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Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26An intensely brave, gorgeously written 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.
Now a senior at the top-ranked high school for Muslim teenagers, Pakistani Canadian Ramin can’t wait for the fresh start of college. He’s spent his whole life following the word of Allah, his parents, and his imam. His parents immigrated from Pakistan, sacrificing everything for him and his little brother, and expect Ramin to be halal in all things, meet a nice Muslim girl, and settle into devout family life. However, Ramin’s heart wishes for something—or someone— the strong, athletic captain of the soccer team. But at school, being gay is definitely haram, not allowed, so Ramin limits himself to dreams of moving away to New York City.
Then Ramin learns his graduation is in jeopardy, and the only chance he’s given to get the needed physical education credits quickly is to join the school’s soccer team…and train one-on-one with Fahad, a.k.a. Captain Handsome. It’s a nightmare of temptation and resistance, compounded by threats from a longtime bully who is blackmailing Ramin, threatening to reveal a secret that could ruin him. Ramin’s only ray of light is Omar, a sweet and caring new friend whose family believes in a different, kinder Allah. He gently prods Ramin to consider his faith more deeply, challenging Ramin’s long held belief of Allah as merciless and unforgiving by introducing him to one who is instead merciful and loving.
With graduation, a championship soccer match, and the blackmail looming, the pressure on Ramin is too much to keep buried. He must decide between the consequences of speaking his truth and living a lie. He must decide which Allah lives in the little mosque in his heart.
Now a senior at the top-ranked high school for Muslim teenagers, Pakistani Canadian Ramin can’t wait for the fresh start of college. He’s spent his whole life following the word of Allah, his parents, and his imam. His parents immigrated from Pakistan, sacrificing everything for him and his little brother, and expect Ramin to be halal in all things, meet a nice Muslim girl, and settle into devout family life. However, Ramin’s heart wishes for something—or someone— the strong, athletic captain of the soccer team. But at school, being gay is definitely haram, not allowed, so Ramin limits himself to dreams of moving away to New York City.
Then Ramin learns his graduation is in jeopardy, and the only chance he’s given to get the needed physical education credits quickly is to join the school’s soccer team…and train one-on-one with Fahad, a.k.a. Captain Handsome. It’s a nightmare of temptation and resistance, compounded by threats from a longtime bully who is blackmailing Ramin, threatening to reveal a secret that could ruin him. Ramin’s only ray of light is Omar, a sweet and caring new friend whose family believes in a different, kinder Allah. He gently prods Ramin to consider his faith more deeply, challenging Ramin’s long held belief of Allah as merciless and unforgiving by introducing him to one who is instead merciful and loving.
With graduation, a championship soccer match, and the blackmail looming, the pressure on Ramin is too much to keep buried. He must decide between the consequences of speaking his truth and living a lie. He must decide which Allah lives in the little mosque in his heart.
416 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 3, 2026
2841 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 27, 2025
Ramin is a devout Muslim. He makes sure not to miss any prayers. He goes to a Muslim high school, and follows all the rules. He does as his parents want. He is about to get a full ride to a New York University, where he plans to study medicine. You would think life couldn’t get any better for him.
Problem is, although he knows Allah does not make mistakes, he feels as though he is one, because he is gay. He can’t talk to his parents about it. And he certainly can’t talk to his classmates. He figures he is just going to keep his head down, and graduate, and do what he wants in New York.
But, then he is told he must take soccer the last semester because he is missing credits, so he has to play with the captain of the team, who he has a crush on. To complicate things further, one of the players has figured out he is gay, and is blackmailing him to throw the games, when he plays.
Can it get any worse?
Oh, I’m sure it could.
This sort of story, of being so far into the closet that you can’t even breathe is one of the heaviest sorts of stories, because often gay youth don't see an exit. It is the same with Ramin. Anything he does just brings life crashing down around him. Through it all, he keeps his faith, and loves Allah, no matter what.
This book had me in tears, so you know I'm going to give it all the stars. Very strong character, and good friends help him. It is important to have family, even if it is found family, and not blood family. Very well done story.
Problem is, although he knows Allah does not make mistakes, he feels as though he is one, because he is gay. He can’t talk to his parents about it. And he certainly can’t talk to his classmates. He figures he is just going to keep his head down, and graduate, and do what he wants in New York.
But, then he is told he must take soccer the last semester because he is missing credits, so he has to play with the captain of the team, who he has a crush on. To complicate things further, one of the players has figured out he is gay, and is blackmailing him to throw the games, when he plays.
Can it get any worse?
Oh, I’m sure it could.
This sort of story, of being so far into the closet that you can’t even breathe is one of the heaviest sorts of stories, because often gay youth don't see an exit. It is the same with Ramin. Anything he does just brings life crashing down around him. Through it all, he keeps his faith, and loves Allah, no matter what.
This book had me in tears, so you know I'm going to give it all the stars. Very strong character, and good friends help him. It is important to have family, even if it is found family, and not blood family. Very well done story.
October 22, 2025
Queer Muslim stories sometimes shy away from talking about characters' relationships to religion in a deep capacity but I'm really glad that this one didn't! It wonderfully encapsulates that struggle between loving God and loving your religion, but then struggling to love yourself as a result of what you feel religion and God wants you to be. I also loved the setting of the Muslim school, and the diversity of thoughts and beliefs when it came to all the Muslim characters. A really wonderful, thought-provoking read.
October 31, 2025
This story sheds light on the struggles of a young Muslim teenager grappling with self-identity and the clash between religious views and sexual orientation. Ramin's coming-out story is a poignant mix of highs and lows. As he navigates the complexities of being true to himself versus adhering to parental and community expectations, I found myself rooting for his courage and self-discovery.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews