We Have Always Been Here

We Have Always Been Here is a memoir by photographer and writer Samra Habib that chronicles her journey from Pakistan to Canada as an Ahmadi Muslim refugee. The narrative follows her childhood experiences of religious persecution, her arranged marriage as a teenager, and her path to self-discovery. Through her immigration story and coming-of-age in Toronto, Habib navigates the intersections of faith, sexuality, and cultural identity. She documents her gradual understanding of her queerness while maintaining connections to her Muslim identity and heritage. As a photographer and activist, Habib shares her work capturing portraits and stories of other LGBTQ Muslims around the world. Her evolving relationship with Islam and her place within multiple communities forms a central thread throughout the memoir. The memoir explores themes of belonging, resilience, and the power of claiming one's authentic identity despite societal pressures. Through personal narrative, it challenges assumptions about the compatibility of faith and sexuality while highlighting the diversity within Muslim communities.

Readers describe this memoir as an honest exploration of identity, religion, and sexuality. The writing style strikes many as intimate and conversational, with one reviewer noting it "feels like having a deep conversation with a close friend." Readers appreciated: - The nuanced portrayal of Muslim faith and queerness - Photography descriptions that enhanced the narrative - Clear explanations of cultural concepts for unfamiliar readers - The hopeful tone despite difficult subject matter Common criticisms: - Some sections feel rushed or underdeveloped - Later chapters lose focus compared to earlier parts - Limited depth in exploring certain relationships Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (250+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (100+ ratings) Several readers mentioned wanting more details about specific periods in the author's life. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "The writing grabs you early but skims over important moments that deserved more attention."

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🌟 The memoir chronicles Habib's journey as a queer Muslim, from fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan to finding her identity in Canada, making it one of the first mainstream books to explore this intersection of identities. 📚 Samra Habib's work as a photographer preceded her writing career, with her photo project "Just Me and Allah" documenting queer Muslims around the world gaining international recognition. 🏆 The book won the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Memoir/Biography and the 2020 Canada Reads competition, where it was championed by actress Amanda Brugel. 🌍 Habib spent her early childhood as part of Pakistan's persecuted Ahmadi Muslim minority before her family sought asylum in Canada when she was ten years old. 💫 The title "We Have Always Been Here" serves as both a personal declaration and a broader statement about the historical presence of LGBTQ+ individuals in Muslim communities, challenging the notion that queerness and faith are incompatible.