They are never alone together and always meet in public or with friends. Adam and Zayneb lead us there by sharing their story through their poignant journal entries.Įarly on in their relationship, both Adam and Zayneb emphasize the importance of following Islamic rules when meeting each other. But unlike the popular Shakespearean play, “Love from A to Z” ends happily. This fated relationship echoes that of Romeo and Juliet, arguably the most famous star-crossed lovers. Thus, long before meeting, Zayneb and Adam were connected to each other. Upon seeing the book, both decide to start a journal documenting the marvels and oddities in their own lives.

While Zayneb found the manuscript online during his work on a research project, Adam saw it in person at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. The story begins by introducing us to Adam and Zayneb when they discover the manuscript of “The Marvels of Creation and the Oddities of Existence,” a book written by Zakariyya ibn Muhammad Al-Qazwini in 1275 AD.

Ali further breaks barriers by rejecting the tropes we often see Muslims take part in, and the author instead dedicates “Love from A to Z” to true Muslim representation by including converts, immigrants and mixed-race families as important parts of the story. Bringing together cultural values and religious expectations into a beautiful romance, Ali narrates the Muslim American experience in a way that’s rarely found in the literary scene. Although initially attracted to each other’s looks at first glance, the novel follows the pair as they begin to truly fall in love, all while struggling with their identities and personal issues. Ali tells the story of Adam and Zayneb, two Muslim teenagers who meet at a London airport gate headed for Doha, Qatar.

Love from a to z author