Taking Back Islam : American Muslims Reclaim Their Faith

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating collection of voices from Muslim America
Review: "Taking Back Islam: American Muslims Reclaim Their Faith" is an anthology edited by Michael Wolfe and the producers of the Internet site "beliefnet." Altogether there are more than 40 short essays contained in this 240-plus-xiv page book. The introduction by Wolfe notes that the contributors are "progressive, mostly American, Muslims."

The essays are thematically grouped into a number of larger sections: "Violence," "Democracy," "Women and Islam," "The African-American Experience," and more. As a whole this is an absolutely fascinating and illuminating collection of voices. Among the many topics covered are Quranic interpretation, Muslim humor, the roles played by mosques in America, fasting, Sufism, the impact of the 9/11 attacks, and sectarianism within Islam. It's not a sanitized book--the essays cover some difficult and controversial material.

There are some real standout pieces in this anthology. Mas'ood Cajee's "'Mom Raised Me as a Zionist'" is a funny and touching account of growing up in both South Africa and the U.S. and of his encounters with the Jewish community. Arsalan Tariq Iftikhar's "I Believe in Allah and America" is a genuinely stirring piece in which the author declares, "I am a Muslim and I am an American. I am proud of both and will compromise neither."

This is a thought provoking and valuable book which I especially recommend to Americans regardless of their religious beliefs. It's a book suitable for both classroom use and individual reading.

Rating:
Summary: The best book from American Muslims
Review: All of the essays in the book inspire one to read and learn more - they encourage the reader to follow the turns of his/her mind, like water in a curving stream bed, rather than to hammer home a point or two. With elegant use of facts and figures, the reader finds him/herself dipping into the possibility that there is hope for the future - despite the current terrorism.

In short, these essays bring to us, out of one of history's darkest moments, an extended love song to the world we still have. Sometimes grave, occasionally reflective, and ultimately informative, Taking Back Islam is a hopeful examination of the people Muslims are and what they might yet make of themselves.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive!
Review: Nobody has thought that Islam will rise again from West, especially Muslims in Muslim countries. But it is becoming true day by day, year by year. United States with it's freedom of speech and democracy, is a perfect place for Muslims to live their life according to Shariah (Islamic Law). Moreover US is clean from superstitious beliefs (fortune telling, foretelling, soothsaying...etc), in contrast these things still exist in most of the Muslim countries. This advantage for American Muslims gives them a chance to practice their religion purely, as it is stated in Quran (Holy book) and Hadith (Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) traditions).

These people in the book are successful American Muslim professionals working in all fields of science and contributing to America's economy - are the true believers of Islam. They are the example to others, and presently they are contributing a lot to Islam, after 9/11 Islam has been intentionally or unintentionally defined as the religion of terrorism. And these people as well as all the true Muslims in the world are proving them false.

Most of the American Muslims nowdays are converts, they have chosen this religion because it is the religion of Abraham, and it is the religion which was stated in Old Tastement and Bible to come after them. Fortunately many people with open heart are recognising the Word of God in His Book - Quran and following His last religion - Islam.