Fatima bint Nasser... and the story of the book

A collection of books arrived at my home from the Omani capital, Muscat, sent by Ms. Nadia Salim Al-Shawi. Among them was a book that caught my attention more than the others, featuring an important title, a short sentence beneath it explaining its content, and cover images that further drew my interest.

In one of those readings that do not take long due to their brevity, yet remain more deeply embedded in memory than we might expect, I finished the book *Bibi Mizoun and Her Doctor Ann*, by author Fatima bint Nasser, published by Qira’a Al-Ma’rifa Library, in its second edition.

“The only condition was that the book would not be reprinted before I sought new material to add to the second edition. I decided that the new content for the second edition would be my trip to London to meet the doctor face-to-face. This is another adventure whose details you will learn about in this book.”

This quote appears in the preface to the second edition of *Bibi Mizoun and Her Doctor Ann*. Indeed, the author added distinctive material to the second edition, making it more significant and beautiful. It included a direct, face-to-face meeting with the doctor, Amira, in London, along with additional details not mentioned in the first edition. In this quote, the author briefly explains the genesis of the book and how it evolved from a mere journalistic interview into a full-fledged book project.

The book is neither a traditional biography nor a dry documentary work; rather, it is a sincere human dialogue. As you read it, you feel as though you are sitting and listening to a story told calmly, without exaggeration or pretense.

The book’s very concept is striking: a British doctor who embraces Islam after a profound human experience, not through intellectual debate or lengthy discussions, but through a specific moment and through the influence of a great personality.

What captivated me most in the book was the presence of Ms. Mizoun bint Ahmed Al-Mashani, mother of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, not merely as a historical name or public figure, but as a human being who left her mark on those around her. She is not presented in a formal or stereotypical manner; instead, she emerges through small details: a word, a stance, a look of trust, and a quiet yet deep faith.

Dr. Ann Coxson—who later became “Amira”—speaks of a pivotal moment that remained etched in her memory, when Ms. Mizoun, while undergoing a serious health crisis, said: “God is my Guardian, and He is the One who cares for me.” This phrase, in its simplicity, was not fleeting; it was sufficient to open an inner door for the doctor, prompting her to ask herself a question she had never faced before: “Why do I not possess this certainty?”

From here begins the transformation, not as a sudden event, but as a long internal journey, where feelings and impressions accumulate until they lead to the decision to embrace Islam.

Notably, the book does not present this journey as a dramatic event, but as a quiet, natural, and convincing human path.

The book succeeds in offering a different perspective on the relationship between East and West: not conflict, nor preconceived judgments, but a simple human convergence based on mutual respect and influence. It also sheds light on an important aspect of Ms. Mizoun’s character: her strength, calmness, faith, and ability to influence without pretense.

The book is filled with noble meanings. A reader may finish it in a single session, but certain sentences within it will stay with you for a long time. I believe its true value lies not only in the information it provides, but in the sincere feeling it leaves behind.

At the conclusion of this remarkable humanitarian endeavor, I cannot but extend my gratitude to writer Fatima bint Nasser for her efforts in conveying and documenting this interview with British physician Ann Cookson, which was imbued with profound humanistic and intellectual depth. Her transformation of the book’s trajectory is equally commendable; rather than resting on the initial material, her experience and passion led her to reinvigorate the concept through her journey to London and her face-to-face meeting with the physician. This process culminated in the second edition, which is more mature and enriched, seamlessly integrating the original documentation with the vitality of firsthand field experience.