Overview

""An ode to the courage it takes to live with authenticity."" --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) An intensely brave, beautifully honest, and wryly funny story about a gay Muslim teen who has to choose between being true to himself or his faith--and his realization that maybe they aren't as separate as he thought. Ramin Abbas has spent his whole life obeying his parents, his Imam, and, of course, Allah--no questions asked. But when he starts crushing on the ridiculously handsome captain of the soccer team, so many things he'd always been so sure about are becoming questions: 1. Music is haram. But what if the Wicked soundtrack is the only thing keeping you sane because you're being forced to play on the soccer team? With Captain Handsome?! 2. A boy crush is double haram, and Ramin's parents will never accept it. But can he really be the only Muslim on Earth who feels this way? 3. Allah is merciful and makes no mistakes. Then isn't Ramin just the way Allah intended him to be? And so why should living your truth but losing everything--or living a lie and losing yourself--have to be a choice?!

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9781665960694

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Reviews

A closeted Muslim Pakistani Canadian teenager yearns for acceptance and belonging. Debut author Saber handles [the] conflicts sensitively, drawing readers into the complicated experience of being both Muslim and gay, offering visibility to teens who share these identities, and expanding conversations about how queer individuals often turn to religion for solace even when family and faith-based communities reject them. Through the supporting cast members, Saber highlights the healing power of love, friendship, sibling bonds, and trusted adults in a queer teenager's life. He emphasizes how inclusive interpretations of scripture can create room for queer-affirming religious life and compellingly explores the guilt associated with emigration and the stigma around seeking professional mental health support in many South Asian and Muslim families. These heavier elements are beautifully contrasted with Ramin's humorous voice and his ability to soothe himself through the joy he finds in origami and Broadway musicals. An ode to the courage it takes to live with authenticity. --Kirkus ""January 15, 2026"" A gay Muslim teen forced to join his school's soccer team navigates parental pressure, internalized prejudice, and bullying in Saber's touching debut. [...] Punchy dialogue brightens sensitive portrayals of religious identity and its intersection with queerness, resulting in a fresh and compassionate read. --Publishers Weekly ""12/8/2025""

Author Information

Ahmad Saber is a medical doctor specializing in rheumatology and internal medicine. Born and raised in Pakistan, Ahmad and his family moved to Canada while he was in high school. Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions is his debut novel and based in part on his own life. You can find him on Instagram at @TheAhmadSaber.

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