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Title: The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook
ISBN: 0979253128
Author:
Dilara Hafiz
Imran Hafiz
Yasmine Hafiz
Publicate Date: 2007-08-13
Publish: 2007-08-13
List Price: $11.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.56
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $5.90
Amazon Merchant Price: $9.56
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| Customer Review: |
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1: A MUST for Readers of All Ages
I highly recommend this Handbook for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Not only does it address historical, religious, and cultural issues, but it does so in readily accessible prose and format. The authors shared insight into important tenets of their faith in a personal, conversational, witty style certain to appeal to younger readers--while not alienating those long out of their teens.
The text would constitute an outstanding addition to school and local libraries throughout the U.S. and beyond!
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2: A Mixed Bag
This book takes a lively look at some of the questions that Muslim teens in America need answers to. The style of writing and the layout is engaging and accommodates readers afflicted or blessed with short attention span.
While the book is sprinkled with frequent quotations from the Quran, clearly it is not meant to be an in-depth treatise on Islam, either in the personal sphere or as an adequate source of history and facts with which the reader can maintain serious discussion with non-Muslims, or even with other Muslims. To its credit, the book encourages its young readers to learn more about their religion, but it doesn't guide them or warn them of things that they will discover.
Considering the large number of subjects covered, it is inevitable that this slender book leaves the reader short here and there. On the question for example of whether Muslim girls should wear hijab, one who does, says, "My religion tells me to - I have to wear one if I'm a Muslim.", and one who doesn't, says, "I don't feel that my religion requires it." While earlier in the book it is stated that most of the Quran is clear in meaning, and at the beginning of this section appears a quote (33:59) that suggests that women should "draw their wraps a little over them", the question is by no means cleared up. The naive Muslim girl is not prepared to defend herself in conversation with other Muslims, such as her parents, who may claim to know the correct answer, and can force the issue.
On larger issues - political aspects of Islam - page 90 shows a street rally poster reading "ISLAM MEANS PEACE". If a Muslim teen reader goes no further, he will not be prepared to hold his own in a discussion where someone informs him that "Islam" means "submission". And that someone could be a Muslim - say, a Jihadic recruiter - as well as non-Muslim. When confronted by the kinds of posters that sometimes appear in pro-Muslim rallies, such as "BEHEAD THOSE WHO MOCK ISLAM" or "ISLAM WILL DOMINATE", the teen will be helpless - not only uninformed, but misinformed, and he may realize that this book has let him down.
In summary, this book is about preparing Muslim teens to be able to make their way in America, to assimilate, and yet to retain their Islamic identity. It accomplishes parts of the task nicely, but sometimes it falls short of protecting its young readers and warning them of the dangers and complexities that they will face, from other Muslims in America as well as non-Muslims. Put aside all of the personal questions about dating - hamburgers (hold the bacon!), clothing, making friends, etc.; the essence of being an American involves the freedom to educate oneself, to question everything - including and especially authority - to speak, write, criticize freely and in safety, to pursue happiness and to choose representatives to express ones' political inclinations.
I rate this book 3 stars to balance its high intentions and accomplishments with its limitations and consequent dangers.
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3: American Anyone Handbook!
This extremely accessible book is an easy introduction to Islam for those
who do not follow or are unfamiliar with the basic tenets of the religion. It also provides a much-needed divergent viewpoint about American Muslims from that provided by the mainstream media, often in attempts to heighten public anxiety and, unfortunately, leading to increased xenophobia.
American Muslims are, first and foremost, Americans. No one should differentiate between American Buddhists, American Catholics, American Jews, etc. Unfortunately, our society has tended to ostracize the general Islamic population in this country, primarily due to ignorance. This fine addition to any library's or bookstore's religion section fills a once-empty niche, allowing students of all ages to learn about the world's fastest-growing religion, also amongst the most peaceful, which many do not realize due to fundamentalist elements worldwide that stress their own skewed versions of what true Islam espouses.
The authors are dynamic speakers, well-versed in their faith, beliefs, and research concerning viewpoints from Muslim teens nationwide. If the
opportunity ever arises for them to speak to your organization, as it did
for the one at my school, you will be the recipient of three extremely
intelligent, open-minded and well-informed speakers.
I recommend this book to anyone, anywhere, of any religion, who wishes to understand more about the basics of Islam, the continued importance of fighting ethnocentricity within our society, and the challenges which American Muslim teens, as well as non-Muslim teens, face on a daily basis in a continuously changing political and global atmosphere.
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4: Must Read
I highly recommend "The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook," a book written to give voice to the issues and concerns of Muslim American teens and to let them know they are not alone. It educates and stimulates all of us to learn more. It offers insight to the importance of charity in Islam, why Muslims perform the Hajj, how Muslims pray, answers questions about dating, dancing, drinking, drugs and dress, teaches us about the basics of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad and even offers Ramadan recipes. It is a book that presents to those of us unfamiliar with Islam a straight forward look and what it means to be a Muslim teen in America. Whether we are teenagers, parents, children or adults familiar or totally unfamiliar with Islam this book tells us about an enchanting, interesting world in an often hilarious and easily assessable writing style. In these days where there is so much misunderstanding about those we do not know and have been taught to fear this delightful, informative guide is a must read for all of us. It is time embrace our children, to listen to their questions, and to heal our world. I believe that it is books like "The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook" that offer us this opportunity and we can not afford to close our hearts or minds to the message it provides.
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5: Warm, witty, and accessible
This book works within the reality that there is often a gap between the ideal of religious practice, and what people actually live up to. By dropping judgment and encouraging thinking about faith and building a relationship with the Creator while striving to do the best one can, this book holds out an open and helping hand for young people struggling to find their place in the world.
Succinct and informative, encouraging and funny, this is a must for anyone-- Muslim or not-- who wants to learn more about the reality of modern Islam.
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