Name:
Course:
Lecturer:
Date:
Critical Reflection Book Review: The Muslim Next Door
This book is by an author called Ali-Karamali. It is about the culture of the Islam community, the religion, and short background information of Prophet Muhammad’s life as a Muslim believer. The book has been written in an organized way, very captivating and fascinating. It has simple English hence easy to comprehend. However, so much debate about this book has been done. This is because the author has mentioned some aspects that are true, but there are prejudiced people and they see as if the writer had a mean intention. This is not the case, the author was just expressing herself. Being well educated and brought up well, she expresses herself by using this subject that is always controversial to people. This book is very relevant for the people who have unanswered questions about Islam and are eager to be answered. It tells why the Muslims believe in their cause and what their religion brings to the world.
The author tackles the difficult questions by provision of stories based from her own life experiences and how she was brought up. Every chapter discusses a given point of Islam. For example, in chapter one the topic of discussion is “Everyday Islam” (Ali-Karamali,2008 p. 2). Chapter eleven’s discussion is “Why the Misconceptions Persist” (Ali-Karamali, 2008 p.282). Although the book is based on personal experiences, it is direct and possible to understand. Ali-Karamali included research to the personal experiences she has used. One can confirm this by checking the Chronology, Notes and Suggested Reading List at the last pages of the book. The book is very resourceful because it will enlighten one with a wide range of knowledge about its topic. One could read for pleasure because it is very interesting and will help relaxation.
One major concern of the people who have taken time to review this book say that Sumbul’s book is convincing the readers otherwise. That is, the people interested to read and take interest to its teachings, are seen to change their views about Muslims and the religion. The people expect good things to come from these people. The preferred readers should be those who are unsure about what they hear and read. For example, there is a great misunderstanding about Muslims especially Arabs. They are said to believe so much in terrorism. There are twelve “Questions for Discussion” that have been written at the back. These questions are diverse and seem to provoke. They can help to provide some information to the Jews and Christians who are eager and willing to learn about Islam. The author is happy and satisfied that she is of American nationality. Sumbul is humbled by the ancestors who were filled with much patience and tolerance in religion diversity. She could be conveying the same message.
People of different religions need to tolerate each other and be patient. Al people have a right to their religion there no one should condemn the other’s religion. She has hopes that the talks going on in the country will result to people understanding each other. The work that she researches is presented in a way, which it shows both political and social views. Her work includes a memoir that says she was raised in a culture of Christian-Judaic aspects. The writer points out that she struggles with her beliefs in issues of socializing choosing dates, dances, which holidays to recognize, and how to cope with friendship from non-Muslim. Madam Ali Karamali is transparent and forthright about how she has presented her stories in a criterion that does not suggest any academic work. The content of the book are not specially meant for the student or teachers alone but for every person who quests for knowledge.
For the book to be written by one who has not struggled to be a Muslim or had financial constraints and other social difficulties, she may not understand exactly about difficulties in religion and also social. Nevertheless, she has done her level best to discuss such a controversial issue and be resourceful to anyone interested. She openly discusses about the topic and tells it all about the wrong perceptions and a lot of information about Islam community and religion. The readers have strong basics incase they want to comment. Anyone who uses this book’s knowledge will base his or hr opinions from the truth and not media influence. There views will be based on the truth and not from political or social influence. There is an important point that author clarifies. She clearly says that United States did not invade some of the Arabian countries to kill Muslims. The mission was to eradicate terrorism.
This was a revelation for many people who had misunderstood. Muslims sometime misconceive the concept in World War 2. The same way the Jews suffered because of their belief in their cause, is the way Muslims suffer today. This is not right at all because it is misunderstanding, which is shown to the world. There is need to educate ourselves understand and rejoice about how attractive the world is. For example, instead of being prejudiced about our religion, people could appreciate the fact that there is a common origin among the three religions. That is, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Sumbul is a volunteer who readily provides knowledge for any person interested to expound and add knowledge about Islamic community.
This book also shows the potential in women. The writer being a Muslim woman has been able to write and influence people to accept the findings of her research on the topic. In the earlier days, women had no voice and their opinions did not matter, especially the Muslim women. A notable strength of this book is that it has successfully attracted a big audience and people actually agree with the comments and findings of it. Apart from educating, it is entertaining and relaxes an individual. The writer has successfully incorporated all properties that should be included in literature work. Congratulations are in order for the writer.
Works cited
Ali-Karamali, Sambul. The Muslim Next Door: The Quaran, the media and the veil thing. Ashland, OR: White Cloud Press publishers. 2008. Print.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|