This picture puts a huge smile on my face. I saw it on Instagram and had to share.

I don’t know any of these women but they all graduated as medical doctors in a University in Northern Nigeria.

From their attires, I believe they are beautiful Muslim women.

Why am I pleased? 

This is an alternative narrative showcasing educated Muslim women from Northern Nigeria—A narrative not often shared.

I must confess, I grew up mostly in southern Nigeria, and have very little experience of the core Northern women, their lives, struggles and triumphs.

All I know is from second hand information and the media. And that narrative is of subdued women who rarely have the chance to get a good education.

There may be women who are in that category, but this picture shows a different story. And I’m here for it.

It’s inspired a novella in my head.

I’ll need a beta reader who knows about the Northern part of Nigeria and about Islamic religion with respect to women well enough to guide me, so that I can tell that story properly.

#BookIdea #AlternativeNarrative #DangerInTheSingleStory