How do young single American Muslims balance their faith with western culture? This topic and more is tackled by author Zarinah El-Amin Naeem in Jihad of the Soul (208pp. $19.95), a gut wrenching look at how young Muslim singles navigate love and faith. Let s face it, no matter how many T.V. episodes of The Bachelor or Sex and the City air, singlehood for the average person is a difficult life period. Most singles want to be in a loving, romantic, long-term relationship. They want to be married. Unfortunately, in the American Muslim community, there are Muslim single men available, and Muslim single women available, but there is a huge disconnect and a serious lack of marriage! Why? El-Amin Naeem says, Well, my research shows there are a number of factors including the practice of strict gender separation and marital endogamy that affect and delay the transition from singlehood to marriage for many American Muslims. The Muslim community has serious issues it needs to face, but unfortunately seems to be in denial! The book is an anthropological exploration into the attitudes, experiences and emotions of single Muslim young adults between the ages of 18-40.
Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, M.A. uses public anthropology to reveal and address contemporary issues facing Muslims in America. She is an active member of the American Muslim community and the founder and chief spiritual officer of NIYAH, a "feel good" company working to enliven and uplift the souls of humanity through one-of-a-kind events and goods.
In addition to speaking and writing, Zarinah is a community organizer for the RACE Exhibit at Western Michigan University where she works to build and celebrate diversity throughout Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Personally, Zarinah is an avid international traveler and works on girl's education in Sierra Leone. She is married to Halim Naeem, a doctoral candidate in psychology and the president of Seven Shades (www.sevenshades.org).
To learn more about Zarinah, visit www.niyah.net or email her at zarinah@niyah.net.
