Assalamu alaikum! I'm Anhar, a mom of four children ages 2 to 10. My background is in counseling and education leadership, and I'm currently training as a PCI parent coach.
I've taught in Islamic schools in different communities since I was in high school. Through all of it, I've loved storytelling, and especially connecting a good story to what truly matters: our purpose, and our journey to Jannah.
How it started
It began with a toddler's big feelings
My toddler was having huge outbursts, and nothing I said in the moment seemed to reach him. So I started making up stories about Amy the Amygdala, the brain's alarm, and Professor Cortex, the thinking brain. Little by little, he began to understand what was happening inside him, and how to come back to calm.
Those bedtime stories became Sammy Meets Amy the Amygdala, the first Sakinah Stories book. Sakinah means tranquility, the calm Allah sends down into the hearts of believers. That's what I hope every story brings into your home.
What I believe
Every child is part of a family, and every family is part of a community
As a counselor and parent coach, I see the whole child, and the family as a living system. When one person grows, everyone around them grows too. My mission is to help families and communities build emotional resilience and feel closer to their faith.
My hope for every reader
For children
To feel confident in their Muslim identity and culture, and to understand themselves a little better after every story.
For parents and teachers
To walk away inspired and equipped, knowing they had the answers within them all along, and how to put them into practice.
Story nights and workshops
I visit schools, masjids and homeschool groups for story nights and parent workshops, in person and online.