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Rating: 
Summary: American Muslims
Review: Asma's American Muslims is an easy to read and interesting book that deals with the experiences of a Muslim girl in the Midwest. A fun book for both Muslims and non Muslims. Many Muslims in the U.S. would be able to relate to various stories in the book from how it is to order nonpork items from restaurants to dealing with people's misconceptions about Islam due to current world events, etc. I know that I did! However, I think she should have researched some of her Islam information better. I came across some topics that she said that are discussed in the Quran but are really part of the hadith, sayings of prophet Muhammad(pbuh)like the incident where Muslim's daily prayers were reduced from 50 to 5, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: a voice of reason
Review: I was in the bookstore one day and I was searching for a book on Islam. Thankfully, I came across Asma Gull Hasan's American Muslims. After reading it I thought, finally, a personal account from a strong, educated Muslim woman! So many stereotypes fill our culture with misconceptions about Muslims in general. Miss Hasan is brave for speaking out and destroying the myth that all Muslim women are oppressed and submissive. This is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the lives everyday American Muslims. She mixes humor, wit and intelligence to tell two stories-her own personal story as the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and the story of Islam in America. She proves that American values (tolerance, freedom and basic human rights) are perfectly compatible with Islamic values and in fact pre-date them by at least 1400 years! (Example: the Koran gave women many rights that American women didn't receive until the early 20th century.) She defines the differences between true Islam and the oppressive, PRE-Islamic practices in some Muslims countries. Islam is not the problem. Culture is the culprit. This book is crucial in these times of misunderstanding and cultural gaps and it is young women like Hasan who are willing to build bridges and show people the true goal of Islam-unity and compassion for all mankind.
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Summary: AmericanMuslims:The New Generation, The breath of fresh air!
Review: Thank you, Asma Gull Hasan, for writing such a courageous book about the American Muslims. This book is neither a religious one nor a scholarly, academic one. This book is about the author (An American Muslim), her family, other American Muslims, and their interactions with other Americans in day-to-day life and growing up in America.
I am glad this book was published at a time when Islam is seen in America the one represented by Osma Bin Laden and his disciples. (Who do not represent Islam by any means; FYI: there are 1.2 Billion Muslims in the world and about 20% are Arabs). Islam doesn't oppress Muslim woman but very often is misinterpreted by so-called scholars or it may be influenced by local culture, which may not be the true teachings of Islam. The author also noted that Islam was the first religion to grant rights to women. I believe that the author is a moderate Muslim. What she did is to tell America that we, the American Muslims, are no different than any other decent Christian, Jewish, Buddhist or any other religious person living here. Sure we have few bad apples like every one else, but we aren't all bad. She may have offended few majesties for being BOLD and for a few moderately liberal views. But aren't we blessed to be living in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Indeed, we are proud to be the American Muslims.
I will give a FIVE STAR recommendation for this book, especially for Anyone who has any beef, anger or any stereotype against Muslims in general or Islam as a religion. The author has covered basic Islamic beliefs and practices very beautifully. Last but not least, it is well written in EASY TO UNDERSTAND format, which distinguishes it positively from many other books in the field of Islam.
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