Jinn in the Family: Islamic Folklore, Cultural Identity and Mental Health with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Rehman Yousuf Abdulrehman

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Dr. Rehman Yousuf Abdulrehman, a clinical psychologist and the author of the best-selling novel Jinn in the Family. We explore jinn folklore with a focus on cultural identity and mental health diagnosis and practice, and how writing fiction can serve as a form of therapy and creative fulfillment.

The novel centers around jinn, supernatural beings from Islamic and Zanzibar folklore, often misunderstood in Western culture as mere "genies." Jinn are described as beings created from smokeless fire, distinct from angels and humans, possessing free will and capable of good or evil. This nuanced portrayal challenges the typical Western dichotomy of good versus evil by presenting them as complex characters with motivations shaped by their experiences.

Although the novel is presented as a ghost story, it also serves as a metaphor for diaspora identity, cultural heritage, and trauma alongside occasional potential clashes with a predominantly Western scientific paradigm. As a result, the book invites readers to re-evaluate and perhaps even question certain traditional notions of good and evil.

Moreover, Dr. Abdulrehman emphasizes the importance of openness to different cultural perspectives, particularly in mental health, where misdiagnosis can occur due to cultural misunderstandings. He advocates for integrating Eastern philosophies and traditional knowledge hand-in-hand with Western scientific approaches. The novel also addresses the need for diverse cultural narratives in literature, especially those from non-Eurocentric backgrounds, to enrich global storytelling while also providing a colorful metaphor for understanding inner and psychological differences and variations between individuals that have a range of diverse experiences.