Shaheen Chishti, The Granddaughter Project. Shaheen is a renowned Sufi Islamic World peace advocate and a direct descendant of the revered Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most significant saints of the Indian subcontinent and founder Chishtiyya order of Sufism. The Granddaughter Project charts the experience of three very different women from around the world, who collectively use their voices to improve societal attitudes towards women for the benefit of their granddaughters. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, Shaheen spoke about the project.
Q - Exploring the themes of gender suppression, racial oppression, economic disadvantage and empowerment can be emotionally triggering as a writer. What was the process like?
It was helpful to draw from the past experiences of my friends and family. I had to go through quite a lot in my mind about previous incidents and the ones that I witnessed. It was not easy at times as it triggered bad memories. But overall, it was a positive experience as I feel that the book highlights society’s mistakes and weaknesses with the view to improve it for the better. I also wanted to help young women find their voices and power, and to make the most for themselves – not for their society. So many young women now are the living legacies of strong women who came before them, able to live their lives and enjoy their freedoms and identities because of the sacrifices made by their grandmothers. So many grandmothers went to their graves without telling their stories, for fear of the repercussions and consequences upon their families. Some understandably lacked courage, others lacked opportunity. But now they can be unburdened.
Q - How did you come up with this heart-warming title for the novel?
I feel that “The Granddaughter Project” allows for more cross-generation interest and connection. The title makes me think of all these grandmothers together and deciding to do something important for their granddaughters. It is a simple way of conveying that these women set out to make something positive happen and put in hard work, planning and effort. They had a vision and they were going to make it succeed.
Q - In general, ethnic communities from across religions have placed immense trust and faith in your ancestors. Does that put you under any kind of pressure as a writer because people expect a certain level of spiritual touch from you?
Yes, my ancestors have been the unifying force between all communities (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jews – all faiths). I wanted to be fair and honest about my account of the issues that women face. I did feel the pressure in the sense that I must come up with a good product and I think that the readers will enjoy the end product. The Chishti Motto has always been: “Love towards all, malice towards none.”
Q - How will South Asian women be able to relate to your novel?
The first character in the book relates to Goddess Durga and someone from which women in India can take inspiration. The same would be applied to the first Muslim lady Khadija RA as she was a successful merchant. Other smaller South Asian communities can draw from this to their benefit. I really think that this book will go a long way in helping, resolving and changing many minds.
Q - How can more women come forward to tell untold and important stories of women?
We should encourage small women centres where these stories can be shared, confidential telephone lines to report any issues and education for men in issues where we are struggling are just some of my suggestions. I learnt so much about how women and girls bear the brunt of suffering and abuse – especially in times of war, famine and poverty. It was a real eye-opener in many ways. It is something that we know but until you read the extent of it, you don’t really believe it. Furthermore, we always associate this type of abuse with soldiers or the enemy, but in many cases, it was fathers, brothers and friends inflicting this mistreatment. It makes it so easy to dismiss these women as casualties of war, but they are preyed upon by men who want to make themselves feel better about their bad situations.
