Living Islam Out Loud: American Muslim Women Speak

by Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur

Book Overview

Living Islam Out Loud presents the first generation of American Muslim women who have always identified as both American and Muslim. These pioneers have forged new identities for themselves and for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807083836
• ISBN13: 9780807083833
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Great addition to any Islamic library

I am not Muslim but I enjoy learning about religions different from my own. I thought I already knew a lot about Islam but this book taught me some new things. It is a book written by various influential muslim women telling their stories. The stories are separated into sections based on what they are discussing. I especially liked the essays on love, marriage and sexuality. I learned reasons why some Muslim women wear hijab and some don't. There are many reasons actually, all of which make sense to me. I don't know which choice I would make if I were Muslim. I learned that Islam does NOT allow their men to beat their wives as many mistakenly believe. I learned that Muslim women can get a divorce. I learned how hard it is to be Muslim and Homosexual. I learned the difference between American Muslims and Muslims in their home countries. I learned alot that I didn't know and this book made me want to interview Muslim women here in Canada to hear about their lives.

A guide which gathers their diverse voices under one cover in order to present their views

Drawn from the first generation of American Muslim women who have identified as being both American and Muslim comes a guide which gathers their diverse voices under one cover in order to present their views of how they live Islam within in a predominately Christian country. Reflections on God, religion, secularism and friendships both within and outside the faith provide unique first-person reflections on how Islam is lived in daily life. Living Islam Out Loud is simply a 'must' for anyone who would understand how these Muslim women practice their traditional faith within the social and cultural context of the every changing, secular, modern, non-Islamic world of America.

A timely, powerful voice...

I thoroughly enjoyed Living Islam Outloud: American Muslim Women Speak. As a non-Muslim, I appreciated the perspectives of the contributors to the book. Too often Americans view Muslims in a negative, one-dimensional manner and categorize Islam as a "foreign" faith. It was gratifying to hear the stories of these women. Their perspectives help to debunk myths about Islam and show the multi-dimensional aspects of their lives. Their testimonies prove that Muslims are part of the fabric of American society.

Excellent - voices are long overdue to be heard

This is a groundbreaking compilation of stories by American women. These beautifully written essays break down stereotypes. I particularly enjoyed Y. Fazili's chapter about falling in love.

New Voices in the Muslim World

?Living Islam Out Loud is an extraordinary collection of coming of age stories of American Muslim Women. The stories are intense, inspiring and powerful. This book provides an intimate and honest look how out-dated cultural and religious values have an enormous impact on the self image and life choices of young women. The women in this book illustrate the courage it takes to stand out on their own and find a personal relationship with God outside of the limitations of oppression and sexism. This book is an ideal representation of many American born Muslim Women and the obstacles we must overcome to find our place in Islam. Living Islam Out Loud is a remarkable vehicle for individual and international change in the Islamic world.