The Intruder

Hiyam, a young woman of twenty, navigates the aftermath of a turbulent childhood marred by instability. Following the mysterious death of her parents, she finds herself in a psychiatric hospital, placed there by the police. Her journey takes a new turn when her grandmother brings her to Morocco, setting the stage for unfolding events that delve deep into the human soul and the struggles of mental illness.

This novel transports readers to the heart of Morocco, immersing them in its rich rituals, customs, and culinary delights, while exploring its tourist and archaeological treasures. Through Hiyam’s eyes, we experience the complexity of seeking healing and understanding in a world filled with both beauty and pain.

Ameena Hashim al-Kohaji was born in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Education, specializing in Arabic language and Sharia, and a Higher Diploma in School Leadership with Distinction and Honors at the Teachers College at the University of Bahrain.

She worked as a teacher of the Arabic language, then as a primary teacher of the same subject in several government schools where she was promoted to the position of assistant principal, then school principal, and then retired. She is a member of the Bahrain Writers Association and the Short Story Forum. She is also a member of Kano Cultural Center and President of the Southern Governorate Cultural and Social Association.

She began writing stories at an early age, and her stories were published in many local and Arab newspapers. In 2007 and 2009, she won first place in the annual ministerial competition organized by the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In 2021, she won first place in the competition organized by the Short Story Forum of the Family of Authors and Writers, and second place in the Abdul Jabbar Ali Competition for Narrative Creativity. She won second place in the Family of Authors and Writers Short Story Competition in its third edition in 2023.

She published her first short story collection, Hell of Divorced Women, in 2008, and the second, The Strange Visitor, in 2009. She also published the novel The Magician in 2016 AD, the short story collection A Director’s Memoirs in 2020, the novel Goré in 2020, and the novel Jane in 2021.