An intensely brave, gorgeously written story about a gay Muslim teen who has to choose between being true to himself or his faith—and his realization that maybe they aren’t as separate as he thought.
Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions
By Ahmad Saber
Caitlyn Dlouhy Books is proud to publish Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions by Ahmad Saber (on sale March 3, 2026; ages 14+). Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets The Poet X in this sumptuously written debut novel featuring a teen wrestling with being gay and being a devout Muslim and finding a way to reconcile the two. It is inspired by the author’s own life!
1. Music is haram. But what if the Wicked soundtrack is the only thing keeping you sane because you’re being forced to play on the soccer team? With Captain Handsome?!
2. A boy crush is double haram, and Ramin’s parents will never accept it. But can he really be the only Muslim on Earth who feels this way?
3. Allah is merciful and makes no mistakes. Then isn’t Ramin just the way Allah intended him to be?
And so why should living your truth but losing everything—or living a lie and losing yourself—have to be a choice?!
With graduation, a championship soccer match, and the blackmail looming, the pressure on Ramin is too much to keep buried. He must decide between the consequences of speaking his truth and living a lie. He must decide which Allah lives in the little mosque in his heart.
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★ “Debut author Saber handles [the] conflicts sensitively, drawing readers into the complicated experience of being both Muslim and gay, offering visibility to teens who share these identities, and expanding conversations about how queer individuals often turn to religion for solace even when family and faith-based communities reject them. Through the supporting cast members, Saber highlights the healing power of love, friendship, sibling bonds, and trusted adults in a queer teenager’s life. He emphasizes how inclusive interpretations of scripture can create room for queer-affirming religious life and compellingly explores the guilt associated with emigration and the stigma around seeking professional mental health support in many South Asian and Muslim families. These heavier elements are beautifully contrasted with Ramin’s humorous voice and his ability to soothe himself through the joy he finds in origami and Broadway musicals. An ode to the courage it takes to live with authenticity.” – Kirkus, starred review
“[A] touching debut... Punchy dialogue brightens sensitive portrayals of religious identity and its intersection with queerness, resulting in a fresh and compassionate read.” – Publishers Weekly
“Wonderful … The prose flows like a friend calling on FaceTime. Ramin is funny, relatable, and filled with pop culture knowledge. This is a story that will show people they aren’t alone … An excellent addition to any library. This would be a great recommendation for readers looking for LGBTQIA+ books, stories about friendship, books about sports, and realistic fiction.” – School Library Journal
MEET AHMAD SABER ON TOUR
Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 6:00pm ET
Books of Wonder (New York, NY)
In conversation with Zakiya N. Jamal
Saturday, April 18, 2026
BookCon (New York, NY)
Saturday, April 25, 2026
YALLWEST (Santa Monica, CA)
ADDITIONAL PRAISE FOR RAMIN ABBAS HAS MAJOR QUESTIONS
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Winter/Spring 2026 Indies Introduce Selection
A March/April 2026 Kids’ Indie Next List Selection
“A poignant and affirming story … Through relatable characters and thought-provoking conversations, Saber sensitively explores the fragile intersection of faith and sexuality, as well as the inner turmoil that arises when the two seem at odds. A powerful read that recognizes and supports queer Muslims, recommended for fans of Abdi Nazemianand S. K. Ali.” – Booklist
“The writing feels intimate and thoughtful, giving space to doubt, curiosity, and the tender moments of growing upwhile trying to understand who you are and where you fit. It’s the kind of story you want to read slowly, letting it unfold at its own gentle, powerful pace ... A tender, reflective novel that moves through belief, identity, and growing up with honesty and restraint. Thoughtful and emotionally grounded, it lingers in small moments and big questions alike. Everyone should know about this story, and everyone should read it.” – YA Shelf
“A sharp, character driven story centered on curiosity, identity, and the courage it takes to ask hard questions ... A thoughtful, emotionally grounded read with plenty to unpack.” – Book Crushin’
“A heartfelt and poignant story about faith, love, joy, and queer identity.” – She Does The City
“Funny, tender, and evocative, Ramin Abbas had me laughing out loud, kicking my feet, and clutching my heart in equal measure, with its unique yet all-too-relatable protagonist that keeps you rooting for him to figure out the answers to those Major Questions of faith that could cost him everything and to find the light amidst the darkness of doubt. A queer Muslim journey of the heart that boldly holds on to both a prayer mat and a Pride flag.” – Xiran Jay Zhao, bestselling author of the Iron Widow series and Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor
“Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions is the perfect blend of heart and humor, while earnestly exploring faith, love, and family. A powerful and unputdownable book.” – Adiba Jagirdar, award-winning author of The Henna Wars
“Equal parts heart-wrenching and endlessly hopeful, Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions does not pull any punches. With a tender love story amid a world of pressure, and a sibling dynamic to cheer us up in the darkest of moments, this book felt like the gift my younger self desperately needed.” – Sonora Reyes, National Book Award Finalist and bestselling author of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School
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