Ayah means ‘sign from God’ or ‘miracle’ and Noor means ‘light.’ From Ayah’s mother’s side she is Afghan, and from her father’s side she’s American.
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My name is Bilal (he/him). I was a senior in high school when I wrote my first book with Shout Mouse Press. I am currently a senior at the University of Maryland and am figuring out what's next. I'm excited to just take the world on, one day at a time – whether it be finding employment, learning something new, or working on another project with Shout Mouse, I'm here for it!
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Samaa Eldadah was a senior at Sandy Spring Friends School in Sandy Springs, MD when she wrote I am the Night Sky. High school taught her a lot about the power of youth voices, and one of her immediate goals is to translate the organizing she’s done in school into programming for her Muslim peers. Her long-term goals include college, potentially, law school, and making a local political impact.
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Noor Saleem was a junior at National Cathedral School in Washington, DC when she wrote I am in the Night Sky. During her free time she enjoys writing poetry, playing soccer, and relaxing to music.
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Imaan Shanavas was a junior at Poolseville High School when she wrote I am the Night Sky. She serves as the president of the Muslim Student Association at her school, which holds food drives and food packaging for the poor. They also coordinate discussions where Muslims and non-Muslims can have a safe space to discuss Islam and address misconceptions.
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Salihah “Sasa” Aakil was a sophomore in high school in Silver Spring, Maryland when she wrote I am the Night Sky. She enjoys writing, painting, doing pottery, and talking to people. She likes hunting down stories, asking people about their experiences, and creating art after them: sometimes for healing, sometimes for remembering, sometimes for rebellion.
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Iman was a freshman in high school when she wrote her first book I am the Night Sky. She was 18 when she wrote What It Cost Us. She’s currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania, studying International Relations and exploring the great Philly food scene. After she graduates, she would love to be a diplomat living in DC and working at the State Department.
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Leyla Rasheed was a freshman at the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD where she wrote I am the Night Sky. She enjoys playing soccer, biking, writing, and ceramics. She is an active member of the Islamic Community Center of Potomac.
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Ruqayyah Aakil was a homeschooled senior in Silver Spring, Maryland when she created art for I am the Night Sky. She enjoyes photography, puzzles, binge-watching TV shows, and music. She likes going outdoors – not to go hiking or anything like that – but just to breathe the fresh air and take in the world, whether it is through her eyes or the viewfinder of a camera.
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Fatima Rafie was a junior at Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia when she wrote I am the Night Sky. She likes many different things, like drawing, taekwondo, graphic design, math, chemistry, psychology, reading… The list goes on. Basically, she tries to keep herself occupied with learning as many new skills as she can, so that she can make the most of the time she has as a teenager.
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