Abidah El Khalieqy was born in 1965 in Jombang, East Java. This graduate of Ma’had Modern Putri PERSIS Bangil, Pasuruhan and IAIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta began to write in her youth and has been very productive throughout her career. She has published nine novels, most recently Mimpi Anak Pulau (2013), two short story collections, and the poetry collection Ibuku Laut Berkobar (1997). Her novel Perempuan Berkalung Sorban was adapted for the screen and won several awards. Genijora was judged Best Novel in a contest sponsored by the Jakarta Arts Council in 2003. Abidah’s work gives a voice to women, including victims of polygamy and domestic violence, whom she feels are still often marginalized in Indonesia. Her work has been widely anthologized and she has received numerous awards for her work.