Yaffa and Fatima by Fawzia Gilani-Williams

Inspired by traditional Jewish and Arab tales that usually feature brothers, as in Neil Waldman's The Twoīrothers: A Legend of Jerusalem (1997), this female-oriented story is told in folkloric style, adding a When they realize that each has been secretly sharing with the other, they are grateful for their friendship. When hard times come, they worry about the other's welfare, and 'Yaffa and Fatima are neighbors in the Land of Milk and Honey, where each tends her own date grove.Įvery day they pick and sell their dates, cook and share tasty foods, and pray to God-Yaffa in the

A subtle, visually arresting introduction to ethnic relations.'― Kirkus Reviews-Journal Gilani-Williams never distinctly references any conflict-in fact, even the Israeli setting is not specifically mentioned, only to call it the 'Land of Milk and Honey.' But readers can tell, because differences very much define the women's relationship, that they are overcoming some sort of obstacle in being friends. The tones are carefully placed to distinguish the two women but are also included in ancillary details to begin to build a feeling of unity. Those two colors, set against a neutral backdrop, lightly accent the women's everyday surroundings as well. Fatima is clad in a burgundy hijab, while Jaffa has a deep teal headscarf.

When Fatima sees Yaffa on the street, she waves and calls, 'Salaam! Peace!' Yaffa waves back and calls, 'Shalom! Peace!' The text becomes a list of differences between the two women. Yaffa and Fatima both own date groves right next door to each other. 'In this retelling of a tale rooted in both Jewish and Arab traditions, two neighbors are friends despite perceived religious tensions of the community.

Yaffa and Fatima by Fawzia Gilani-Williams