Written by Noor Arif
A grass-covered field gleams with reflected sunlight. Paintbrushes, pens, and papers lie scattered across the ground, their wielders close by. The soft laughter of a community at peace fills the air. In this ethereal space, writers and artists work together, using their talents to please Allah.
Though we haven’t quite discovered a place where this fantasy has become a reality, a close second can be found in the budding Purely Shelved Literary Magazine–a platform that strives to become the creative space for all Muslims.
Begun in January by a member of the Houston community, the magazine serves as a way for Muslim writers and artists to use their talent to please Allah. Purely Shelved plans to release seasonal “issues,” or themes, and the work they accept must reflect the corresponding theme. Currently, the magazine is open for submissions to Issue 02, a themed call looking for works related to the concept of Sabr, or patience for the sake of Allah. The submission window closes on May 1st.
Purely Shelved aims to connect Muslim creatives from across the world to help them learn from one another, create a sense of community, and unite the greater Ummah. By providing a publishing platform for Muslims, the magazine provides the chance to not only boost resumes, but to amplify the voices of many creatives and highlight Islam-aligned work that, normally, would not appear in the average literary magazine.
Moreover, just as the global Ummah doesn’t differentiate between the “types” of Muslims, any and every Muslim is eligible to submit to Purely Shelved–regardless of age, skill, race, sect, or gender. “Everyone has a unique voice, a different voice, and we really want the magazine to reflect that, to reflect the diversity of the Muslim Ummah,” explains the founder. “Our only requirement is that your work relates to the current theme.”
Currently, the magazine only accepts written pieces for Issue 02: Sabr, including poetry, prose, essays, and more. However, staff applications for Purely Shelved are currently open as well; they are looking for aspiring Muslim artists to be a part of staff so they can also accept art pieces in the future. Other available staff positions include graphic designers, social media managers, outreach manager, prose editor, and poetry editor.
The image of a field covered in grass, a day full of sun, and creative materials scattered across the ground may only be a reality in Jannah. However, with the support of the community, Purely Shelved has the potential to blossom into a thriving space for Muslim creatives. Check out their website to submit to Issue 02, fill out a staff application, and stay updated: https://purelyshelved.my.canva.site/