The Muslims of America (Religion in America) [Paperback]

Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Religion in America | Publication Date: August 12, 1993

This collection brings together sixteen previously unpublished essays about the history, organization, challenges, responses, outstanding thinkers, and future prospects of the Muslim community in the United States and Canada. Both Muslims and non-Muslims are represented among the contributors, who include such leading Islamic scholars as John Esposito, Frederick Denny, Jane Smith, and John Voll. Focusing on the manner in which American Muslims adapt their institutions as they become increasingly an indigenous part of America, the essays discuss American Muslim self-images, perceptions of Muslims by non-Muslim Americans, leading American Muslim intellectuals, political activity of Muslims in America, Muslims in American prisons, Islamic education, the status of Muslim women in America, and the impact of American foreign policy on Muslims in the United States.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The value of the book is not only that it provides useful information for both the specialist and the general public, but that it raises issues which require much further discussion."--Journal of American Ethnic History

"A highly stimulating work of scholarship and should be read by Muslims and Christians."--The Message International

"The intrinsic value of the chapters and their noteworthy bibliographies make this an essential acquisition for anyone interested in American Muslims."--Interpretation

"Valuable and informative essays....The strength of the collection lies in its interweaving of the concerns and problems of immigrant and African American Muslim communities."--Choice

"The Muslims of America, covering the history, organizations, religious activism, and intellectual contributions of the fastest growing religious community in the U.S., is already the standard source on North American Islam. Essential reading for scholars of modern Islam and American religions alike, this volume demonstrates that Islam can no longer be overlooked in the North American religious landscape."--Tamara Sonn, St. John Fisher College

About the Author

Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad is at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 12, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195085590
• ISBN-13: 978-0195085594
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #606,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A VARIETY OF PAPERS ABOUT MUSLIMS IN THE U.S., November 24, 2010

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Muslims of America (Religion in America) (Paperback)

Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad (born in Syria) is Professor of the History of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. She was formerly Professor of Islamic History at the University of Massachusetts. She has written many other books, such as Contemporary Islam and the Challenge of History, Not Quite American?: The Shaping of Arab and Muslim Identity in the United States (Charles Edmondson Historical Lectures), Islamic Law and the Challenges of Modernity, Christian-Muslim Encounters and Muslim Minorities in the West: Visible and Invisible.

She writes in the "Acknowledgements" section of this 1991 book, "This book brings together studies on the religion of Islam as it is experienced in a variety of contexts in North America, in recognition of its expanding minority status in the United States and Canada. The papers in this volume were first presented at a conference devoted to the 'Muslims of America,' held in April 1989 on the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts..."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"Islam is believed to be the fastest growing religion in the United States today, yet it is unclear how many Muslims currently reside in America... To date, no systematic, statistically valid survey of Muslims in America has been conducted. This largely because of a lack of reliable information about Muslims in this country." (Pg. 25)
"Paul Findley's book They Dare to Speak Out has proven to be a timely incentive for Muslims to consider the possibility of forming political action committees. Findley confirmed Arab and Muslim fears about the pervasive influence of the more than seventy-five pro-Israel PACs. Several Muslim PACs were developed since 1985." (Pg. 116)
"The fall of the Shah's regime has been a very important factor in heightening Islamic identity in the United States. The Shah was perceived as the enemy of the Arab people because of his role in providing Israel with oil... His removal from power fueled the belief that an organized Islam would provide the energy to mobilize the masses to remove corrupt rulers as well as Arab regimes perceived as lackeys of the United States and impotent before Israel. This renewed hope in the power of Islam has been extremely significant in the thinking of many Muslims as they seek to define their role in the context of American society." (Pg. 227)