Kittish Banter is a graphic novel in progress about Irsim, who leaves their mother's conservative Muslim household, and Farah who manages and lives in a house-share owned by her family, as well as the other three big cats who live in this majority Queer-Muslim home.

Kittish banter was shortlisted for the First Graphic Novel award in 2025!

The novel is set in an alternate UK where many species of anthropomorphic cats take on the roles of humans. KB will explore themes of intersectionality, queer and immigrant solidarity, and the strength that people with PTSD need to accept help from others.

Irsim (they/them, nonbinary), the white tiger is a first-gen immigrant ex-Muslim with religious trauma. They move into a shared house in "Leads" with their Muslim friend Igri, despite their mother's reluctance.

It doesn't take long for Irsim to realize that their newfound freedom will be disturbed, thanks to the landlord's nosy daughter...

Farah (she/her, transgender), the lioness is a second-gen immigrant and daughter of their shared landlord. She upholds the Muslim ideals of community, charity, and kindness in everything she does... even if that means inconveniencing others.

Her obsession with helping Irsim extends beyond her usual antics, could there be something about them that's caused her to act this way?

Igri (she/her, or he/him, genderfluid), the cheetah is Irsim's close online friend and one of Farah's "BFFsies". Although she tends to be quiet and blunt, he has a deep love of sports science, bugs, and consistent rituals such as Wudu'.

He is the reason that Irsim moves into their shared house.

Harrak (she/her, GNC butch), the Jaguar is a family friend of Farah's. The pair have known each other since childhood, having studied at the same mosque. Though she tries her best to appear cool, she is actually a hopeless romantic who can't hide it from her long-term crush.

She's a qualified electrician who upkeeps the house for free, while acting as a mediator when the going gets tough.

Sabit (she/her, transgender), the cougar is a childhood friend of Harrak's, and a decently successful martial artist. Despite being the only full-time hijabi of the group, she is quite critical of Islam and seems to share a lot of Irsim's sentiments on the topic.

It seems like she and Farah may have some shared history, even though they insist they've only met in recent years.