Houssam Shaykh is living the dream. He is a big sought after basketball star who has his pick of teams, is recognized wherever he goes, makes millions per game, and gets to play his favorite sport for a living. He is even being called the 'Muslim Michael Jordan'. But he has a void that he can't seem to fill, no matter how many screaming fans chant his name. When he goes back home after a long season and decides to throw himself into volunteer work, will he find a shot at finding what he's seeking? Hana Ismail sees life through the lens of her camera. She loves to create memories for others to hold dear, but often wishes that she gets to experience them for herself. When she gets chosen to start a Masjid newspaper, and ends up doing a profile on none other than their very own celebrity, will she have a shot at her own happiness?

"Why didn't you tell me he went here?" Sabrina managed to croak out. Her throat was dry and there was a loud drumming sound in her ears which she realized was her heart. "Oh..uh...well..." Leila stuttered and then trailed off. She smiled sheepishly. "I totally forgot about Khalid." Sabrina winced when she heard his name. "How could you?" Sabrina asked, horrified. "You know I don't like him and, not to mention, that he hates my guts!" "Oh, come on! That was years ago. He probably doesn't even remember you." Leila assured, waving her hand. At that moment, Khalid Fayad turned towards them, his eyes landing on Sabrina's. Sabrina held her breath hoping - praying - that he would turn away without recognizing her. Unfortunately, he seemed to remember her all too well. From the way he smirked at her now, Sabrina just knew that her senior year at New Hope High was ruined. _______________________________________________________ A story of racism and hate, of love and acceptance. Can Sabrina overcome the hate that she is wrongly accused of. Can she forgive those who have tortured her life with bitter words and unending cruelty. Can she fight back with not hate, but good?

As a Muslim girl, marriage is one of Safia's biggest dreams. All her life she kept herself pure for her faith and her future husband. Although having never had experienced love, and occasionally doubting whether she will, Safia feels herself growing impatient being single. She then sends her family to search for 'the one.' Trusting her family, she decides to say yes to the first person her family finds for her. She believes she will get married and face all her problems with her husband by her side. Is it really as simple as that? Yusuf feels a void in his heart. He tries to deny it, but he knows his mother's not proud of him. He knows she wishes he could be a little more modern like his brother. He wanted his family to find him a wife while he could focus on his deen (faith), but his idea of a wife clashes with his mother's. Seeing that his family were struggling to find him someone he likes, he decides to take matters into his own hands. But is he rushing into decisions without thinking?

Their sympathy had worn off and I was back to how I started, except I no longer had my husband beside me. I thought the niqab (face veil) would protect me like it used to, make me look like I fit in with everyone else. But the little person holding my hand gives it away. His beautiful dark skin and short frizzy hair shows that he’s different. They see us as different and they don’t like it. - Born and brought up in the west with a Pakistani father and Palestinian mother, Esha’s never been liked by her extended family in Pakistan. But they remained polite until she went on to do something never seen in her father’s Pakistani village. She married a black man. To make matters worse, Esha and her husband, Isa, move to Pakistan so Esha can teach the less fortunate in the little village her father was brought up in. His passing caused her great grief and she wanted to feel closer to him. But they never accepted her. Yet, Esha refuses to move away and is adamant on raising her son alone in her father’s old house.

My mom tells me to never think about it but how can I not when it's right there infront of me. My dad tells me to forget about it but how can I when it's a part of me. My brother calls it cool and my sister says let it be. They only start understanding though is when their chosen husbands for me...never reply back. Until a quirky, clumsy and not to mention handsome Asher comes along....but in the end we all know, no man wants a woman with a left foot missing.... #thebigmuslimwriterscontest2016 Currently under editing***