowed-in Productions, a new four-part series written by Tom Edge, based on the book by Imran Mahmood, and broadcasted on BBC. He previously directed the Bulletproof Special for Vertigo and Sky set in Cape Town, having also directed the Season 2 finale. He also recently directed on Ackley Bridge for The Forge and Channel 4. Sarmad’s first feature, My Pure Land, is set and filmed in Pakistan. It premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and was the UK submission to the Oscars in the Foreign Language category. He was also nominated as a Screen International Star of Tomorrow. Previously his short film Two Dosas, funded by Film London, was voted best film in their London Calling Plus category by David Yates, winning at London Short Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest, River to River in Florence, and Shufflefest voted by Danny Boyle. He also wrote and directed Adha Cup which was the first Urdu language drama commissioned by Channel Four, going on to develop it as a six-part TV series with the BBC.

SEÁN HEWITT is a book critic for The Irish Times and teaches Modern British & Irish Literature at Trinity College Dublin. His debut collection Tongues of Fire is published by Jonathan Cape, won The Laurel Prize, and was shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, the John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize, and a Dalkey Literary Award. In 2020, he was chosen by The Sunday Times as one of their ‘30 under 30’ artists in Ireland. He is also the winner of a Northern Writers’ Award, the Resurgence Prize, and an Eric Gregory Award. His book J.M. Synge: Nature, Politics, Modernism is published with Oxford University Press (2021). His memoir, All Down Darkness Wide, is forthcoming from Jonathan Cape in the UK and Penguin Press in the USA in 2022. Photo Credit: Brid O’Donovan.

SELMA DABBAGH

is a British-Palestinian writer of fiction. Her first novel, Out of It, (Bloomsbury, 2011) set between London, Gaza and the Gulf was listed as a Guardian Book of the Year. She has also written radio plays The Brick, for BBC Radio 4 (nominated for the Imison Award) and Sleep It Off, Dr. Schott, for WDR in Germany and had short stories published by Granta, Telegram and International PEN as well as writing for film and stage. Her non-fiction has appeared in the Guardian, London Review of Books, GQ and other publications. She is the editor of We Wrote In Symbols, (Saqi, 2021).

SOPHIA AKRAM

is a freelance journalist and researcher with an interest in foreign policy, human rights, and global development. She has been featured in Al Jazeera, Vice and other outlets and regularly writes for diaspora titles. Prior to journalism, Sophia worked in government departments and NGOs on justice, rights, and international issues and is passionate about storytelling to convey difficult subject matters to the masses.

SOPHIE KIRTLEY

is a prize-winning poet and children’s author. Her debut novel, The Wild Way Home, was published by Bloomsbury in 2020; it was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month and has been shortlisted for numerous awards. Her second book, The Way to Impossible Island, has recently been selected as one of Waterstones Best Children’s Paperbacks of 2021.

STEWART FOSTER

is an adult and children’s novelist. His books have won multiple school and library awards and are recommended by Empathy Lab and Reading Well. His first adult book, We Used to be Kings, was published in 2014, to the accolades of being selected as The Observers’ Author to Watch, and Amazons’ Rising Star, in the same year. His first children’s book, The Bubble Boy, was published in 2016, winning Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award in 2016 (Age 9+) and many schools and libraries awards, as well as being nominated for The Carnegie Book Award. The book was published as BUBBLE, in USA and has been translated into eleven languages. Since then, Stewart has written four more children’s books – All the Things That Could Go Wrong, Checkmates, The Perfect Parent Project and Can You Feel the Noise? Photo Credit: Tallulah Foster.

SUFIYA AHMED is an award-winning and Carnegie nominated children’s and YA author. Her new children’s book, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, is published by Scholastic UK in January 2022. The book, which profiles the life of the suffragette, will twin with her book Noor-Un-Nissa Inayat Khan, the story of the World War II heroine and spy. Both women feature in Sufiya’s human/girl’s rights workshops in schools, titled The Spy and The Suffragette, as role models for their historical contribution to Britain. Sufiya is also the founder and director of the BIBI Foundation, a non-profit organisation which arranges visits to the Houses of Parliament for diverse and underprivileged children. Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Meet The Judges

SUMAYYA LEE

was born in Durban and has worked as an Islamic Studies teacher, Montessori Directress and Teacher of English as a Foreign Language. Her debut, The Story of Maha (Kwela, 2007) was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book – Africa and longlisted for the Sunday Times Fiction Award. She was one of the judges for the 2018 Writivism /Kofi Addo Prize for Creative Non-Fiction and is part of the Advisory Board at Writivism.

TIM ROBERTSON is Chief Executive of The Anne Frank Trust UK, an education charity that empowers 10 to 15-year-olds to challenge all forms of prejudice, inspired by the world-famous teenage writer Anne Frank. Tim’s previous roles have included Director of the Royal Society of Literature, Chief Executive of the Koestler Trust for arts by prisoners, and Children’s Social Worker in the London Borough of Camden. Tim has degrees in English Literature from King’ College London and the State University of New York. He is a trustee of the Wordsworth Trust, which preserves the Lake District home of poet William Wordsworth, and he is an Elder at Friends House Quaker Meeting in Euston, where he is chairing a Community Sponsorship project to bring a refugee family to the UK.

YASMIN RAHMAN

is a British Muslim born and raised in Hertfordshire. She has an MA in Creative Writing and an MA in Writing for Young People, both with Distinction. Her debut novel, All The Things We Never Said was runner up in the Diverse Book Awards, and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her second novel, This is My Truth, was published in July 2021. When she’s not writing, she makes bookish fan art; her designs are sold worldwide on behalf of John Green.

KE Y STAGE 3 POETRY EXCERPT FROM ‘I COME FROM’ I come from a background of playing with my Cousins, it sticks. I come from haggis and turnips, I come from playing with my brother at kicks (football) I come from gymnastics, I come from a family that is fantastic, Their influence was highly drastic.. I come from small town, It was definitely run down. I come from Scotland. I come from a flag with a moon, I come from eating cereal with spoons, I come from people I’ll be seeing soon. I come from being daring, I come from a background of people constantly staring, I come from a non- diverse town. I come from a family that knows how to turn a frown upside down. I come from a house that was important to me, It isn’t really that clear to see. I come from a family, I come from living happily, Seeing a smile everyday

EXCERPT FROM ‘QUESTIONS FOR HUMANITY’ I wonder what would happen if we all expanded our ‘safe’ little bubbles; bent a little more, stiffened a little less, so that others could gladly join in what if, instead of me seeing you, and you seeing me as other, strange or scary, we took the plunge, beckoned each other, into our homes, cultures, lives: instead of saying, “stay away”, we all said, “welcome” I wonder what would happen if my attire wouldn’t determine my character for some people, and there’d be more to life than appearances; what if we lived in a world, where, on a crowded London bus, the person sat behind my mum hadn’t tried to set her hijab on fire what if we hadn’t been spat on, shouted at in an affluent London suburb, in broad daylight, told to: “Go back to your own country!” by a benign-looking man who could easily have passed for Father Christmas

I wonder what would happen if everyone had a seat at humanity’s table, not just a privileged few, and that all were included in the feasting and merriment, and the indigent needn’t settle for scraps; that beggars didn’t have to shame themselves because people would always give I wonder what would happen if the military was armed with fountain pens so that they could cross out war; that our minds were each, drops, in an ocean so that thoughts would mingle and we’d never be narrow-minded

THE GUILT OF APARTHEID Images flicker across the tv Illuminate mother’s solemn face Encompassing the room In its astringent blanket. My focus is on the crisps; There are dappled flakes in the bag Determined to block out the tumult Fruitlessly playing with the plastic. Head now stiffly raised My futile occupation deceased White noise evaporated As I adjust to what’s on-screen. Uniformed and formal; marching Others march too, but contrastingly – Unremittingly hiking onwards Every step radiating despair. Loss envelopes these people Heavily permeating the atmosphere In which they flee Away from their persecutors. Eyes, bearing acrimony, disgust Admonishingly burn into my skull Choking me in guilt Screaming what their mouths are forbidden. Eyes, possessing plentiful power Power to strangle me with remorse Yet insufficient to bruise Mirror the emotions of my heart. But I hold no authority Choosing the easy escape of blame, I crumple the packet in my fist Still, it... bothers me.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 3 Poetry

EXCERPTS FROM ‘THE LIFE OF ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES’ They come to this country in great need of peace, But we detain them in prisons and throw away the key, They wait in hope that the government will grant their release, They’ve been punished unjustly yet nobody sees, Come wondering through each night with no family, This is the life of asylum seekers and refugees. … Bleeding wounds and deep cuts on both his knees, So tired from travelling he can barely breathe, We send him to camp and then let him be, Cant he stay here with us? It’s been tough enough, Yet they’re as silent as night, their hands still in cuffs, And we’re not even aware that this injustice exists, This is the life of asylum seekers and refugees.

THE UNDERTONES Sad blues, Vibrant greens, Misty oranges, Pale purples, Golden yellows and Rustic reds. I’d like to think I’m like a canvas of colour, But In reality, I’m the undertones. The shades of black and midnight blues, Faded greys and murky hues, They make up the background beneath. The loud colours go on top, But the background remains at the bottom, Sinking into an abyss of darkness.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 3 Poetry

KE Y STAGE 3 SHORT STORIES EXCERPTS FROM ‘ANTIQUES’ Gently the snow fell, like little cotton balls, on a small, deserted village. Just yesterday the sun was shining and robins were sat on branches tweeting harmoniously. However, today the river was a sheet of twinkling diamonds, the bridge became a slide of ice and the local park was a winter wonderland. A bright white sky was laid out above the quaint houses, which were wrapped up in a cold blanket of snow. Very few people were out, except for the joyful children who laughed and played in the snow together. … Everyday Asher would take the same route to school: down the cobbled street, across the bridge and up the small hill. Today, was the same as any other day, but when she’d reached the hill, Asher noticed a new shop. It was never there yesterday, how could it have opened so quickly? Curiously, Asher walked up to the mysterious store. Above the shop a discoloured sign creaked on the posts which held it up, it read ‘Antiques.’ Clearing her icy breath on the window so she could peer in, Asher pressed her face against the frosty glass. The shelves appeared dusty and old, filled with second-hand antiques. Asher looked up at the town bell, there was still 15 minutes until school, she’d have time to briefly look around and return on her way to school. Apprehensively Asher approached the shop door, cautiously she pushed the heavy wooden door, but to her surprise it gave away easily. Ding! Looking up, Asher saw a rusty, golden bell shaking above her. As her gaze turned to the counter, she realized there was no one there, no shopkeeper? Steadily, she walked around the different shelves. Some had clay ornaments and vases, some had good-luck charms and others had ticking clocks. One shelf however caught Asher’s attention; it was a very peculiar shelf indeed. Creepy miniature Russian dolls were stacked upon the chalky shelf. Each one was different from the other, but they were all neatly placed like a lifeless collection of children.

EXCERPT FROM ‘FRIENDLY GHOST’ One dark spooky night, mist and fog hung over the haunted castle. In the castle there was a ghost who lived there by himself. He was lonely and had no one came to the castle for him to scare. He was unemployed with nothing to do. He needed people to come to the haunted castle, so he had to devise a plan to bring people in. All night and all day, the ghost did brainstorms and mind maps to come up with a plan. Then one day he decided to have an open day at the haunted castle. He decided to invite the whole community. He organised a tour of the haunted castle and a barbeque. He started making the castle scarier hoping the people would be impressed. In the evening he made lots of invites and went and gave them to all the houses.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 3 Short Stories

EXCERPT FROM ‘NOBODY NOTICED’ This time it was Angela’s turn to interrupt in the sarcastic mock tone she uses much too often, “Miss Abbot, obviously that simply sounds positively unbearable… to listen to for any longer which, lucky for me, doesn’t need to happen because there goes the clock. Good Riddance!” And with that she hung up, collected her purse and phone, and signed out for the shift. Her reflection in the murky, rain drenched window almost shocked hersunken brown eyes, unruly hair increasingly becoming greyer- she wasn’t her anymore. The sun had set hours prior, due to come back up in a short while yet the only guidance Angela’s Ford Fiesta had were the dim cat eyes of the A-fifty whatever. Obsessively, she’d tell herself she hadn’t a clue why she was going where she was, other than the fact it beat driving the dodgy streets near work, but she knew, deep down that her desire to look around in the higher-class estates wasn’t to ridicule but to gawk in vain. She forced herself to believe poking fun at all the overly excessive riches the aristocrats flaunted was completely fine. Besides, it’s not as if an office worker selling counterfeit pills to the elderly is going to be able to afford any of those luxuries, so why not make them seem undesirable? But it was dreadfully desirable, and Angela wanted the huge houses, the fast cars. She wanted the feeling of stability. To be secure, even if it was just once.

EXCERPTS FROM ‘THE JOURNEY HOME’ Ray’s head was spinning. She felt like she was going to throw up. Her stomach churned and her legs turned to jelly. She couldn’t believe what she had just seen. It felt like the slap had struck her. She felt like the cold winter wind had stolen her breath. She felt weak but forced herself to stumble away from her friend’s house. She pressed her hand against her mouth, desperately trying to stop the flood of tears that threatened to explode. The journey home seemed to take forever. … A few hours later she woke up feeling exhausted and drained. She thought of how Kaz must be feeling and this galvanised her into action. She had to get to school to talk to her friend. To comfort her. To help her. Breakfast was a blur and she slipped out of the door and headed to school. It was a crisp, cold morning and she could see the strands of her breath curling out in front of her. A coat of white frost covered the grass, glinting in the sunlight. As she walked she began to have doubts. What am I going to say to Kaz? When she got to the school gates her knees shook slightly but she took a deep breath and then her resolve returned. She steadied her knees and marched towards her locker in the corridor of D-block. She put her books in the locker and closed it. She turned and saw Kaz approaching. Their eyes met. Kaz attempted a half-hearted smile. Her brow furrowed slightly as she tried to read the expression on Ray’s face. All the indecision and fear that Ray had been experiencing was written all over her face. At that moment there seemed to be an electric current that passed through their gaze. A transfer of knowledge. Then Kaz understood. She realised that Ray knew. And then she melted into her arms and began to sob.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 3 Short Stories

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE WORLD IS WAKING UP’ My legs ache and instantly the treehouse appears before my eyes. Sighing with relief, I close my eyes and set Cayden down on the crackling ground. The hollow entrance of the trunk rattles as I knock the hidden door open and reach in with a frail brown hand, which comes back out grasping a large tin of pineapple. I hammer the lid open with a blunt rock and pour the juice into Cayden’s mouth, then mine. I lift out a ring and the sweetness clashes with the salty blandness I have gotten used to. I shut my eyes and sink my teeth into the soft yellow flesh. Cayden grabs a handful from the tin then scampers up the tree, his hands grazing as they are scratched against the thick bark. I watched him climb as sure footed as a monkey, instantly overwhelmed with wonder and pride, the first time he had ever climbed. ... I grin apologetically and then lie down, shut my eyes and almost fade out of this world with relaxation. My brother runs about and then finally sits beside me, his fingers drumming constantly on his thighs. We sit for half an hour of peace, my brother occasionally getting up. I lift open my heavy eyelids when my brother slaps me in the face, hard. I turn on him, my face a painting of fury and annoyance until an eerie, cooing whisper reached my ears. “Upppppppp.” it purrs softly. Taking the hint, I squint up. In the sky, miles away, a colossal, frothing wall of white and blue appears. My mind doesn’t process it at first, and every part of my body freezes. “Cayden! Get out of the tree!” He looks at me confused, looks up and freezes, his jaw dropping wide open and his knees knocking together with terror. I knock him out of the tree and jump out myself, moving at a speed I would have normally thought impossible. Cayden lands with one foot twisted at an awful angle and a dull crack rings though my ears as Cayden’s face is warped with agonising pain. I lift him up, screaming, trying to release the fear and pain for my brother.

KE Y STAGE 3 JOURNALISM EXCERPTS FROM ‘CODE RED FOR HUMANITY’ It is 2050. The air is heavy, hot and humid; pollution is visibly covering the sky like a shield, except it’s not protecting the earth. It’s destroying it. A dry cough echoes in the room and a specially designed face-mask is placed on a table not too far from the door. You sit on a chair, afraid to go outside, fearful of the senses you might experience. Quickly, your eyes start to water. The news shows that yet another country is flooding. Then, it flashes again and a different nation this time is burning. It’s too late now… … The study affirms that every region on the planet is already affected by rising temperatures. The annual international temperatures presently are warmer than they were during “the warmest multi-century period in at least the last 100,000 years.” Scientists say that the extent and speed of how the climate is changing is unlike anything humans have seen in centuries and in some cases thousands of years. Rising temperatures make extreme weather occur more often. The fires, floods and droughts areas worldwide are experiencing are directly linked to emission of greenhouse gases. An example of this were the wildfires, in July and August 2021, that burnt 1600 square kilometres of land in Turkey. Immediately after this, in early August, heavy flash floods devastated the country. Additionally, extreme sea level events are projected to occur at least annually at more than half of tidal gauge locations by 2100. These have occurred approximately once a century in the past.

EXCERPT FROM ‘NATURAL CHOICES’ Heatwaves are causing wildfires that are wreaking havoc across large swathes of the planet. Widespread flooding is destroying homes making life a misery for many people. Climate change is fast becoming the number one issue. Analysts predict that things will get worse until we change the way we live. Our children will inherit these problems but how do we prepare them for this terrifying future? The UK is preparing to host COP26, the foremost climate change forum that will bring together world leaders, scientists, environmentalists and ecologists to agree what needs to be done to heal our planet. We ask where is the Muslim voice in this debate? What does our faith say about these issues? Most importantly, what action do we need to take to address these problems? We sent our reporter to the Oxfordshire countryside to find answers to these questions. I’ve come to Willowbrook Farm in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside and I’ve fallen in love. This farm has an amazing story that everyone must hear. One family has built a home, a way of life and a community that has the potential to transform the way we think and behave towards nature. It is managed by the Radwan family and their mission is to produce organic food through sustainable means. I spoke to two members of the family, Dr Lutfi and his son Khalil to learn about their journey. When I arrive Khalil is explaining how to coppice and pollard trees to a group of visitors. Two children are sword fighting using willow sticks. Others are trying to climb the trees. A few people are having breakfast in the cafe. Some families are sitting on picnic tables set outside waiting for the Farm Tour to begin. It is busy. Seventy people have joined the open session today compared to the usual average of around fifty. People want to connect with nature and the farm provides the perfect family-friendly environment. Mustafa, a Pharmacist from Weybridge in Surrey has come with his family: ‘I’m really interested in how they do things here. The spiritual connection is the most important thing for me.’

EXCERPT FROM ‘SCHOOL ABLAZE’ The local community of Greeningtown has been left devasted after a schoolteacher burned down the local school and attacked school children in a fit of manic rage. The horrific event occurred in the afternoon when most children left for the day. Four fire engines came to the scene to try and stop the fire, but to no avail. The fire spread too quickly, reducing the school to rubble. Teachers tried to put the fire out, but they were overcome by the intense heat and smoke. Most of the teachers were left with first or second degree burns and were also being treated for smoke inhalation at the Greeningtown Hospital. Nine pupils are in hospital with bite and claw mark and are in Intensive Care. Experts estimate that Mrs Alipac has caused 6 fatalities, numerous injuries, and damages of over 5 million pounds. The teacher in question is history teacher, Mrs Alipac, an experienced teacher of 20 years who according to some witnesses was married to her job. She was detained yesterday evening for 1st degree manslaughter and arson, however she escaped and is on the loose. Jody, a pupil at the school said “Mrs Alipac drank 7 cups of coffee in the final lesson and spilt the last cup on herself, she was furious. We dare not talk otherwise we would have seen her rage”. Some pupils claim, she began twitching and muttering vacantly soon after the spill. Then when the bell rang at 3pm, she roared at them to leave. According to eye witnesses she lunged towards a Year 8 student who asked her if she was ok. She then clawed and bit the student who later passed away in hospital from her injuries.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 3 Journalism

EXCERPTS FROM ‘THE LOST GENERATION’ woke up abruptly for another busy day at school as the screeching alarm penetrated my ears. Rolling over, I plucked my computer from under the bed and switched it on. Thank goodness, I had made it just in time- the register was being taken. That is how, in March 2020, thousands of school children across the country started their academic term. A new way of learning was unfolding- right in the middle of a crisis that was gripping the world. This was the month that the UK population was strongly advised by an increasingly concerned Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to stay at home and cease social contact. The virus was burning through the country causing daily deaths in staggering numbers and strict measures had to be undertaken to combat the spread and save lives. School closures were one of the actions instigated, and all teaching bar those for key worker children was converted to online. For many adolescents like myself, navigating life through lockdown was challenging, maintaining a semblance of normality became the main aim. For us, schools are the pulsating hub of our lives. They are the centre point of learning as well as the place where we socialise with our friends and peers. … It was certainly more difficult to engage with studies online; it was tough to create the unique classroom atmosphere in one’s own bedroom. With toys scattered around the room, digital devices within temptingly easy reach and the constant humdrum of family life in the background all causing great distraction from learning.

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE ARE GONE. IT’S TIME TO BRING THEM BACK’ The population of Yemen recorded in 2019, was 29.16 million people. Before and after then, more than 3 million children have been malnourished. The average child should drink 1 litre of water, yet what they are drinking is dirty water. The Yemen crisis has taken more than 17, 500 civilians’ lives from the people of Yemen. As well as this, more than 20 million people in Yemen are experiencing food insecurity and starvation from the war. It took, and is still, taking many lives away. In the UK, awareness has decreased massively on this crisis. A survey set up by The Independent showed that a shocking 49% of the British people were unaware of this ongoing conflict. That alone has alarmed people like me. How are the people of Yemen going to gain back rights if one of the leading countries on the planet has a population blind of its pure companions’ fate? People are consistently crying out for help urgently and even though the UN have taken swift actions on this descending emergency, I feel that the work is not finished. All of these events epitomise the rights that have continuously been broken and teared to shreds yet there still is a way to revive our liberty. And it can all start with our youth!

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 3 Journalism

KE Y STAGE 3 PL AY SCRIPT EXCERPT FROM ‘ALAN AND THE A GRADE’ ALAN’S MUM: ALAN go to your room and do your homework! (ALAN groans) ALAN: I Know, I Know... “Do Your Homework.” Work, Work, Work... All I Ever Do Is Work. (ALAN takes a history book out of his backpack and reads “HENRY VIII had 6 wives and …” (Two hours later) ALAN: He established his own church because the Pope wouldn’t let him divorce. He was very arrogant... ALAN: What an amazing story! (ALAN closes the book and goes to sleep) SCENE 2: The day of the test (Bell ringing) MR POTTER: All right class, remove all your books from the table and get ready for the test. ALAN: TEST! MR POTTER: Yes, I remind everyone about the test. Sit down and let me hand it out. (ALAN slips on the wet floor) ALAN: Whoa! MR POTTER: ALAN, how about you sit over there next to ARTHUR? ALAN: Do I still have to do the test? What if I hurt my brain? MR POTTER: Don’t exaggerate, you only fell on your back (The class do the test and hand the papers back to MR POTTER) JAY: That test was impossible! Olivia: I know! Name the 6 wives of King Henry VIII? ALAN: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr. ARTHUR: How did you know all of them? ALAN: I’m not sure, I think those memories weren’t damaged when I fell over MR POTTER: Well done ALAN, this is your best test mark ever! ALAN: This can’t be my test; it has an A* on it

VI CONVIENE Act 1 Scene 1 (The scene is set in a small dark corridor with no windows and dim lighting. The walls are black but there is a translucent glass door at the front, next to which Naghma is standing.) OFF STAGE WHISPER: (Quietly) Open it. (Silence) OFF STAGE WHISPER: (Quietly but urgently) Open it! (Silence) OFF STAGE WHISPER: (Loudly and urgently) OPEN IT!

(Naghma opens the door to an unbelievable scene. Her street is full of people screaming and running around frantically. The sky is black, with a huge black hole in the centre, which is drawing everything around it. She looks to the side and sees her neighbour screaming as their body is sucked up to the sky and into the black hole.) NEIGHBOUR: (Screaming) HELP M-

(The neighbour vanishes into the hole.) NAGHMA: (Anxiously and shocked, shouting at a moderate volume while staring at where the neighbour was standing.) Bilal! Bilal come here! (No response.) NAGHMA: (Standing still but looking around, shouting desperately and more anxiously than earlier) Bilal! Bilal where are you? (There is no response. She starts running around in a frenzy, going up to people shouting her brother’s name, but each one gets sucked into the black hole before they can answer.) NAGHMA: (Screaming) BILAL! BILAL! BILAL WHERE ARE YOU? (No response. Naghma crumples to the ground in agony.) NAGHMA: (Still screaming, also sobbing) BILA(Someone taps on her back) NAGHMA: (She turns around slowly, still sobbing. However, when she sees her mother (whom she refers to as ‘Modar’ (Dari), she has a shocked expression on her face.) Modar?

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 3 Play Script

KE Y STAGE 3 SCRE EN PL AY EXCERPT FROM ‘A TEST OF FAITH’ MIKA You don’t need to protect me, save your energy for later. ASHLA Ok, but keep your guard up. Shinobi are fast. The sound of a blown horn is HEARD and a male voice is heard from the nearby loudspeaker. MALE VOICE [O.S] 2 prisoners have escaped. I repeat-2 prisoners have escaped. The commander has ordered that All shinobi should search the building and rendezvous in the courtyard. This is a red alert warning, I repeat- a red alert warning. ASHLA The gate,there. I’ll go first. Ashla starts climbing up a towering wall with her bare arms. Mika follows slowly behind her. CUT TO: 5 shinobi wearing billowing robes, stealthily run across the concrete courtyard. One of the shinobi aims a laser arrow at MIKA. INTERCUT TO MIKA: As MIKA is halfway up the gate, the arrow lunges into her back and she falls helplessly back down. INTERCUT TO SHINOBI: The firing shinobi spreads an evil smile across his pale face and in a flash he and the others speed across to the gate. INTERCUT TO MIKA: MIKA lands on her chest and she spits blood out of her mouth. MIKA [Trying to stand] ASH-LA. Help..Help me.

EXCERPTS FROM ‘DOLLS VS HUMANS’ Scene 1: NARRATOR: FAR FAR AWAY LIVED A SMALL VIBRANT VILLAGE FILLED WITH PECULIAR DOLLS NAMED HAPPY VALLEY, BUT IT WAS NOT ALWAYS THAT. LET’S START RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN DOLLS AND HUMANS HAD PEACE BETWEEN THEM UNTIL A MAN WENT CRAZY SPREADING RUMOURS THAT DOLLS WERE NOT GOOD AND TURNING PEOPLE AGAINST THEM VILLAGER 1: HAVE YOU HEARD, DOLLS ARE CORRUPTING OUR MINDS AND ARE HERE TO TAKE OVER THE VILLAGE, ALL OUR CROPS AND COWS WILL BE GONE! VILLAGER 2: OH, THAT’S HORRIBLE WE CAN’T JUST STAND HERE AND NOT REACT I TOOK ALL MY CHILD’S DOLLS ALWAYS AND THREW THEM OUT FOR THE PIGS TO EAT, POOR TOMMY WILL CRY BUT ITS ONLY BECAUSE I CARE VILLAGER 3: THAT’S NOTHING WE NEED TO SAVE OUR VILLAGE AND TELL THE KING! STEPHEN THE GREAT: DID I HEAR THAT YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE KING WELL I AM HIS BEST KNIGHT, AND I CAN DELIVER YOUR CRUCIAL MESSAGE TO HIM. … SCENE 2: NARRATOR: TIME WENT ON AND SLOWLY SLOWLY BAD PEOPLE BANISHED DOLLS FROM THEIR HOMES, BUT GOOD PEOPLE STRIVED TO MAKE DOLLS AND HUMANS TOGETHER IN HARMONY BUT UNFORTUNATELY FAILED DAD: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! YOU…… DOLL! (THROWS DOLL ON THE STREET) SABRINA: OW! UGH! GROSS THE FLOOR IS DISGUSTING AND TOTALLY RUINS MY MAKEUP HALIMA: IS THAT SERIOUSLY WHAT YOU’RE WORRYING ABOUT WE HAVE JUST BEEN THROWN OUT BY OUR OWNERS WE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO, ITS DEFINITLEY BECAUSE OF THE RUMOURS I HEARD THE PARENTS SAY-

EXCERPT FROM ‘ZODIAC ZOO’ GRACE, MELANIE, LARA, VICKY, PRIMROSE, ANNA, CAT, STELLA, SARAH, LUCY and GEMMA are standing together by the school entrance, while the rest of the school are in their own groups. GRACE: What took you so long? Having a Godzilla tea-party or something? JASMINE: Oi, no need to be cocky! YASMINE: Miss Nova asked us to check where you were, did you even give back those keys? LARA: Yeah, actually, I don’t remember you coming back at all! GRACE (grinning): Only if you promise not to tell! YASMINE rolls her eyes, wishing she could leave. JASMINE (quietly): You can go if you want, I’m staying. YASMINE: Fine! Everyone gathers in a little closer so others can’t hear, despite this being ineffective. GRACE: Well… I went to her car, and I got the second handbag, and I did give it to her! But she probably forgot she left a whole stash of chocolates near the front seat! So… as you can imagine, I just had a couple… GEMMA (whispering): Judging by how long she took, I wouldn’t say a fewGRACE: OI! This is my story! YASMINE: Well, you shouldn’t have eaten them! She’ll probably see there’s less chocolates in the box, you’ll get in trouble judging by how strict she is!

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KE Y STAGE 4 POETRY EXCERPT FROM ‘HOW CAN YOU SLEEP’ As pain glides through my soul My body burns like coal Innocent fragile surrounded my misery and control Beaten by barbarians, bleeding and bruised But still, we carry on; it’s what we do. Nothing is left but lifeless bodies and remains scattered on the annihilated ground. I yearn for a mother’s soft touch as I long for a father’s pride to keep me from falling. Nothing is the same we can say our family chain is forever broken And I wonder, only wonder Why have they spilled thunder and blood into our land?

EXCERPT FROM ‘IMMIGRANTS AGAIN’ He’s drenched and dripping in dirt, sweat and rain as he sprints across the lawn, boots squelching through the mud. The crowd roars the anthem with joviality and joy. It calls its citizens to arms. He’s French. She’s draped in cerise ceremonial robes that are trimmed with gold, when she addresses the crowd with eloquent encouragement. Her name is butchered with a clear confidence But they insist this with pride: she’s American. But when I sit with my coin-coloured braids, Talking to family in our tongue and our slang, We’re followed by worn faces with disdain and disgust And told to go home. We’re Nigerian. And when he goes home after losing, dejected, on the Metro, It’s not the uniform and the mistake drink-dazed men see But the bristly beard that brushes the ground five times a day, Painting him as a target. He’s Moroccan. And when she begs for a system that’ll save her family from being pushed by plane from the only home they know They hear her soft Spanish lilt and are filled with rage At these ‘country-thieves’. She’s Honduran. When we’re succeeding, we’re one of them, but when we aren’t, we’re immigrants again.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 4 Poetry

PALACE WALLS Collapsed balancing palace walls, Render a shield, Concealing all pledges, vows overheard By these perished walls, Like flesh that sits silently on Battered land as a showpiece, These palace walls live as a site of attraction too, The pride and honor, Are these great sloping palace walls. The pride and honor of Great Britain after all, People travel, yearn, and long to see the skin Of these great palace walls, Why not invite them to see what’s enclosed within this Crafty wretched, spectacle? Assembled by the bitten paw of a serf. Manufactured. Filled with echoes and voices of those unaccounted, And it exists as a standing ovation For those exploited men who Fought for the owner of these palace walls, Our Great Great palace walls.

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE EXTRACT’ It’s full of Jade and Beryl and Eucalyptus, the kind of things you’d expect to see at the back of soap and shampoo bottles, the kind of things you read about in one of those glossy magazines from the convenience store. I’ll close the hardback, watch the pages ripple as they fold over one another, close; latch, and press the crumbling spine against the warmth of my lips, sipping in little lungfuls of loveliness; then I’ll gather the letters up and with them in my palm, I’ll look down, down, and etch the letters in, fold them gently over the curve of my beating heart. Then I’ll wake in the dead of night in a cold, cold sweat with the half-sentences still drifting lazily in the back of my mind like the dandelion does through the air. Lullaby.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 4 Poetry

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE LOST PIECE’ The red scars in the morning sky Bleed ceaselessly, Their droplets outnumbering Death ` s history. The women and children Cry wearisomely, Each tear drying meticulously, Until only a breath remains, Praying: when will this end? The Ones in power smile benevolently At the plight of those who cry abundantly. I ask myself today, asking “Where is the essence of humanity?” Smoke clouds form from the Eastern End “What golden dreams will they hope to achieve If they arrive at the Western End?” A Brighter Future they are promised, By Older Generations, As they risk their lives For the unknown-

KE Y STAGE 4 SHORT STORIES EXCERPT FROM ‘DIARIES OF AN AMNESIC BIOWEAPON’ “Excuse me,” I whispered meekly, “May I ask a few ques…” She ran out the room before I could finish my sentence.Shock followed by acceptance. Those were the feelings she experienced. The woman had been surprised at seeing me in a conscious state. This meant I had been asleep for a considerable amount of time. Exactly 3 minutes later she came back in followed by a doctor. He wore glasses and looked very messy. His hair was untidy and eyebags rested in their place. His eyes were brimming with excitement though. With his clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other, he almost looked more like a scientist rather than a doctor. “Thank the heavens,” he cried, “You’re awake Mel, it looks like the experiment was a success. Now we have the most dangerous bio-weapon in the world. Not a single person can mess with us anymore. No one can call me crazy and whoever does can just die. This is so exciting.” “I’m sorry sir. I’m a little confused. Who are you?” A dark shadow cast over his face. The cheerfulness had melted and all that was left was frustration. He whispered a few words to the nurse and then they both looked at me. “Do you remember anything, child?” the nurse asked signalling towards me. I just shook my head. “Well, this is quite the problem, isn’t it professor?” She looked at the man mockingly. By now I was certain I was not in a hospital and that these two were not a doctor and a nurse. The lady had a higher standing while the man was merely her puppet whom she used to amuse herself.

EXCERPT FROM ‘GRANDMOTHER’ My grandmother was a woman with an arching back and wrinkles covering her body. Near the upper corner of her lip was a small wart that sat there. Her forehead was on the larger side, as was her nose, so her eyebrows were pushed close to her beady black eyes, making her face constantly look angry. Her jawline was soft, but she had beautifully high cheek bones that made her look elegant even when she was nearing 60. She could only speak Hindko and I could barely speak and understand it but that never stopped our conversations from taking place. “Farah! Come here, hold the bag for me!” she called, and I wandered over to her, lollipop in my chubby hand, going back, putting it in the trolley before coming to her side. She plucked a hand full of fat green chillies and dropped them inside the clear white plastic I gripped onto with both hands. “Good girl. Go give them to your Ammi.” She smiled and a shiver of pride ran through me—when she was laughing it was usually at me because that’s just how Asian grandmothers were; always complaining about their high blood pressure and the pain in their joints but rarely would she talk about how good a child I was. Instead, she’d compare me to Soraiya or the neighbours’ children. Her smile was something beautiful, something ethereal. Even if she had lost half her teeth, even if her cheeks would sag more, there was a little glimmer in those small black eyes, this silver light that she shone only to me because no matter how much we fought, no matter how much work Soraiya did, I was still her favourite.

EXCERPT FROM ‘RED’ There was a storm brewing when I set off to Gran’s cottage, way off at the edge of the forest, at the base of the mountain. There were large and angry clouds gathering, pushing and shoving each other furiously. I smiled to myself. It looked like rain; calm, cold, cool rain. I absolutely loved it. I drew my kimono closer around me all the same. The wind was biting like a rabid dog. What I didn’t absolutely love was the hurried secrecy in which my parents had sent me. “Go quickly to your gran, and give her this box. It has all the provisions she needs. I would make the journey myself, but I must finish our last shawarma bundle order, and your father is busy gardening. I must say, business is booming! Remember, if someone tries to kidnap you, use your red belt in karate” my mum advised me. She quickly ushered me out “be safe!” I was super curious to find put why the urgency. I knew gran was sick, which was unusual in itself, as she never got sick. Seriously, it was like she wasn’t in her late 70s at all. She regularly goes skydiving, surfing, skiing, skateboarding and more. She has 8 million subscribers on her travel blogging WeTube channel, and she founded the multi million business SheepDollz. All this means she is usually pretty healthy, but she had recently caught a cold, and was bedridden. Of course, I wanted to help, but also, I was curious about the box. It was a small one, the sides made of willow. The top and bottom seemed to be made of sarnie wood. I shook it and heard a rattle that sounded like anti-virals or something. I was unaware at the time of what would happen...

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 4 Short Stories

EXCERPT FROM ‘SEQUELAE’ “It’s fine. I’m leaving now. Thank you.” Eli stepped off the bus three stops earlier than planned and hurried towards the school, trying to make sure he didn’t start panicking as well. He hated the idea of Eldon being so upset - he hadn’t broken down like this in months - but also feared the attention it would bring. What if they were taken into care? Worse still, what if someone discovered his crime and they were separated for good? When he got to the medical room, Eldon was pressed against the wall, hugging his legs to his chest and sobbing into his knees. Eli whispered his name, and he lifted his head and reached for him wordlessly. It was just like when he was younger and wailing over a grazed knee or a lost toy, or an unprovoked beating. Eli lifted him up and held him to his chest, ignoring the fact that he wasn’t as light as a five-year-old anymore. Mrs Hurl had appeared and was explaining what had happened, recommending that Eldon get some sleep, lots of comfort and maybe even a break from school. Eli listened and thanked her, rubbing Eldon’s back as his sobs began to dissolve into quiet snores. Before he could leave, however, his former teacher leaned closer to whisper something. “Why aren’t you in school?”

EXCERPT FROM ‘TSUNAMI’ “Ah Meishu Tsunami!” Chief Hikaru beams and ushers me towards the table. I take my seat and look at the papers laid out in front of me. From the looks of it, it’s plans to build a new hospital on the Western Coast of Kiyoto. The Council wait silently for me to take it all in and then Haru shoots his hand up. “Meishu, the Akuma are not stopping, they’re still attacking the Western Coast. We’ve lost one thousand soldiers in the last week and we’ve had to evacuate all those unable to fight to the South.” I frown. I thought it’d be something like this. A month ago, reports of the Akuma attacking villagers on the Western Coast began flooding in. It was strange, the Akuma haven’t attacked in three hundred years but the reports stated it was a small number and that all the Sei needed was a few gifted soldiers to fight back. A week later, a hundred of my soldiers were dead and I had no other choice but to send five hundred. And now, one thousand of my soldiers are dead and we don’t even have time to mourn. This problem is obviously larger than I first thought. “Kocho, I would like you to take three of your best flyers and scout the Western Coast. I want accurate numbers of the Akuma and their exact co-ordinates by Suiyōbi. Haru and Rai, I would like you to carry out the building of the new hospital, but I would like it to be built further inland so the chances of the Akuma attacking it are lower. Yumie, I would like you to gather as many skilled Dokueki as you can and teach them how to safely extract and then transport venom to the weapons department. The rest of you, continue to keep me updated on the new trainees and help the evacuees get settled. Thank you.”

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 4 Short Stories

KE Y STAGE 4 JOURNALISM EXCERPTS FROM ‘NHS’ This is clearly shown in the COVID-19 pandemic through the disparities that ethnic minorities have had to face. In the current climate of a pandemic, this is extremely upsetting as this is when people need most support. … Why is it that when it comes to satisfaction with primary care services, 45% of Pakistanis replied “no” compared to 24% of White respondents? There is no justification for inequalities; we must take immediately. In my personal opinion, I believe that this problem roots from many different areas. Many may blame problems on the lack of health literacy within the BAME community however although this is a contributing factor, there are also other factors that contribute such as the lack of representation for ethnic minorities in the academia of medicine. More importantly, it is the impact of health inequalities on patients that has many consequences. For example, this mistreatment can cause BAME patients to feel more worried and anxious about receiving treatment and subsequently can cause mental health issues. … It may be a hidden fact to many, however in medicine, topics are often taught with a very narrow ethnic lens which results in a hindrance to the progression against racial prejudice. An example of this ethnic lens is the study of Kawasaki disease – a disease which presents differently on darker skin but is taught predominantly on lighter/white skin.

EXCERPTS FROM ‘NOT MY CHILD’ The parents, huddled together and discussing their beloved children, watch Hassan out of the corner of their eye. Their eyes glisten with a mixture of amusement, wonder and worry, but they tiptoe around the issue until someone speaks up. “What’s wrong with Hassan?” There is nothing ‘wrong’ with Hassan, of course, but he does have a condition. … But his parents giggle and wave it off. “He’s just like that,” they insist. And when the issue is raised again by grandparents, aunts and even nursery teachers, they deny it vehemently, going as far as to blame a bias against their son.

With a diagnosis, Hassan would still be able to line up his blocks and flap his hands whenever he was excited. He would still be the cheerful, affectionate child his parents know and adore. But he would also receive support to improve his speech and social skills, so that by the time the children start Reception, he could be on track with his peers. The diagnosis wouldn’t be showing a weakness, or admitting a failure. It would be a declaration of his parent’s unconditional love for him.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 4 Journalism

EXCERPT FROM ‘SHOULD WE BELIEVE IN HISTORY BOOKS’ The British Historian, Geoffrey Barraclough, writes “[history is] not factual at all, but a series of accepted judgments”. So, who makes these judgements? With regard to history books, historians are the novelists. This is where the problem of objectivism forms: the dilemma of the human. Humans, by nature, are subjective. That doesn’t mean we actively tend to distort reality, but rather, even on a subconscious level, we tend to be influenced. Within the epistemological paradigm, the topic of bias is deeply traversed; we learn it is part of the evolutionary biological makeup of man, that he views the world from his perspective. With regard to interpretation, as E.H Carr points out: “The historian is necessarily selective. The belief in a hard core of historical facts existing objectively and independently of the interpretation of the historian is a preposterous fallacy”. To illustrate this, Susan A. Crane describes historians as “actors”, who “construct narratives”, about the past, “that would never exist without some amount of self-assertion, choice, desire, fortitude and above all, writing”. As she points out, the biggest factor in causing distortions is the very act of “writing”, the act of producing a book, or in other words, the act of adding a subjective perspective to history. Eurocentrism is a fitting example. Exhibited by historians who are admired and respected. For instance, Max Weber, who shows explicit remarks of prejudice in several of his works. He depicts non-Europeans as socially inferior, not containing the capacity to make rational decisions, and “despotic”. He awards European greatness to race (“differences in heredity”) and uniqueness in theology. This remained as “historical knowledge” for decades. This is not just a case of adding a subjective perspective, but an attestation that history books are influenced by the society they were forged in.

EXCERPTS FROM ‘THE UNDERVALUED TOPIC OF OVERPOPULATION‘ Many will say that this is a manmade issue and will question how humans could do this. Studies show that once the population hits 11- 12 billion. The food wantage will double and could result in the extinction of many species because of the high demand. Overpopulation is also present in rich counties that have high fertility rates. However, leaders don’t acknowledge it as much as they prefer to consider future that don’t depend on the continuation of growth. … What have we done to meet the demands of an ever-increasing population? Scientist have come up with many ideas such as selective breeding. … Genetic modification is another method where the desired gene is planted into an animal or plant for a higher yield so more people can be fed. This is not without criticism from groups like vegans as it can go against their ethical beliefs. Other countries may have different approaches such as China’s “one child policy” where the law used to be that they could only be one child per family.

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Key Stage 4 Journalism

KE Y STAGE 4 SCRE ENPL AY VAIKEAA AND THE IMAGINARIES INT. BEDROOM - EVENING We see a messy room with clothes and toys strewn everywhere. A girl of about eight named VAIKEAA, with a mane of curly hair and a vibrant pink T-shirt, lays on the bed, rapidly planning something. There are three creatures with her - CHARLO, HEARTSMOULD and ISA - who are brightly coloured and standing in different parts of the room, laughing and gesticulating wildly. Charlo is aquamarine and tall but his form is defined by jagged edges, Heartsmould is fuchsia and purple and adorned with several hearts and Isa is yellow with silver hair that covers her eyes. VAIKEAA What if we paint his diary orange? No, pink! He hates pink. HEARTSMOULD (in a high-pitched, scratchy voice) Yeah, that’s a great idea! CHARLO Why don’t we just give it to Apollo? ISA That seems like a step too far. We’re not that mean... They continue talking loudly. LEON, Vaikeaa’s eleven-year-old brother, opens the door and peers in, looking at Vaikeaa quizzically. When she notices him she immediately stops talking. The IMAGINARIES freeze but don’t disappear. LEON Who are you talking to, Vai? VAIKEAA Nobody. Go away, Leon!

MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS I always look forward to judging the Young Muslim Writers Awards’ journalism category as I get inspired by the work of the nominees. Once again, this year I was struck by the work of the talented young people – their creative and imaginative entries. My congratulations to all the nominees. The judging was difficult as they were all so inspiring - it was not easy to choose a winner. I hope they all pursue a journalistic career as they have a huge potential in this field. Journalists play an important role in society as they inform us on various issues and they hold governments to account. The Young Muslim Writers Awards is an important enterprise as it celebrates achievements of young Muslim writers. We need good news as it helps to counter negative stories. Ahmed J Versi Publisher and Editor, The Muslim News

I really enjoyed reading your entries and was SO impressed by the quality of writing. Your use of dialogue and description of characters was excellent for such young writers. You all have huge potential and I hope you’ll continue to write with such great imagination and flair. I wonder what you’ll come up with next year! A huge well done to all of you and CONGRATULATIONS for making the shortlist. A great achievement! A. M. Dassu Author

Congratulations to all the shortlisted writers – each year the level of word skill and page craft gets higher and higher. All of the five shortlisted poems are from deep emotions which connect with us all over the last lockdown year. Politics, social justice, the environment and family connections are among the issues addressed by our young writers. Richard Grant aka ‘Dreadlockalien’ Poet It has been an absolute honour to be part of the judging panel for this year’s YMWA. The quality of the writing as well as the outstanding knowledge and research presented by each of the shortlisted writers made this one of the most enjoyable, albeit difficult, judging experiences. The shortlisted writers covered a range of pressing topics, from the climate crisis to discrimination in healthcare and the impact of the pandemic on students. But despite the grave nature of these topics, the shortlisted writers presented work that was written with a level of clarity, deft and professionalism of a person far older than their years. It gives me great hope for the future of journalism in our country knowing that such talented young writers exist, and I cannot wait to open a newspaper, blog or website one day to see their names published under the pieces they have written so that the rest of the world can also bear witness to their talent and benefit from their impressive coverage. Fatima Said Content and Communications assistant, Amaliah

What an amazing array of voices and topics. It was powerful to see how the next generation interprets a moment in time and especially how they feel about the events of the past 18 months. These poems speak passionately about looking after our planet and ourselves and challenge the human race to do better. The vocabulary and formats worked effectively with the topics and I really appreciated the skill that went into writing them. Congratulations to everyone who took part and best of luck with their writing in the future. Gaby Morgan Editorial Director, Macmillan Children’s Books

I would love to send my congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Young Muslim Writers Awards. Writing is about expressing your thoughts, wishes, fears and talents. You should be very proud of yourselves. Hanzla Television producer

It was a pleasure and a privilege to read the poems of such articulate young writers. Each of them had something unusual and interesting to bring to the page, and the depth of feeling was unmissable. I loved seeing this combination of promise and skilful delivery. Well done and keep writing! Helena Nelson Editor, HappenStance Press

Dear writers, I am so proud of each and every one of you. You all have outstanding ability in capturing the reader with your emotive topics and using poetic features to enhance the story you are sharing. Keep writing, you have a gift to offer the world! Malika Peterborough Poet Laureate 2019-2021

Can I say a special thank you to all the Key Stage 1 entries this year. From many-horned unicorns to dazzling snakes, from exciting adventures in space to exhilarating clashes with yappy dogs and sycamore seeds that travel the world - these stories filled me with happiness. Writing for pleasure is so important and it was clear that the writers in this competition have a flair for writing and a pleasure for playing with language and words. Each one of you gifted me with a reading pleasure fuelled by your rich imaginings. Please keep writing and go on to share your stories with the rest of the world. Mathew Tobin Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Messages from Judges

The team at Islam Channel and I send our congratulations to all those who took part in this competition and to the final winners. The Young Muslim Writers Awards serves as an opportunity for our youth to be creative and showcase their talents to the world. It also serves as an important platform for nurturing skills and helping the youth to build on their achievements and influence them positively in becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Mohamed Ali Harrath Chief Executive Officer, Islam Channel Congratulations to all the young poets in this year’s anthology. You have filled me with hope for the future of poetry - with your passion, your words, and your skill. Keep writing and thank you for sharing your poetry - it was an honour to read it. Nadine Aisha Jassat Poet Photo Credit: Chris Scott

I would like to start by congratulating everyone that has been shortlisted. It has been wonderful to read your writing and get a glimpse of the talent we have within our communities. Your voice and your stories are important. Your outlook on the world and the authenticity it brings is vital. Within the world of film and television those stories are needed to fix the misrepresentation of our communities. You do that with your authentic voice. I can’t wait to see your name in the credits of movies and tv shows of the future. Raisah Ahmed Screenwriter and Director Huge congratulations to our shortlisted writers! I’m so delighted to celebrate you and your extraordinary work. Every writer has the most important job - we build understanding, we invite others into the worlds we weave, we write about all the ways we are different, and about everything we share. I’ll look forward to reading your work in the future - please keep writing! Dr. Roopa Farooki NHS Junior Doctor, author, and lecturer

Reading this year’s Muslim Hands’ Young Muslim Writers Awards competition entries has been such a humbling experience and I hope the openness and confidence demonstrated in each piece remains with the writers throughout their futures. I got humour, storytelling, great reportage, passion, insight and timely story selection with the bundle of journalism entries I received, and the winner has captured the elements I expect to read in an article published for the masses. The future does indeed look bright. Congratulations. Sophia Akram Freelance journalist and researcher

HIP HIP HOORAY! Congratulations on reaching the YMWA shortlist! It’s really not easy to write a brilliant short story and you deserve to feel very very VERY proud of yourself – WELL DONE! Sophie Kirtley Poet and children’s author

Huge congratulations to all the shortlisted writers. It is wonderful to be a part of your creative journey and to read your stories. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with your characters and being swept away to strange worlds on heart-stopping adventures, being hurled into the depths of horror and heart shattering grief and being soothed by skilfully retold fairy tales for our times. You rock! Keep reading, keep writing. Sumayya Lee Author

Judging the Young Muslim Writers Awards is one of the highlights of my year, and 2021 has proved to be no exception. Far from dampening these young voices, the pandemic seems to have made them more passionate than ever in calling for a more loving and equal world. Tim Robertson Chief Executive, The Anne Frank Trust UK

Chicken House is delighted to support the Young Muslim Writers Awards and we wish every shortlisted writer huge congratulations on their success. We urge you to nurture, explore and keep practising your writing talent – you never know where it may lead you! Writing is fun but it’s important, too; it’s through our creativity that we inspire, transport and offer fresh possibilities to ourselves and others. Chicken House

David Fickling Books send huge congratulations to everyone included in this year’s Young Muslim Writers Awards. We are delighted and honoured to be involved. We hope all young creators continue to feel inspired and inspire others, and make a difference to the world by telling and sharing stories. It’s so important and valuable to find your voice, and we hope to hear more about your wonderful work in the future! David Fickling Books

The Faber Children’s team would like to say a huge congratulations to all of the writers who entered this year’s Young Muslim Writers Awards. After such a strange and unprecedented couple of years, it’s even more important that you continue to share your unique and wonderful stories with the world. Many congratulations once again and wishing the very best to all of you future authors, poets, playwrights, journalists and screenwriters! Faber

Flame Tree Publishing would like to congratulate all participants of the 2021 Young Muslim Writers Award. What a terrific achievement of craft and imagination in writing! We are delighted to be part of such an incredible initiative, as we strive to work with different communities, encouraging new voices and emerging talents to express their love of language, knowledge and ideas – so keep making your voices heard! Flame Tree

Graffeg would like to congratulate everyone who entered their work for this year’s Young Muslim Writers Awards. We’re proud to support this fantastic award supporting talented young writers of all ages and encourage all who entered to keep reading and keep writing and spread your literary voice as far and wide as possible. Graffeg

Congratulations to the shortlisted writers of the 2021 Young Muslims Writers Award. We’ve loved reading all the engaging, creative stories. You should all be so proud of what you’ve achieved. Keep reading, writing and sharing your stories with the world. We cannot wait to see what’s next and wish you all the success in becoming the authors of tomorrow. Jacaranda Books

Piccadilly Press is delighted to be a part of an award, for the second time, that encourages and promotes child literacy within the Muslim community. Reading and writing are the building blocks of a child’s development. It’s their foundation for not only their learning but to also help them understand the world and people around them. We are so pleased to be supporting the Young Muslim Writers Awards again, and we hope you enjoy a copy of Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World by Konnie Huq. Piccadilly Press

Rainbows Toy Shop would like to send a huge congratulations to all of the participants of the Young Muslim Writers Awards. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to get involved with this excellent program and look forward to reading more of the creative writing from the wonderful writers. Rainbows Toy Shop

Young Muslim Writers Awards: Anthology 2021, Messages of Congratulations

Raintree would like to congratulate all the writers that have participated in this year’s Young Muslim Writers Awards. Here at Raintree, we believe that reading is for everyone. We really value the chance to celebrate and champion diversity across the industry and are honoured to be able to encourage the next generation of young readers and writers to explore their creativity. We hope you keep writing more fascinating stories and poems and we can’t wait to read them! Raintree The whole team at the Salariya Book Company would like to congratulate the writers shortlisted for the Young Muslim Writers Awards this year. We are proud to support a project promoting inclusivity and diversity in the creative arts, and we are excited to see what these talented writers do next! Salariya Book Company

Sweet Cherry Publishing would like to congratulate all the young writers who have made their voices heard in this anthology. As a publisher who champions diversity in storytelling, it is an honour for us to support initiatives like the Young Muslim Writers Award to inspire a new generation of readers and writers. We hope you continue to write and share your stories with the world, and we look forward to seeing your work published in the future! Sweet Cherry Publishing

Waw Stories would like to congratulate the shortlisted writers as well as those who were brave enough to enter! We are proud to be involved this year and to help celebrate Young Muslim writing. We publish powerful tales from Muslim and Middle Eastern cultures and we tell stories in a positive, uplifting and multi-layered way. We believe this work is worthwhile and we encourage you to continue telling your stories. Undoubtedly your writing will contribute to a world in which our Muslim heritage and creativity can be celebrated. We hope you enjoy your copy of An Ocean in One Drop. Waw Stories

2022

AGED 5 TO 16? WANT TO SHARE YOUR WRITING WITH OUR JUDGES? ENTER THE COMPETITION FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! YMWA.ORG.UK

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Young Muslim Writers Awards Anthology 2021

Articles inside

MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS

KS4 SCREENPLAY

KS4 JOURNALISM

KS4 SHORT STORIES

KS4 POETRY

KS3 SCREENPLAY

KS2 SHORT STORIES

KS3 PLAY SCRIPT

KS3 JOURNALISM

KS2 POETRY

KS3 SHORT STORIES

KS3 POETRY

MEET THE JUDGES

KS1 SHORT STORIES