FANS yesterday had the opportunity to get up close and personal with Malaysian writer Norhafsah binti Hamid at a 'Meet and Greet' hosted by dBookHaus at its A Grind Coffee House in Citis Square.

Event organiser Norhana Osman Haron, who flew in with the writer from Kuala Lumpur, noted that this is Norhafsah's second tour to Brunei, after an earlier visit last year.

Norhafsah decided to have the meet and greet so as to be able to meet her fans and have her latest book 'Heaven Sent' autographed for them, she added.

Norhafsah shared details of her latest book (published last year), answered questions and even took selfies with the dozens of fans who had turned up.

A Syariah lawyer by profession, Norhafsah's second visit includes a talk on women's rights later in the afternoon at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Norhana said.

In an interview with the Weekend Bulletin, Norhafsah said her love for books  was born at an early age.

Her father, who had worked at the Education Ministry, would bring home books that Norhafsah and her sisters would indulge in. They would later push their father to bring home more books.

"I never really intended to write, but somehow or rather I felt that I wanted to share my experience with the hope that people might benefit from it. So I started writing a little bit, then I was encouraged to write a manuscript... and the rest is history. Alhamdulillah," she said.

Asked how she balances being a Syariah lawyer with finding time to write books, she explained that the beauty of being a lawyer is that she is always thinking of arguments to present to the judges, which she jots down in a book.

Ideas that spring to mind are also jotted down, and eventually she turns it into proper writings for her books.

"Response from readers here has been very positive and encouraging. I get readers telling me that my book touched them, helped them and answered some of their questions. This means a lot to me and it gives me the courage and strength to write more, knowing that it helps," she added.

While the meet and greet highlighted how she juggles being a Syariah lawyer and a writer, her talk at the national stadium enlightened the audience on women's rights before and after marriage.

Norhafsah has learnt that there are some women who are unaware of their rights, and their ignorance brings about cases of them being cheated, abused and abandoned.

"I am trying to educate women on the rights that Allah the Almighty has given them, to implement them and use them.

There is no wrong in doing it, so they know what they are getting into before and they know what to do after marriage, because sometimes women don't know what their rights are, and they feel alone and trapped." she added.

Norhafsah has just finished writing he fifth edition, which is more in line with lie' earlier books 'Trying to be a Muslim' and `Back to Basics,' which she hopes will gel published by the end of this year.

Her first book 'Trying to Be Muslim' was published in 2012, while 2014 saw  two of her books published - entitled 'Back to Basics' and `Saya Bukan Fanatik.'

Playing host at the meet and greet was Malaysian singer/songwriter and TV host Erwan Muhibbain, who took i opportunity to autograph CDs brought by fans, before performing a song for the attendees.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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