In my opinion, the picture book “11 Words For Love” written by Randa Abdel-Fattah and illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke is profoundly Kartiniist.
As I see it, the book defines the single most important non-physical ingredient for personal health and social cohesion in family terms which kids and therefore hopefully everybody should be able to understand.
That is what Kartini dedicated her life to doing. That’s what made her a national hero revered in the fourth biggest country in the world, Austraia’s near neighbour, the Republic Of Indonesia.
I believe “11 Words For Love” is a great book. It addresses what Australia (a.k.a. Terra Nullius) desperately needs and has needed for a long time – a social order that begins with love.
Sadly, modern Australia does not really know what to do with such an idea.
Australia can pretend to love, but was founded on the denial of the existence and rights of others through the concept Terra Nullius.
Here are some discursive thoughts, from me, on 2 of the 11 words. I hope these ideas help to explain why I find “11 Words For Love” so wonderfully Kartiniist.
“Al Hob” (The Love) is connected to the word “Habibi” (“my love”, “my dear” or “my darling”) It can be a person’s name in the form Habibie. I regard President BJ Habibie (pictured above with his beloved mum Raden Ayu Tuti Marini Puspowardojo) as Indonesia’s most exciting quick achiever president ever. He gave East Timor more generous terms for a vote on independence than those proposed to Habibie by Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Habibie also established freedom of the press and set many political prisoners free. These were all truly outstanding acts of love.
“Al Wud” is closely related to the word “Wadud” which is name for God meaning “loving one” and also the name of American born Islamic theologian Amina Wadud who now lives in Yogyakarta in Indonesia and has written, “Those who truly believe in the Quran would equally wish for the woman the opportunities and growth and productivity which they demand for the man.”
I love the way Randa and Maxine have introduced profoundly important concepts from the rich and beautiful Arabic langiage into English literature.
Geoff Fox, March 24th, 2026, West Footscray, Australia
KARTINIISME 