A home for stories.
A space for discovery.
A growing collection of my books and writing, exploring lived experience, education and belonging. Discover the titles below and follow future editions and releases.
Books, ideas and future editions.
Discover the available books below, with original covers, summaries and details of each PDF. Read a book online or save a copy using your PDF reader. This library also preserves my first handwritten field study from 2009, alongside community publications and future releases.
Explore the research behind the writing.
Multicultural & Community Research
Refugee student experiences, education, belonging and collaborative community projects.
البحوث والدراسات في التعددية الثقافية والمجتمع
Explore the research →البحوث والدراسات الإسلامية
إحدى عشرة حكاية، وخريطة تسلسل القراءة والفهارس بالعربية والإنجليزية، مع النسختين العربية والإنكليزية من «حكاية الكون» و«حكاية الهداية – الجزء الأول».
Eleven books, a reading map and bilingual contents outlines, now including Arabic and English PDFs of The Story of the Universe and The Story of Divine Guidance, Volume One.
Explore Islamic Research & Studies →واقع المدينة: الواقع البيئي والصحي لمدينة الحمزة
City Reality: The Environmental and Health Conditions of Al-Hamza
First-edition manuscript cover · 2009قراءة وتنزيل الكتاب (PDF)
Read / download the PDF١٧٣ صفحة متوفرة · نحو ٤٣ ميغابايت
173 available pages · approx. 43 MB
Where my writing journey began.
Hussam Saraf’s first book is a field study of the environmental and health conditions of Al-Hamza, Iraq, undertaken in 2009 as a preventive-health researcher. Authored by Hussam Saraf, the manuscript was handwritten by calligrapher Haider Hashim.
With limited resources, 100 copies were photocopied and professionally bound in Al-Diwaniyah, then distributed free to the government institutions concerned with the study, accompanied by official correspondence.
«واقع المدينة» أول كتاب ألّفه حسام الصراف، وهو دراسة ميدانية عن الواقع البيئي والصحي لمدينة الحمزة في العراق، أعدّها بصفته باحثًا وقائيًا سنة ٢٠٠٩. تتكوّن المخطوطة من ٣٨٢ صفحة، وقد كتبها بخطّه الخطاط حيدر هاشم.
بإمكانات محدودة، أُنتجت ١٠٠ نسخة بالاستنساخ وجُلّدت احترافيًا في الديوانية، ثم وُزّعت مجانًا على الدوائر الحكومية المعنية بالدراسة، بكتب رسمية.
Writing that gives experience a voice.
Explore five books and the Al-Husseini Articles collection in one place: refugee student experiences, education, community research, a collaborative children’s storybook and early writing. Select a cover or use the reading link to open a book.
Just the Right Book for EAL Students
Written by Hussam Saraf
A Guide to Choosing the Right Book for EAL Students (Years 7–12)
English · 12-page PDF
A practical guide for students and educators to choose reading material that matches English proficiency, personal interests and cultural relevance. It offers steps for assessing reading needs, exploring library resources, trying different genres, discussing books and tracking progress, with the aim of building confidence, independence and enjoyment in reading.
Through Their Eyes
Written by Hussam Saraf
The Untold Journeys of Refugee Students During COVID-19
English · 60-page PDF
Stories exploring how refugee students faced remote learning, language barriers, limited access to technology and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside students’ struggles and resilience, the book examines the work of EAL teachers, families and multicultural liaison officers in maintaining connection, supporting learning and helping young people find hope.
Between the Ashes and the Stars
Written by Hussam Saraf
A Window into the Lives of Refugee Students
English · 36-page PDF
A collection of stories exploring displacement, survival and the search for belonging through the experiences of refugee children. The book follows journeys from conflict and refugee camps to new classrooms and communities, highlighting the role of education, friendship and caring teachers. Names are changed to protect the children’s identities.
Ask the Cows
Written by Adelle Brown and Katrina Rowland
A story about difference, inclusion and belonging
English · 31-page PDF
Mummy Cow and Baby Cow visit Shepparton and discover the diverse cultures and backgrounds of its people through the city’s Moooving Art cows. Developed through Greater Shepparton City Council’s Community Leadership Program 2017, with Hussam Saraf as a member of the project team.
مقالات الحسيني
Written by Hussam Saraf · سيد حسام الصراف الحسيني
Al-Husseini Articles
Arabic + English · 63-page collected PDF
Reading edition 2026 · Original publications 2009–2010
ثماني مقالات من بداياتي في الكتابة، مع لقاء أجراه أحمد السجادي سنة ٢٠٠٩. تجمع هذه الطبعة النصوص العربية الأصلية، ويلي كل نص ترجمته الإنجليزية، مع روابط النشر الأصلية وتواريخها.
Eight articles from my early writing years, together with the 2009 interview conducted by Ahmed al-Sajjadi. Each original Arabic text is followed by an English translation and links to its dated forum publications.
واقع المدينة
Written by Hussam Saraf · تأليف حسام الصراف
City Reality: The Environmental and Health Conditions of Al-Hamza
Arabic · PDF of 173 available manuscript pages
A field study of the environmental and health conditions of Al-Hamza, Iraq. The reading edition brings together the available photographed pages in their original order, beginning with the handwritten title page after the cover. The full original manuscript contains 382 pages.
Islamic Books
Explore the series, reading map & chapter contents →
استكشف السلسلة وخريطة القراءة وفهارس الفصول
حكاية الكون
من بدء الخلق إلى مشاهد الآخرة
النسختان العربية والإنكليزية متاحتان (PDF)
ISBN: 978-1-7642390-1-1
آخر تحديث للملفات: ١٤ أكتوبر ٢٠٢٦
PDFs updated: 14 October 2026
قراءة وتنزيل النسخة العربية ↗
٥٣٨ صفحة · ١٢٫١ ميغابايت · طباعة ↗
Read / download the English edition ↗
510 pages · 6.9 MB · Print ↗
بحث في الكون بوصفه مجالًا للتأمل في آيات الخلق: السماوات والأرض، والزمن والنور، والحياة، وما ورد عن تحوّل المشهد الكوني في الآخرة. يجمع النصوص ذات الصلة ويعرض دلالاتها، مع التمييز بين النص الديني والتفسير والمعرفة العلمية وحدود كل منها.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of the Universe
From the Beginning of Creation to the Scenes of the Hereafter
Arabic and English PDF editions available
A study of the universe as a field for reflection on the signs of creation: the heavens and earth, time and light, life, and accounts of the transformation of the cosmos in the Hereafter. It brings together relevant texts while distinguishing religious text, interpretation and scientific knowledge.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية النبات
من آيات الخلق إلى مشاهد الآخرة
مكتوب وغير مطبوع
دراسة للنبات والأشجار والثمار والإنبات في القرآن الكريم وروايات أهل البيت عليهم السلام. تصل بين التأمل في الحياة النباتية، وحضور النبات في قصص الأنبياء والأمثال، وعلاقته بمعيشة الإنسان وأخلاقه وما ورد عنه في مشاهد الآخرة.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Plants
From the Signs of Creation to the Scenes of the Hereafter
Written and unprinted
A study of plants, trees, fruit and growth in the Quran and the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt. It connects reflection on plant life with its place in prophetic accounts and parables, human livelihoods and conduct, and descriptions of the Hereafter.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الحيوان
من بدء الخلق إلى مشاهد الحشر
مكتوب وغير مطبوع
يتناول عالم الحيوان كما تحضره الآيات والروايات: خلقه وأممه، وصلته بالإنسان والبيئة، وحضوره في قصص الأنبياء وسيرة النبي وأهل البيت عليهم السلام. ويبحث الرحمة بالحيوان وحقوقه، وما ورد عن موته وحشره، مع حفظ حدود الدليل.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Animals
From the Beginning of Creation to the Scenes of the Gathering
Written and unprinted
An exploration of animals in Quranic verses and transmitted reports: their creation and communities, their relationships with people and the environment, and their place in the lives of the prophets and Ahl al-Bayt. It also considers compassion, animal rights, death and the Gathering within the limits of the evidence.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الملائكة
من بدء الخلق إلى مشاهد الآخرة
مكتوب وغير مطبوع
يجمع ما ورد عن الملائكة وأسمائهم وصفاتهم ووظائفهم في القرآن الكريم والروايات، وعلاقتهم بالوحي والأنبياء وحياة الإنسان والموت والآخرة. ويهتم بتمييز الاسم الثابت بالنص من الأوصاف والأخبار التي تحتاج إلى بيان مصدرها ودرجة ثبوتها.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Angels
From the Beginning of Creation to the Scenes of the Hereafter
Written and unprinted
A study of angels, their names, attributes and roles in the Quran and narrations, including their relationship with revelation, the prophets, human life, death and the Hereafter. It distinguishes names established by the texts from descriptions and reports requiring examination of their sources and evidentiary status.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الجن
من بدء الخلق إلى مشاهد الآخرة
مكتوب وغير مطبوع
بحث في عالم الجن كما تعرضه المصادر القرآنية والروائية، من الخلق وقصة إبليس إلى التكليف والاستجابة للرسالة وعلاقتهم بالإنسان. يعرض النصوص والأخبار مع التمييز بين ما تثبته الأدلة وما شاع في الحكايات والتصورات الشعبية.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Jinn
From the Beginning of Creation to the Scenes of the Hereafter
Written and unprinted
A study of the jinn in Quranic and transmitted sources, from creation and the account of Iblis to moral responsibility, responses to the divine message and relationships with humanity. It distinguishes evidence-based accounts from popular stories and assumptions.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الخلق قبل آدم
النسناس والعوالم السابقة في المصادر الشيعية
مكتوب وغير مطبوع
دراسة لما ورد في المصادر الشيعية عن النسناس والعوالم السابقة لعهد آدم عليه السلام. يركّز على ألفاظ الأخبار ومعانيها وحدود ما يمكن إثباته، ويميز المروي من المقطوع به، مع إحالة التفصيل في الملائكة والجن إلى كتابيهما المستقلين.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Creation before Adam
Nasnas and Earlier Worlds in Shia Sources
Written and unprinted
An inquiry into Shia-source reports concerning nasnas and worlds preceding Adam. It examines the wording, meaning and limits of the evidence, distinguishing transmitted accounts from established conclusions. Detailed studies of angels and jinn belong to their separate books.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الإنسان
من بدء الخلق إلى ما بعد الموت
مكتوب وغير مطبوع
يربط البحث في خلق الإنسان ومراحل حياته بين النصوص الدينية والمعرفة العلمية والبيولوجية والتشريحية، مع تمييز مجال كل منها. يمتد من بدايات الحياة وتكوّن الجسد إلى العقل والنفس والروح والمرض ونهاية الحياة وما يرد عن القبر والبرزخ والبعث.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of the Human Being
From the Beginning of Creation to Beyond Death
Written and unprinted
A study of human creation and the stages of life that brings religious texts into conversation with scientific, biological and anatomical knowledge while distinguishing their respective fields. It moves from the beginnings of life and bodily development to mind, soul, illness, death, the grave, the intermediate realm and resurrection.
حكاية الهداية – الجزء الأول
من بداية الخلق إلى خاتم الأنبياء
النسختان العربية والإنكليزية متاحتان (PDF)
ISBN: 978-1-7642390-4-2
قراءة وتنزيل النسخة العربية ↗
١٢٨٥ صفحة · ١٠٫٨ ميغابايت · طباعة ↗
Read / download the English edition ↗
1162 pages · 9.9 MB · Print ↗
الكتاب الثامن في السلسلة، نشأ من أسئلة الأبناء والطلبة والشباب وحاجتهم إلى سرد متصل يفهمون به مسيرة الهداية. يتابع الأنبياء والأوصياء وحملة العهد، والرجال والنساء والأسر المرتبطة بهم، ثم يصل المعرفة بمسؤولية الإنسان في حياته. الجزء الأول متاح الآن للقراءة والتحميل بالعربية والإنكليزية، والأجزاء اللاحقة قيد العمل.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Divine Guidance
A work in four volumes
Arabic and English editions available · First edition 2026 · Later volumes in progress
The eighth book in the series grew from the questions of children, students and young people, and their need for a connected account of divine guidance. It follows prophets, successors, bearers of the covenant, and the women, men and families connected with them, linking knowledge to human responsibility. Volume One is available in Arabic (1,285 pages) and English (1,162 pages). The later volumes remain in progress.
Read / download the complete Arabic edition (PDF) ↗
Read / download the English edition ↗
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الروح
الخَلْق العظيم الذي يسدّد الله به النبي والأئمة
جارٍ العمل عليه
مشروع لدراسة دلالات الروح في القرآن وروايات أهل البيت عليهم السلام، وبخاصة الروايات المتصلة بتسديد النبي والأئمة. يفصل موضوعه عن دراسة النفس الإنسانية، ويبحث اختلاف الاستعمالات وصلتها بالملائكة والوحي وليلة القدر، مع إبقاء النتائج تابعة لدراسة النصوص.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of the Spirit
The Great Created Being Through Whom Allah Guides and Supports the Prophet and the Imams
Work in progress
A project examining the Spirit (al-Ruh) in the Quran and the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt, especially reports concerning support granted to the Prophet and the Imams. It distinguishes this subject from the human soul and studies its relationship with angels, revelation and the Night of Decree.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الجنة
أهلها ونعيمها وما ورد عن خلقها
جارٍ العمل عليه
مشروع يجمع موضوعات الجنة وأهلها ونعيمها وما ورد عن خلقها في القرآن والروايات. ويتناول الحور العين والولدان المخلدين وأصلهم وصفاتهم في حدود النصوص، مع التمييز بين الأوصاف الثابتة وما يحتاج إلى بحث وتوثيق.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Paradise
Its Inhabitants, Bliss and Accounts of Its Creation
Work in progress
A project bringing together Quranic and transmitted accounts of Paradise, its inhabitants, its bliss and its creation. It includes the houris and ever-youthful attendants, examining accounts of their origins and attributes within the limits of the texts.
العربية ↗ · English title page ↗
حكاية الخَلْق الذي لا نعلمه
العوالم المجهولة وحدود المعرفة
جارٍ العمل عليه
بحث قيد العمل في النصوص التي تتحدث عن عوالم ومخلوقات لم تُكشف لنا تفاصيلها. ينظم أسئلة المعلوم والمجهول وحدود الاستدلال، ويناقش الأخبار والمصطلحات والاحتمالات دون تحويلها إلى حقائق مقطوع بها أو الخلط بينها وبين النظريات العلمية.
English · Title, overview and status
The Story of Creation We Do Not Know
Unknown Worlds and the Limits of Knowledge
Work in progress
A work in progress on texts concerning worlds and creatures whose details have not been disclosed to us. It examines the known, the unknown and the limits of inference, discussing reports, terms and possibilities without presenting them as established facts or conflating them with scientific theories.
Future titles and editions.
Embarrassing Diversity in Education
A Call to Redefine Our Future
A forthcoming work exploring the importance of diversity in shaping education and encouraging more inclusive learning communities.
Publication and edition details will be added when available.
I introduced this forthcoming book as a call to reconsider how education responds to diversity, drawing on a decade of learning and community work. I also reflected on my first Arabic book, The Reality of the City (2009), and my contribution to the Ask the Cows community storybook project (2017).
Read my original announcement ↗ · My first book and original cover → · Ask the Cows project →
New titles and editions will be added as the collection grows.
A story created together.
Ask the Cows
I worked with my team to develop this children’s picture storybook during Greater Shepparton City Council’s 2017 Community Leadership Program. Set in Shepparton and inspired by its Moooving Art cows, the story introduces children to difference, inclusion and belonging.
Written by: Adelle Brown and Katrina Rowland.
My involvement: member of the project team, contributing to the development and community sharing of the book.
Free community distribution. Our project team shared free copies with libraries, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, community centres and other community settings across Shepparton.
Read the storybook
31 photographed pages · 19 MB
English · 2017
Community Leadership Program · Graduation, 2017
The people behind the project.
Project team and contributors: Hussam Saraf, Kara McCann, Karen Sacuzzo, Katrina Rowland and Adelle Brown are acknowledged in the book for their work and advice, alongside the program’s facilitators, organisers and participants.
Supporters and organisations credited in the book: Greater Shepparton City Council; Word and Mouth; Shepparton Interfaith Network; Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc.; and Imam Kadhim Mosque – The Iraqi Community Centre.
Illustrators and special acknowledgements
Illustration credits
| Illustration | Illustrator |
|---|---|
| Tourist Cow and Cowch Cow | Cosimo Rando |
| Police Cow | Dante Mori |
| Fruity Calf and Riverconnect Cow | Karren Pollerd (Shepparton ACE College) |
| Business Moo | Katie Mason |
| Nuclear | Helen Jeffs |
| Book Cowse | Alexa Mori |
| Skater Cow | Jet James (Year 8 student) |
| Bluey | Courtney Grigg |
| Rumbalara Cow | Ronald Thompson (aged 76) |
| Australia Cow | Peter Maloney |
Special acknowledgements
The book thanks Matthew Walker, Shepparton Police Multicultural Liaison Officer; Dean Lloyd, Shepparton Police Youth Resource Officer; Jim Gow of Word and Mouth; and The People’s Picnic organisers Helen, Steve, Jack and Zia, who helped launch the book.
It also acknowledges Greater Shepparton City Council’s assistance, advice, permissions, support and guidance. The original printed edition was limited to 200 copies.
Read the original acknowledgements and credits in the book ↗
Taking the book into the community.
These photographs document the team project’s journey into libraries and schools, where copies of Ask the Cows were shared with staff, students and young readers.
Writing with purpose
My writing is another way to explore ideas, share experiences and encourage understanding. This space will bring those works together in one organised collection.
The same commitment informs my film The Way to Freedom (Part 1: The Journey), connecting storytelling with education, community and belonging.
Explore the film and director’s statement →Books & Projects photo albums.
Browse photographs by project, occasion and story.
