Don't Ask the Trees for Their Names

In this richly woven collection, nine Arab women share deeply personal stories of migration to Australia. Contributors Mariam Maatooq, Loubna Haikal, Mary Hanoun-Khilla, Sivine Tabbouch, Hend Saab, Kilda Eid, Camilia Naim, Oula Ghannoum, and Nouha El-Khoury Francis each reflect on the legacies of their homelands - Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, and beyond - and the complexities of forging new lives far from home.In their own voices, these women explore the challenges of adaptation, the resilience born from adversity, the quiet moments of joy, and the enduring ties to culture and heritage. With unflinching honesty, they examine Australian society while confronting some of the world's most pressing political injustices through the lens of lived experience.A powerful testament to both individuality and community, Don't Ask the Trees for Their Names: Stories of Leaving and Becoming seeks to dismantle stereotypes in a world that too often reduces identity to simple categories. This compelling anthology inspires readers to rise above the barriers of sexism and racism, offering an urgent and unapologetic chorus of truth.Edited by Oula Ghannoum and Loubna Haikal. Published by Gazebo Books, 2025. Read more