Writing

Wietske is a prolific writer in both Dutch and English. She is currently working on several book projects. 

Gift from the Heavens | What does a Seagull teach us about wastefulness, a Cuckoo about time, or a Turtle Dove about love? The Qur’an teaches Muslims that all of creation is the Word of God. As such, as a Muslim birder, Wietske attempts to read the signs on the horizon. In this collection of forty essays, she let birds guide her reflections on a great variety of issues, including decoloniality, environmental justice, love, indigeneity, spirituality, beauty, and education. As a scholar of Islamic law, her essays are deeply rooted in the Qur’an and the teachings of the many prophets. Yet, as an artist and scholar of international law, her essays also provide a timely, personal, and uniquely creative critique of the cultural, political, and religious status quo.

The forty essays can be accessed on Wietske’s Substack. Wietske is currently in the process of turning her essays into a book.

Salaam Art | Together with Saida Franken, a Dutch Muslim artist, Wietske has written four Dutch children’s books for Salaam Art, a foundation hoping to inspire personal and spiritual growth through creativity, primarily aimed at Dutch Muslim children and Islamic primary schools. Three out of these four books are part of a series with recurrent characters learning about various themes, Blokje Leert over Vriendschap (‘Squary Learns about Friendship’), Rondje Leert over Ramadan (‘Circle Learns about Ramadan’), Driehoekje Leert over Dankbaarheid (‘Triangle Learns about Gratitude’). The latest book, De Reis met je Rugzakje (‘The Journey with your Backpack’), aims to introduce children to the idea that all human beings carry around both positive and negative life experiences in their ‘backpacks.’ Through creative assignments, stories, songs, and questions, the kids are invited to reflect on the contents of their own little backpacks and those of others around them and are introduced to wisdom and guidance from the Islamic tradition that may help lighten their load.

By Heart | A collection of 63 English poems, By Heart will be Wietske’s first book of poetry. The collection is made up of five sections with eleven poems each: Search, Surrender, Struggle, Silence, and Song. Nature, liberation, playfulness, and the journey of faith are recurrent themes woven throughout her poetry. The collection is complete, and Wietske is currently looking for the right publisher for this work. If you are or know a publisher that would be a good fit for this collection, please reach out via the contact page of this website.

Biography | Wietske is writing a biography of someone who is very dear to her. More details about this project will be shared as soon as they are ready to be shared. For now, the work continues behind closed doors. 

My pen is dipped into the pot

Not knowing where you’ll place my dot

Yet blessed am I for I may be

The instrument to write your plot