For me, writing a novel is like solving a puzzle. But I don't intend my novels as puzzles. I intend them as invitations to dance.

Childbirth changed my perception of my wife. She was now the bloodied special forces soldier who had fought and risked everything for our family.

Islam is not a race, yet Islamophobia partakes of racist characteristics.

Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.

It seems an obvious thing to say, but you should not imagine that we Pakistanis are all potential terrorists, just as we should not imagine that you Americans are all undercover assassins.

I think sometimes feeling that you've been marginalized opens you up to the realization that, in their own lives, almost everyone experiences marginalization, a kind of foreigner sense.

All human stories are migration stories because everyone is a refugee from their own childhood.

Time only moves in one direction. Remember that. Things always change.

I think massive migration is inevitable. As sea levels rise, as climate change happens, as fertile fields become arid, as wars are fought, people are going to move. They always have.

When the uncertain future becomes the past, the past in turn becomes uncertain.

It's important to have a non-nostalgic view and say, let's look forward, because if we don't, all we'll hear are voices telling us to go back.

Publication is a marathon, not a sprint. Writing the book is only the start.

Take risks. Whoever risk, shall know how far they can reach.

Be decisive and handle objections as they come, don't relay on others much and don't look to others to determine if you're acting right or wrong. Do what feels right for you.

Hatred is love frustrated.

How can you be of service to something other than your own ego and bank account, in a business that's inherently narcissistic?

A 41-inch bust and a lot of perseverance will get you more than a cup of coffee - a lot more.

To those we love best we say the least

Let us shout of our God from the rooftops, that the whole world would stand in silence before him.

Those that can, do. Those that can't, complain.

You just have to connect with people who believe in your vision and who will work with you and advance your cause.