Rumaysa: A Fairytale: 1 (Rumaysa, 1)

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Sayed Mohammad Salem Moallemzadeh, Islamologist and religious leader of Cultural Foundation Sadeqia, The Hague, Netherlands Like any girl, I thoroughly enjoyed the Disney movies—particularly the princess ones. Though I wasn’t too fussed about representation at five years old, as I grew older, I yearned to see someone like myself in the media I consumed. Muslims today constitute almost a quarter of the world’s population, and yet it seems that the representation we routinely see resorts to pitiful stereotypes, both in media aimed at children and at adults. Dr. H.A. Hellyer / Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute, London / Professor, UTM Centre for Advanced Study of Islam, Science and Civilisation, Malaysia Taller than a grizzly bear when standing on its legs, Robert lived an incredible life and became a celebrity. This book offers fresh takes on three timeless fairy tales, imbued with a Muslim twist. Rumaysa finds herself ensnared in a tower within an enchanted forest, compelled to spin straw into gold after being taken from her parents by a witch. Her sole companion is Zabina, an owl (who was smashing - I would have liked them to stay in the story more). Whilst escaping, she encounters Suleiman, a lost boy on a magic carpet mission to rescue a princess captured by a dragon.

It was noticed that the Prophet, peace be on him, had a special compassion for Umm Sulaym and her family and when asked about it, he replied: "Her brother was killed beside me."This is gorgeous . . . three fairytales reimagined and woven together into a lyrical and funny treat. -- Sophie Wills, author of The Orphans of St Halibut's H]er favourite book, 'One Thousand and One Nights'...had beautiful drawings of palaces and animals, women in hijabs and men in magnificent robes. It was a relief to step into someone else's life and escape her tower room, if even just for a moment. 4.5 stars

What is it that really prevents you from accepting me, Umm Sulaym? Is it the yellow and the white metals (gold and silver)?" Abu Talhah and Umm Sulaym had an exemplary Muslim family life, devoted to the Prophet and the service of Muslims and Islam. The Prophet used to visit their home. Sometimes when the time of Prayer came, he would pray on a mat provided by Umm Sulaym. Sometimes also he would have a siesta in their house and, as he slept, she would wipe the perspiration from his forehead. Once when the Prophet awoke from his siesta, he asked: "Umm Sulaym, what are you doing?" "I am taking these (drops of perspiration) as a barakah (blessing) which comes from you ," she replied. Her most recent measurement confirmed that she stands at a towering 215.16 cm (7ft 0.7in), and her popularity has reached dizzying heights all over the world.We are horrified by the cold-blooded massacre of 50 peaceful Muslim worshippers, including women and children, in Christchurch, New Zealand, last Friday. The brutal and merciless killing of innocent and defenceless worshippers devastates us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the scores of injured who remain hospitalised. Our deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray that the agony of the bereaved may find some comfort and solace in knowing those slain will be granted paradise, God willing. Though I don’t read many children’s books (I likely will when I have children to authorise what will and won’t be making it onto the bookshelf!), I still thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were some minor plot holes and elements of the story that didn’t really make sense (why is she wearing her hijab in an abandoned tower and what is the point of a post-Ramadan Eid ball? Lol), it doesn’t take away from the positive lessons and good representation of Muslims in this book. What I particularly loved was the references to Rumaysa praying in her tower – “The next day, Rumaysa did her prayers…”, “She did her night prayers and got ready for bed.” Love that mashaAllah. We seldom see prayer being alluded to adult novels let alone kids’ ones, so I love that this is included and prioritised. Ever since achieving her first record, Rumeysa has been an advocate for positivity, diversity and research, using her rare medical condition to educate others through her experience. Umm Sulaym was a model Muslim, a model wife and mother. Her belief in God was strong and uncompromising. She was not prepared to endanger her faith and the upbringing of her children for wealth and luxury, however abundant and tempting.

When it was known that Umm Sulaym had become a widow, one man, Zayd ibn Sahl, known as Abu Talhah, resolved to become engaged to her before anyone else did.

Abu Talhah proceeded to Umm Sulaym's house. On the way he recalled that she had been influenced by the preaching of Musab ibn Umayr and had become a Muslim. The syndrome can often be spotted at a prenatal stage and entails large birth size, accelerated growth and skeletal maturation and, although other issues may arise with this condition, it is often primarily associated with limb and neurological abnormalities. Sayed Dr Moustafa Al-Qazwini, President, Shia Muslim Council of Southern California, Founding Imam, Islamic Educational Center of Orange County , California USA

As verified in February 2022, Rumeysa also collected three additional titles related to specific measurements of her body: However, after recognizing that ignorance often fuelled those hurtful comments, she decided to use her record and unique situation to educate people. However, she also keeps on being an important voice for self-acceptance and positivity, as well as gifting her precious personal experience to the scientific community. Umm Sulaym herself was noted for her great courage and bravery. During the Battle of Uhud, she carried a dagger in the folds of her dress. She gave water to and tended the wounded and she made attempts to defend the Prophet when the tide of battle was turning against him. At the Battle of Khandaq, the Prophet saw her carrying a dagger and he asked her what she was doing with it. She said: "It is to fight those who desert." She was the former tallest teenager living, as confirmed in 2014, ad last October she broke the record for the tallest woman living.

From tallest teenager to tallest woman 

Shaykha Özlem Nas, Chairwoman of the Islamic Scientific and Educational Institute, Vice-Chair of the Alliance of Islamic Communities in Northern Germany I also enjoyed how feminism threads throughout this story without being heavy-handed. This includes challenges to anti-toxic masculinity and there was a nice little bit of anti-classism too. Definitely an enjoyable and recommended read from me! I loved how the central character Rumaysa connects the Rapunzel tale to the other spins on Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty! The inclusion of Muslim protagonists and South Asian culture was seamless and very refreshing. There were some cool plot twists and some actually quite thrilling scenes!. Bonus point if you love reading flying carpet rides. The illustrations were also whimsy and dynamic and one day I'd love to see how it looks in a paper version!