Rahma

“If there is one thing my parent's life has taught me, it's that it takes resilience and hard work to get anywhere in life.”

Rahma is 37, works with the Government of Alberta in Human Services, and is as an author of diverse children’s literature. She has self-published two children's books featuring black Muslim families. She told me, “I am passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in children's books. I visit schools, libraries and literary events to read my books and address the importance for children to see themselves in the books they read. I have also spoken at TEDx Talk, been invited at many events both locally and across Canada to share my story as an immigrant child, and the reason why I decided to write my books featuring a double minority family.” When she is not working at her day job or writing, she loves to spend any time that’s left reading, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, as well working upcoming books she hopes to publish. She continued, “I don’t have a lot of free time for major hobbies at the moment since I have three kids but reading and writing is still a daily ritual. I also love going to libraries and visiting local farmers market with my kids.” Rahma’s proudest accomplishment is walking across the stage on her graduation day. She told me, “it was memorable because that day seemed almost impossible to me when I was young. When I came to Canada, I spoke no English and no French. No one in my family had ever finished school, both my parents quit school in their teens to work. So, there I was the first-generation graduate with honors receiving a degree with both official languages. The only thing I regret is not having my parents with me that day. Since I left for another city to finish my degree, they couldn’t travel to see me graduate. But they were with me in spirit, and they were so proud of how far I had come.” When I asked Rahma what her own favourite quality is she told me, “I always knew I was strong but what I love most about myself is my resilience and my perseverance. I believe in myself and I work hard until I achieve my goal. This a quality I have learned and inherited from my parents." 

Q&A Feature:

What is a fun fact about you that you haven’t told me yet?

 “I get my best ideas in the shower, I talk to myself out loud in order to make sense of events or arguments, and I am really good at picking up new skills online. I research endlessly, but then I implement it. I learned to make my own: soaps, diaper wipes, cleaning supplies, skincare butter, etc.”

Where is your favourite place to find yourself?

 “In bookshops, in libraries, or coffee shops. I love cozy and quiet places. I tend to shy away from busy and noisy places now. If I could stumble upon a quiet old family's own bookshop, I could spend the whole day there and never get bored.”