“Our Fatima of Liverpool” provides a short but thorough account into the life of one of the founding figures of Britain’s first mosque community. I was especially surprised to read about Fatima’s journey to Islam and the fortitude she showed despite violent opposition from her own family and society. It was quite emotional to read about her mother’s violent reaction to her reading the Qur’an or when she was attacked and pelted in the streets of Liverpool.

The book is beautifully written and the authors have done a fab job in bringing Fatima’s story to life. Engaging, emotional and inspiring- the book is very hard to put down (I read it in one sitting!) An appendix is included at the end which includes Fatima’s own writings and poetry which was nice to hear Fatima in her own words.

The book is well-researched and sheds light on the significant, often forgotten role that women played in Britain’s earliest Muslim communities. A lot more work needs to be done to ensure that Fatima’s story is known as she is a role model for women today. In all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in Muslim women’s history!