The Professor By Faisal Tehrani

Suliza is a feminist professor who discovers her sexuality while at an Islamic religious school. After her first relationship ends in tragedy, Suliza moves to the United States to continue her studies; there, she starts researching and advocating for human rights, a journey which takes her from Cornell to Geneva and Stockholm.

Upon her return to Malaysia, she and her lawyer friend Maria are frequently the targets of conservative groups for their activism and sexuality but when Suliza meets Hashimah, a cleaner at her university whose abusive husband is a wanted terrorist, the dangers become even greater. When Hashimah’s husband is arrested an Islamist mob descends on Suliza’s house, leading to her tragic death. Crossing borders and cultures, Faisal Tehrani’s The Professor is a love story but also a mediation on the meaning of justice, sexuality and religion in a society increasingly dominated by extremism.

About Author

Mohd Faizal Musa (born 7 August 1974), also known under the pen name Faisal Tehrani, is a Malaysian author and playwright. Due to the frequent writing and ideas he was known as a controversial person. He is the author of many books and literary works of various lengths, including stage plays. National Laureate Anwar Ridwan praises of Faisal's writing "conscious of high literature and full of vision."

Faisal has won numerous literary prizes and awards, including the National Art Award (Anugerah Seni Negara) in 2006. 

He is a graduate of Bachelor of Syariah-Politics of the University of Malaya (1998), a Master of Arts from Universiti Sains Malaysia (2000), Doctor of Philosophy from the National University of Malaysia (2010). He now works at the National University of Malaysia. As a Research Fellow at the Institute of Malay World and Civilisation, his research is on the Shiite minority in the Malay world. His research is registered with the Centre for Research and Innovation Management (CRIM) of SMEs with code GGPM-2011-062. His expertise is recognized by Front Line Defenders (FLD), a body with a special status in the United Nations Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.