Cut From the Same Cloth
By Sabeena Akhtar (editor)

A ground-breaking collection of essays written by British hijabis
Publication date: May 2021
Choose book format:
Unbound Exclusives
About the book
'Extraordinary women leading ordinary lives. Lyrical, funny and enraging, this arresting collection of essays shatters every myth and stereotype of what it means to live as a Muslim woman in Britain today' Monisha Rajesh
'Radical, moving, funny, profound . . . The essays in this book are a vital gift' Preti Taneja
'Radical, moving, funny, profound . . . The essays in this book are a vital gift' Preti Taneja
'My favourite book of the year. Sabeena Akhtar has brought together an inspiring work of beauty and being, each page so alive and vibrant. I hope every shelf makes room for this one' Sabrina Mahfouz
From modern pop culture to anti-Blackness, faith and family, politics, education, creativity and working life; this anthology gives visibly Muslim women a space to speak.
SPOILER ALERT: We won’t be answering the usual questions!
Perceived as the visual representation of Islam, hijab-wearing Muslim women are nevertheless rarely afforded a platform on their own terms. Harangued by awkward questions, radical commentators sensationalising our existence, non-Muslims and non-hijabis making assumptions, men speaking on our behalf, or stereotypical norms being perpetuated by the same old faces, hijabis are tired. Cut from the Same Cloth? seeks to tip the balance back in our favour. Here, twenty-one women of all ages and races look beyond the tired tropes, exploring the breadth of our experience and spirituality. It’s time we, as a society, stop with the hijab-splaining and make space for the women who know.
Essays by Negla Abdalla, Zahra Adams, Sabeena Akhtar, Mariam Ansar, Fatima Ahdash, Shaista Aziz, Suma Din, Khadijah Elshayyal, Ruqaiya Haris, Raisa Hassan, Fatha Hassan, Sumaya Kassim, Rumana Lasker Dawood, Suhaiymah Manzoor Khan, Asha Mohamed, Sofia Rehman, Yvonne Ridley Aisha Rimi, Khadijah Rotimi, Sophie Williams, Hodan Yusuf.
From modern pop culture to anti-Blackness, faith and family, politics, education, creativity and working life; this anthology gives visibly Muslim women a space to speak.
SPOILER ALERT: We won’t be answering the usual questions!
Perceived as the visual representation of Islam, hijab-wearing Muslim women are nevertheless rarely afforded a platform on their own terms. Harangued by awkward questions, radical commentators sensationalising our existence, non-Muslims and non-hijabis making assumptions, men speaking on our behalf, or stereotypical norms being perpetuated by the same old faces, hijabis are tired. Cut from the Same Cloth? seeks to tip the balance back in our favour. Here, twenty-one women of all ages and races look beyond the tired tropes, exploring the breadth of our experience and spirituality. It’s time we, as a society, stop with the hijab-splaining and make space for the women who know.
Essays by Negla Abdalla, Zahra Adams, Sabeena Akhtar, Mariam Ansar, Fatima Ahdash, Shaista Aziz, Suma Din, Khadijah Elshayyal, Ruqaiya Haris, Raisa Hassan, Fatha Hassan, Sumaya Kassim, Rumana Lasker Dawood, Suhaiymah Manzoor Khan, Asha Mohamed, Sofia Rehman, Yvonne Ridley Aisha Rimi, Khadijah Rotimi, Sophie Williams, Hodan Yusuf.
Hey folks, Do you have an update on publication?
Hi Lucy, thanks for getting in touch. The publication date is the 27th of May so not long to go now! Thanks
Hi, As Salam wa aleikum. I am a British convert to Islam, I have been wearing hijab for 5 years now. I would love to get involved if there are any opportunities. My background is in Media and Communication. Please e-mail me at alana_blockley@hotmail.com or search for me on Instagram, Facebook etc.
Wslam Alana, Apologies I've just seen this now. I wish you all the best for the future
Assalam alaykum, How can I update my postal address, please? I live in a different place to when I supported the book. JazakAllahkhayr. Elizabeth
Wsalam Elizabeth, the Unbound team will be contacting all pledgers for updated address details shortly. Thanks
Hi, I was wondering why this particular book has “shipping restrictions” to 27 different countries, but I can’t seem to find another book that has those restrictions? Thank you.
Hi Nicole, Unbound are currently unable to ship published books to these restricted countries. This is due to international shipping restrictions. You will find this is the same for all our published books.