The Diamond In The Sand

The Diamond in the Sand pursues the story of the friendship of two young ladies, Shaheedah and Mary, focusing on Mary and capturing truth, justice and love as it reveals US espionage against Black American Muslims and upholders of peace throughout the world. Inked Resistance Islamic Publishing is proud to offer this sequel to The Sandhills of Arabia.

“Don’t be afraid,” a young man said, in a hushed, slow American drawl. “I won’t hurt you.”

Mary hid her head in her hands and shook so violently his words did not even register. She was totally petrified and stuck to the spot.

A strong warm hand held her under her chin and softly lifted up her head. Mary was afraid to open her eyes and look at the man.

“Please, I swear I won’t hurt you,” he said. “Open your eyes.”

Slowly, Mary opened her eyes. She hesitated and then looked up at the stranger. He was an American, she realized right away, although she had never seen him around the mission. His skin was the colour of bronze and his tightly-curled Afro had begun to grow out of its closely-cropped haircut. He wore a torn, tattered and dusty US air force uniform and looked almost too young to be in the service.

“My name is Carl Owens,” he said. “What’s yours?”

“I’m, I’m lost,” Mary stammered.

“I know,” he said, gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”

“I belong at the Christian mission near here,” Mary explained, wiping the tears from her eyes. “But I lost my way back.” Her voice trembled.

“Why were you out in the desert by yourself?” Carl asked, cautiously squatting on the sand beside her.

So begins the continuing story of Shaheedah and Mary that has touched hearts around the world. After Laila Hasib’s The Sandhills of Arabia was first published in 1992, the lovers of Shaheedah, Jafar and Mary patiently awaited its sequel and were rewarded three years later with The Diamond in the Sand. It has been sold throughout the world, including in Africa, Britain, Canada and the US. It, in a double novel combination with its first book, The Sandhills of Arabia, was translated into Indonesian by Elka Ferani, renamed The Sandhills of Arabia: Fate Robbed, and published by Zahra Novel in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2005. In 2017 Inked Resistance Islamic Publishing began and its first title was The Sandhills of Arabia. This 2023 edition of its never-out-of-date waited for sequel is being graciously offered after 28 years.

Author: Laila Hasib

Publisher: Inked Resistance Islamic Publishing

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 142

ISBN: 9781775011262