Teen’s book aims to give voice to Muslim women

The teen stands out from her peers in many ways, including the subject she chose to explore in her 174-page book, "Interviews With Muslim Women of Pakistan."

"Most young adult books focus on teen body image or dating tips," Kovarik said.

Her book offers a fresh perspective on a nation that became a partner in the war on terror.

Kovarik, a senior at Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights, spent a month in Pakistan in the summer 2001. The then-13-year-old found herself fascinated by the Muslim women she encountered.

"I’d gone with the typical ideas that the women were oppressed and they’re all covered up and they don’t have the right to speak, and I was finding that a lot of those previous notions I had were not true, or at least were a bit skewed in the way they had been presented to me," said Kovarik, a member of St. John Neumann Parish in Eagan.

Her father suggested she interview the women for an article or book.

"At first I blew off the idea, but then I thought, ‘Well, if I’m really interested in this there must be a lot of other people who would be, too,’" she said in an interview with The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis.

Kovarik wanted to correct misconceptions about the Muslim women and to amplify their voices. Thus began the challenging process of conducting interviews.

Many women declined Kovarik’s interview request, and even after some agreed, she still had to obtain an OK from a male relative in each case. More than half of the men said no. But despite obstacles, Kovarik persisted, eventually setting up 10 interviews.

There was still a language barrier to surmount, as well as some of the men insisting upon being present to answer for the women or dismiss their responses. But with a translator and plenty of patience, Kovarik gathered the information she wanted.

She asked the women 10 questions, including how their lives differed from their mothers’ and grandmothers’. Today, Muslim women have significantly better medical and educational access and more jobs, Kovarik learned.

Kovarik also asked the interview subjects how they felt about being Muslim, being women and their expected gender roles.

The Muslim women in turn asked Kovarik about her Catholic faith and her life as an American teen. The younger ones inquired about American dating norms.

"Some seemed to think that all the women in the United States are like Paris Hilton," Kovarik said. "I tried to convince them that we’re not like that at all."

Just weeks after Kovarik returned from Pakistan and began eighth grade, the Sept. 11 attacks occurred, heightening the significance of the teen’s interviews. She contacted every Muslim woman again, asking about the impact of terrorism on them.

"They were as shocked and horrified as we were," Kovarik said. "They kept stressing that Islam does not in any way condone the terrorists’ actions, and they really wanted people to know that.

"I was really struck by how strong the Muslim women are in their religion," she added. "They incorporate it in their daily lives.

"I go to church on Sunday, and I take religion class, and I pray before I go to bed, but sometimes my faith falls to the bottom of my priority list," she added. "Seeing how these women integrate their faith made me want to stimulate my faith."

Published by Syren Book Co., "Interviews With Muslim Women from Pakistan" hit book stores in September 2005. It has received praise from national reviewers, including Booklist’s Hazel Rochman who wrote, "This combination of religion, contemporary voices and a message of tolerance is sure to engage teens."

Kovarik hopes her book will compel readers to strive for something she has been practicing. "When I see a person, I automatically judge them. I think most people do," she said. "But these women have taught me that you really can’t judge a book by the cover. You have to dig deeper."