Ten years have passed since Dina Zaman’s first book I Am Muslim appeared in bookstores.
Her writing has been met with mixed reviews – anything from angry criticism to accolades and prestigious awards.
Holy Men, Holy Women was published last year, a poignant collection of stories gleaned from the two-year journey made by Dina across the length of Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak. What surprises did she unearth on these candid adventures? And what started her desire to turn the literary spotlight on a topic as sensitive as religion in Malaysia?
You’ll have to read the book to answer the first question. The second is best answered in her own words below, accompanied by brief reflections on her past and the goings-on at IMAN, a think tank she co-founded which seeks to provide information and actionable insights on matters of religion, society and perception in Malaysia.
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