The Language of Secrets (39 page)
Read The Language of Secrets Online
Authors: Ausma Zehanat Khan
For a comprehensive look at the Toronto 18 case, please see Isabel Teotino's excellent dossier “Toronto 18,” published by
The Toronto Star
in 2010.
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While there were many people and resources I consulted in writing this book, no one was of more help than my husband, Nader Hashemi, whose expertise on Islam and democracy, and on Islam-West relations and the broken politics of the Middle East, was an invaluable source of guidance. For the many long and demanding conversations about jihadism, for his boundless patience with my questions, and for these fifteen beautiful years, I thank him.
In addition, I would like to thank the two brilliant Crown prosecutors Sarah Shaikh and Moiz Rahman, who spared so much of their valuable time to instruct me about the law as it applies to terrorism charges in Canada, and to speak about their own very challenging work as prosecutors. They answered an endless series of questions with sensitivity, grace, and good humor. Any liberties I took with the story are my own invention.
My gratitude as well to everyone who works so hard and with such enthusiasm on my books, at St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Raincoast Books. To Hector DeJean, for putting up with my correspondence, and providing me with so many opportunities to write. To David Rotstein, who designs my beautiful covers, and who gave me such a fascinating look at his process. To Dan Wagstaff for organizing my events in Toronto, and for many brilliant conversations about books. To Fleur Matthewson for her support and enthusiasm, and to Peter Ganim, for his beautiful rendition of the audiobook for
The Unquiet Dead.
Many thanks to Ryan Warner at Colorado Public Radio, to the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, and to Ben McNally of Ben McNally Books in Toronto, for hosting my launch events. And to Lisa Casper for working so hard to spread the word. And to Dylan Scott for such brilliant and generous help in establishing my Web site. And to the community of writers and readers who responded with such enthusiasm to
The Unquiet Dead,
I'm deeply grateful to you all.
To the amazing women who have seen me through every moment of my journey: Elizabeth Lacks, my champion of an editor, who sees things I don't even know are there, and whose brilliance at understanding the heart of a book is unparalleled. How blessed I was the day my manuscript crossed her desk. And my agent, Danielle Burby, who provides laughter, reassurance, and belief in equal measure, and who has worked so hard on my behalf that I truly don't know how to thank her.
To Reza Aslan, whose eloquent books inspire me, and whose kindness and generosity opened so many doors for me. And to the communities, mosques, student groups, and halaqas that nurtured my understanding of the Islamic traditionâwhat beautiful lessons you taught me.
My gratitude to my incredible family and friends, whose love and support buoys me up every day. To the Khans, the Hashemis, the Shaikhs, the Ahmads, and the Raos (Shahjehan!), but especially to Hema, Farah, Fereshteh, Uzma, Yasmin, Semina, Haseeba, Red Velvet Irmy, and Nozzie. And to my beloved Summer and Casim, setting out on adventures of their own.
To Ayesha, Irfan, and Kashifâthere is just no love like yours in this life, and no secret history as magical as ours. Here's to those years in the Ravenscroft house. And, of course, to Gnu Books.
And to Mum and Dad, for your endless love and sacrifice. Dad, you can't read these books now, but I couldn't have written them without everything you taught me. You will always be my hero and my conscience.
I left for Ramallah with your letter in my hand.
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ALSO BY
AUSMA ZEHANAT KHAN
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Ausma Zehanat Khan
holds a Ph.D. in international human rights law. She is a former adjunct law professor and was editor in chief of
Muslim Girl
magazine, the first magazine targeted to young Muslim women. A British-born Canadian, Khan now lives in Colorado with her husband.
The Language of Secrets
is her second novel. You can sign up for email updates
here
.
    
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Contents
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS.
Copyright © 2016 by Ausma Zehanat Khan. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
“A Grave for New York,” by Adonis, from
Modern Arabic Poetry,
edited by Salma Khadra Jayyusi. Copyright © 1987 Columbia University Press.
Reprinted with permission of the publisher.
Cover design by David Baldeosingh Rotstein
Cover photographs: sky and moon © Jill Battaglia/Arcangel Images; tree branches © Christophe Meimoon
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-05512-5 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-5825-1 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466858251
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at
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First Edition: February 2016
