Why I Am a Muslim: An American Odyssey

Rating:
Summary: A well-intentioned embarrassment
Review: Although obviously well-intentioned, this book is an embarrassment. An airhead like this should not speak for Muslims. I wasn't sure if she was writing for an educated audience or for my son's first grade class. I'm not convinced she was herself clear on the distinction.

Many of her references to Islam and Islamic law are simply erroneous. I am not sure why she takes her own tradition so casually and with such careless disregard for the seriousness of knowledge. As a Muslim, she should know that she is ultimately accountable for any knowledge that she passes on. I would hope that with that weighty responsibility, she would have been more diligent and rigorous in her treatment of the facts of Islam. Better not to speak at all than to speak in ignorance.

I appreciate that it is very important for Muslim women's views to be heard, and certainly do not want to discount Asma's efforts. But with all of the ugliness out there, I would hope that we could find some more credible and intelligent voices to counteract the negative in a more compelling way.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshingly excellent!
Review: Amidst the slew of books published recently by self-proclaimed experts on Islam, Why I Am a Muslim: An American Odyssey offers a refreshing look at what it really means to be a Muslim living in the United States today. Following the critically acclaimed success of her first book American Muslims: The New Generation, author Asma Gull Hasan gives readers insight on growing up as a young Muslim woman in America, or as she calls herself, as a "Muslim feminist cowgirl."

At a time when Muslims and the Islamic world are being placed under the microscope Hasna appeals to both young Muslims who can relate to her experiences as well as the mainstream readers who are curious about Islam. She not only explains the religion's basics but makes you proud to be a Muslim through her own fervor and passion. Dispelling myths often believed about Islam, such as all Muslims are Arabs and vice versa, that it is oppressive to women, and that it is an inherently violent religion Hasan shows Islam in its true essence, idealistically similar to many of the American values we have grown up with here. She cites Muhammad as being the first Arab leader to liberate women and elevate their status in society as equal to men. She also demonstrates how ethnically diverse the Islamic world and how culture often gets misconstrued as religion. Her one example is of the lavish desi wedding, a completely harmless cultural tradition, yet nevertheless, completely un-Islamic.

Interestingly enough, Hasan includes a whole chapter on Sufism, an easily misunderstood practice in Islam. She describes the ancient tradition and the idealistic teachings of Rumi and other notable Sufis. Her ability to show the simplicity of this mystical tradition in daily life allows the audience to see the spirituality around them, even in something as simple as a bouquet of flowers.

While the book has faced some criticism from some sectors of the Muslim community who fear the "Americanization" of Islam, Hasan argues that America and Islam are not in opposition of each other, and in fact, are quite similar in the shared emphasis on equality, diversity, education, hard work and democracy. She claims that this belief in the shared ideals has let her be a better Muslim by being American and a better American by being Muslim.

A definite must read, Why I Am a Muslim offers the American public a glimpse at a more accurate portrayal of who a Muslim is and what Islam is about. Most importantly, however, it also gives young American Muslims struggling to find their own identity a chance to embrace themselves and a voice with which to be heard.


Rating:
Summary: A VERY HAPPY MUSLIM
Review: As an American born Afghan Muslim, all I have to say is that Asma Gull Hasan has described the religion that is truly practiced by many Americans and people. Why I am a Muslim is a powerful "reality check/correction" of what Islam really stands for - not to mention Asma's experiences growing up. This book is a wonderful reference to the wonderful religion. I encourage Muslims and Non-Muslims to read Asma's compelling book. I am proud that a Muslim has stood up and is defending her religion. If more people were like her, this world would be one of education, equality, happiness, and so much more. So if you want to make an investment that will change your life/perception, buy Asma's book[s].

Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Book!
Review: Asma Hasan has done it again! Hasan's exceptional new book, WHY I AM A MUSLIM, is the sequel to her first book, AMERICAN MUSLIMS, a well-received volume published by Continuum in 2000 when she was only 26.

As in AMERICAN MUSLIMS, Hasan weaves together engaging, compelling, and interesting anecdotes from her experiences as an American Muslim with material that relates to the lives of Muslims in the United States and other countries. Hers is a distinctly American story, written in an easily comprehensible style with verve and flair.

Hasan is one of the foremost Muslim literary voices in the Western world. An author, attorney, and commentator, she regularly appears on radio and television programs (e.g., National Public Radio and the Fox News Channel) in the United States and elsewhere. In addition, Hasan is a former DENVER POST columnist and one of the youngest people ever to have an opinion piece published in THE NEW YORK TIMES. She also was the subject of a lengthy and admiring profile in USA TODAY in 2002; this article recognized the importance of her efforts to promote intercultural understanding in the United States and around the globe.

I highly recommend WHY I AM A MUSLIM to readers interested in Islam, Americana, and related topics. This wonderful volume informs, entertains, and challenges readers with its blend of gripping anecdotes, big-picture musings, and penetrating insights. Hasan is an inimitable writer, one whose love for America and Islam comes through on every page of this excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Book!
Review: Asma Hasan has done it again! Hasan's exceptional new book, WHY I AM A MUSLIM, is the sequel to her first book, AMERICAN MUSLIMS, a well-received volume that Continuum published in 2000 when she was only 26.

As in AMERICAN MUSLIMS, Hasan weaves together engaging, compelling, and interesting anecdotes from her life as an American Muslim with material that relates to the lives of Muslims in the United States and other countries. Hers is a distinctly American story, written in an easily comprehensible style with verve and flair.

Hasan is one of the foremost Muslim literary voices in the Western world. An author, attorney, and commentator, she regularly appears on radio and television programs (e.g., National Public Radio and the Fox News Channel) in the United States and elsewhere. In addition, Hasan is a former DENVER POST columnist and one of the youngest people ever to have an opinion piece published in THE NEW YORK TIMES. She also was the subject of a lengthy and admiring profile in USA TODAY in 2002; this article recognized the importance of her efforts to promote intercultural understanding in the United States and around the globe.

I highly recommend WHY I AM A MUSLIM to readers interested in Islam, Americana, and related topics. This wonderful volume informs, entertains, and challenges readers with its blend of gripping anecdotes, big-picture musings, and penetrating insights. Hasan is an inimitable writer, one whose love for America and Islam comes through on every page of this excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you for the great book about Islam
Review: Dear Asma,

Thank you for writing a great book about Islam. I just completed reading it yesterday and I just thought I should post my review to congraluate and support you on writing such a great book. I feel I can relate to your thoughts about Islam. I am also a muslim. Reading your book makes me feel that I am not alone as a muslim woman and that I have similar views that you mentioned in the book in regards to the Sept 11th attacks. I also agree with you in regards to wearing a hajib, I also dont wear it, but I belive that doesnt make me a bad muslim, I do most of what is required from me by islam as a woman, I am not perfect but I try my best, which you mentioned in the book that god doesnt expects us to be perfect that we can make mistakes. Another good point you mentioned in the book was regarding a passage in the quran mentioning that we should hate jews and christains. I also used to get confused about this passge but you clearly explained well what it really means and that made me feel good about it.

Your book is very simple and clear that I dont think only non-muslims should read it but also all muslims should read it. Its always good to refresh our memory and understanding of Islam and to always seek more knowledge about our religion. Everyday we learn something new, and I belive I learned a lot from your book.

Overally, I really enjoyed your book and it made me more proud to be a muslim. Thank you and take care.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I can't believe that Miss Allegra read the same book that I did. The book that I read was a wonderful introduction to Islam, well researched, well written, and well thought out. I am recommending it to all my non-Muslim friends so that they can better understand the positives of Islam. Perhaps Miss Allegra does not like reading positive portrayals of Islam. From my understanding Muslim scholars reviewed the book for inaccuracies and gave it their seal of approval; so to assert that there is anything historically incorrect is ludacris.

If you really want to learn more about Islam, this should be the first book you read.

Rating:
Summary: Blessed relief, and funny too.
Review: I first came upon Asma's work when she was speaking about her book,"American Muslims", at a university here in Denver. I monitor a great deal of right-wing talk radio, and Asma's presentation (spoken and written) has been so useful in countering all the stereotyping and fear-mongering going on. Asma certainly isn't doing the sort of work that US military propagandists, like Michael Savage, want to see. Savage and many others (like Robert Spence, the author of "Onward Muslim Soldier") are spending a great deal of time on America's airwaves talking about how evil Islam is. The result has been Abu Ghraib, 17,000 dead civilians, a country littered with depleted uranium and cluster bombs, and so forth.
If I had the funds, I'd ship boxes of Asma's books to soldiers in Iraq. I imagine some military personnel would think twice about dropping another 1000 lb. bomb on Fallujah, or busting down the door of some family's house. Maybe some soldiers would even go AWOL!
And Asma is the sort of cultural ambassador that provides some space for hope in an era of detentions and deportations.
She's very funny, too.
I'm sending emails to Air America Radio to have her on as a guest. They'd be nicer to her than the hosts at Fox News, and the critics on this forum.
Keep up the great work and peace be with you Asma.


Rating:
Summary: 88 Reviews for a 200 page book?
Review: I have a few interesting observations:
1. Most of the 5-star ratings were given on the same day, e.g. June 29, 2004 and June 17, 2004.
2. Two 5-star ratings were titled; Best book to read on a vacation and Best book to read on a flight. They appeared on the same day; June 29 ;)
3. All 5 star ratings were full of praises, with no real critique or objective analysis. It is apparent that the authors of these 5-star rating did not bother to read the book
I have a suggestion to the author and her friends: GROW UP !!
If you guys really wanted to fudge the rating, you should have been a little subtle.

Rating:
Summary: I Love This Book
Review: I love it when Asma Hasan talks and writes about Islam! Consider me to be one of her loyalists!

I've seen Asma's appearances on Politically Incorrect, Fox News, and Dennis Miller, as well as seen some of her news articles ---- this woman continually impresses me by her pride within Islam and America (two things that seem unpopular to be proud about lately) as well as her optimistic way of presenting her views.

Asma makes it very easy to agree with her, mainly because she never accuses, back bites, or betrays ---- she presents her thoughts, in an optimistic way, without having to victimize herself as a woman, Muslim, or American ---- three things that she sees as positives, not negatives!

With regards to the book ---- Asma takes us into a journey that visits historical Islam, present day Islam, Islamic politics, etc ---- this book had the challenge of presenting every single faucet of Islam, and Asma accomplished! I highly recommend reading this book, mainly because it is so rich with what Islam is about.

Thank you Asma! Keep up the good work!