Being Muslim (Groundwork Guides Series)

by Haroon Siddiqui, Jane Springer (Editor)

Overview

Being Muslim is written for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It presents a readable explanation of the most complex and emotion-laden issues of our troubled times. The varying branches of Islam are analyzed and their history outlined — but the focus is on the present.

In speaking about and crossing political, cultural and religious divisions, this book offers a unique perspective, forged in Canada, a country where people from everywhere on earth have found a way to live in peace. Terrorism. Wars. Jihad. Hijab. Polygamy. Muhammad's many wives. Muslim prayer. Female circumcision. Honor killings. Sharia. Stoning. Status of Muslim women. All these topics and more are tackled in this fascinating and informative book for young adult readers.

"[The Groundwork Guides] are excellent books, mandatory for school libraries and the increasing body of young people prepared to take ownership of the situations and problems previous generations have left them." — Globe and Mail

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2

Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3

Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6

Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554980017
Publisher:	Groundwood Books Ltd
Publication date:	07/01/2006
Series:	Groundwork Guides Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
Lexile:	1220L (what's this?)
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Haroon Siddiqui is one of Canada's most highly regarded editors and past president of PEN Canada. He lives in Toronto.

JANE SPRINGER is an author, editor and translator who has worked in developing countries in Africa and Asia. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Table of Contents

The Politics     9
Under Siege     9
Islamophobia     20
The Muslim Malaise     26
European Muslims     38
A Den of Discrimination     38
Rushdie to van Gogh to Cartoons     46
The Hijab Debate     52
The Faith     56
A Living Faith     56
Declaration of Faith     57
Daily Prayers     58
Charity     65
Fasting     67
Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina     70
Halal and Haram     79
The Qur'an     83
The Prophet     87
Women     96
Image and Reality     96
The Qur'an and Women     100
Half Inheritance     102
Half Testimony     103
Domestic Violence     104
Honor Killings     106
Genital Mutilation     107
Adultery and Stoning     107
Polygamy     108
Divorce and Child Custody     110
Marrying Non-Muslims     112
The Qur'an and the Hijab     113
Muhammad and Women     115
Sharia and Women     117
Islamic Feminism     120
Jihad and Terrorism     126
The Qur'an and Jihad     128
Suicide Bombing     132
Jihad and Martyrdom     135
The Future     140
Notes     150
For Further Information     156
Acknowledgments     156
Index     157

Editorial Reviews

Adult/High School-This balanced, concise book is an excellent resource for social studies or debate class. Siddiqui explores the current political, religious, and secular aspects of being a member of the world's fastest-growing religion. He challenges Western assumptions about Islam and assigns blame to both the West and Islamic fundamentalists for fanning the flames of Islamophobia. Although he tackles stereotypes, the author is not a Muslim apologist-he describes the tenets of the religion in objective, non-proselytizing prose, acknowledging the need for reforms while explaining that most oppression of women results from traditional cultural practices rather than Islamic teachings. Siddiqui acknowledges the desperate living conditions many Muslims endure in the developing world, emphasizing the need to address these circumstances instead of offering them as a valid excuse for violence. He describes what post-9/11 life has been like for Muslims in the United States, in Europe, and in Muslim countries. Sidebars illustrate Islamic contributions to popular culture (e.g., Muslim stand-up comics and hip-hop artists), and the index, notes, bibliography, and illustrative charts are all useful. The author's tone is conversational and engaging, and frequent breaks in the text make this small book very readable.-Sondra VanderPloeg, Tracy Memorial Library, New London, NH Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

...reading the slim, cleanly crafted volume has the effect of jogging you back into something like lucidity....a book that should find its way into every school library in the country.

Edmonton Journal

Being Muslim is an excellent overview for students in grade 9 through 12, teachers of World Issues and cross-cultural studies courses, and for high school library collections.

CM Magazine

An accessible and timely book.

Curriculum Connections (SLJ)

...this basic knowledge will help non-Islamic readers to make sense of what they see on the news, and to sort out the truth from the propaganda.

Globe and Mail

Siddiqui...writes with clarity, wit and balance, though not without moral passion...An excellent place to start thinking about Islam and the Arab world today.

Christian Century

Being Muslim offers an intense, micro-level commentary on Islam and today's political landscape.

Saudi Aramco World

Each of the four well-written and engaging books in this valuable series provides a foundation for understanding an important subject relevant to current world stability and peace.

Library Media Connection

Extremely challenging and thought-provoking, this book would be an excellent resource for senior high school students interested in politics and debate.

Resource Links

[Siddiqui's] clear, passionate discussion confronts international issues that are in the news now...Excellent for classroom discussion.

STARRED REVIEW Booklist