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Title: American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion
ISBN: 031242745X
Author:
Paul M. Barrett
Publicate Date: 2007-12-26
Publish: 2007-12-26
List Price: $15.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $8.00
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $4.41
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1: Struggle of Immigrants with Islams Teachings of Ecumenical Spirit while Living in the Western Context
it samples out key figures that are caught in the web of the struggle and identity of Isams presentation in the US, post and pre-9/11. while it is important to note, who he actually lists in the work, i also wondered why he left certain folks out.
these are the main strands of thought worked out in the work
i. the first Arab American Community in Dearbon, the integration of politics within the larger context of pre and post 9-11 antics of GWB and Gore. i found it to be a very learning experience, since the Dearbon Community as much as it is known for it's shi'ite presence, there was and over-whelming opposition from the community at large against the War in Iraq. the man iconed in the work is one who manages an Arab news paper
ii. the second is an african American muslim Imam, his struggles in the pre and post 9-11 world in the back drop of the City of Brooklyn, NY! while the imam has said training in KSA, his literalist interpration of the Quran, ties with the blind Sheikh, and the persual of the law enforcement agencies in making him accomplice to acts of terrorism are discussed at length.
more importantly the much much positive aspect of the work is the blend of african american self-reliance, combined with the faith that Islam gives them in terms of dignity and self-respect, and the ways to inculcate a way of living that dignifies them is truly remark-able as exemplified in the speeches of this imam.
iii. a focus on one scholar - who has perhaps written extensively and literally exposed the literal and fundamentalist understanding of Islam, aka, palace Fundamentalism/Wahabi Islam (from Fatima Mernissi) - speaks of his individual journey, from the streets of Cairo, to that of Yale, Princeton, UCLA, and then back to the Egypt and to a certain extent the torture chambers of the Egyptian Government. the authors intent is to simply amplify that Islam always has had diversity in the past, and as such the narrow path trodden by current day Wahabis is an affront to what 1400 years of scholarship has given Islam
iv. the Sufi - perhaps the most detested group among Immigrant and not to forget Wahabi muslims. it all begins from CA, and highlights the struggles of ecumenism that many Sufi muslims who are close to this practice of Islam face, when they want to set up their own centres. not to forget the apolitical and hyperboles used by Sufis in describing other muslims, not just Wahabi muslims has caused a great ire among other muslim Groups
v. then a web Master, a Ph.D student from KSA, who gets caught up in the web of the governments hunt for tracking down terrorists and terrorist activities.
discusses the freedom of speech, within the context of "speech it-self" and the "speech encouraging agitation and civil un-rest".
governments failuture to understand the boundaries between the two has caused much grief, dis-trust and a psyche that lends lesser and lesser credibility to the words of the GWB and the govt Institutions, let alone an avoidance of sorts for the fear of being caught up in their web of deceit. the then, Attorney General Ashcroft, the Patriot Act are discussed at length. in the authors word, muslims love US, but distrust US Foreign Policy
vi. tracing the roots of an arab student, who comes to study in the US and whose MSA is funded and supported by KSA. their extreme views shrouded in the agony of a defeatist mentality, ascribing epithets like pigs and swines and Jews and Christians during friday Sermons. i have observed this quite often, having been through several institutions in the US, to the point that i stopped attending friday prayers and would rather find Sufi or other work places where muslims would form smaller friday prayer groups
vii. lastly, a muslim feminist, who fights for her right to pray along muslim men within the same room - at least in the back, as opposed to be confined in the narrow quarters of a dingy room, served food later.
i will say that the author is extremely, extremely critical of immigrants (and rightly so), and particulary the mindsets of immigrants who put them-selves on the pedestals of leadership owing to their technical or medical degrees. the arab Students are particular singled out, since they bring the roots of this fundamentalist mindset, and are by and large put to the forefront since they arew able to speak arabic.
the author does maintain, that muslims need to take owner-ship of the views that are prevelant among them. the London 7/7 bombings defy any claim that there are non Western Islamic elements involved. these are home grown
yet at the same time he is critical of the policies of the administration, the witch hunts (read the Time article!) of the government institutions, GWB failure to criticize the ilks of Falwell, Robertson when they criticize Islam/Muhammad, not to forget the Crusadic Comments from the higher echelons of Pentagon leadership as portraying this as a Jesus vs Muhammad battle. not even a slap on the wrist.
enjoy the work - i purposely left the names out, to offer some anticipation
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2: Good book about moderate Muslims
This book gives profiles of various moderate Muslim figures in the US. This book is long overdue. Being a Muslim myself, I was eager to see moderate Muslims being given as in-depth a look as al-Qaeda has received. Barrett did not disappoint.
This book is extremely well written and accessible. Barrett takes pains to present all the good and bad about each figure. These portraits are not always positive, but they are true. It is much more compelling to see a three dimensional picture than just one side of the argument. This book ends up being a balanced view. It is not sycophantic like the books by most Muslims, nor as unduly harsh as most of the books written by non-Muslims. A great job.
I think books like this one will go a long way towards repairing the image of Islam in America.
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3: American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion
American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion by Paul Barrett is a compilation of true accounts of practicing Muslims in American society relating their distinct relationship to their identity as Muslim Americans, the struggle to define it and keep it alive. Barrett's theme within his book is most evident in the introduction when he poses the question: "What, for Muslims is a normal American life?" When reading each vignette, consider this question as a constant point of reference, for each person of the vignette comes to tension with it.
With about 6 million people in the United States, Muslim culture, for Barrett, is a web of creeds and cultures from "immigrant to native, devout and secular, moderate and radical, integrated and isolated" (5). The 7 different vignettes of the story tell of the individuals from those different cultures reconciling and balancing their views of Islam with their American lives. The varying foci of the vignettes in the book demonstrate the intricacies of this web within Islam, though being ones who contend for their faith and stand up against injustices where they are revealed.
The book was interesting for some stories, while others were particularly hard to generate sincere interest. Nonetheless, American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion, seperates itself from general history or cultural books about Islam, since it follows specific stories of American Muslims and how they are affected by the changing world around them. Reccomended for those who perfer to learn from others' experiences.
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4: Religion 266
American Islam by Paul M. Barrett is a novel that informs people on the ways of life of seven different Muslims living in America. Barrett interviews these Muslims to educate readers about the understanding of Islamic living in America, what Muslims have to go through post 9/11, and how to become good Americans without neglecting where they come from. Barrett interviews a publisher, a scholar, an Imam, a feminist, Mystics, a webmaster, and an activist. Each tells their views on Islam, the American government and politics.
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5: IWS266
American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion, by Paul M. Barrett, is an attempt to address how Muslim American live Islam. He interviews Muslims across America and chooses seven for this book. He writes about the lives of these seven "representative" people. "Representative" in that they demonstrate what he thinks are the most compelling issues in Muslim American communities. He interviews a publisher, scholar, imam, feminist, mystics, webmaster, and activists to get answers. Barrett says, "what one sees today in American mosques and Muslim homes, in Islamic centers and on university campuses is nothing less than a struggle for the soul of a religion" (P.13). He shows how each individual represents the faith of Islam.
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