Muslims Next Door: Uncovering Myths and Creating Friendships [Paperback]

Shirin Taber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2004

This insider's view of how North American Muslims think and live goes beyond false stereotypes and provides practical suggestions on how to establish friendships that can point to Christ. Since September 11, 2001, Americans are more curious about the followers of Islam. We can no longer afford to be ignorant of such an influential and historical world religion. Muslims Next Door dispels commonly held myths and helps readers to better understand how Muslims think. Author Shirin Taber comes from a multicultural background and has lived in Iran, France, and Turkey, and now in the United States. Stories of her experiences as well as from interviews with Muslims help readers understand the human side of Islam. Each chapter contains questions for reflection to use in group settings. The book also includes a glossary of Islamic terms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a great primer on the Islamic faith and does a good job of dispelling common stereotypes about Muslims. A well-done resource for anyone looking for 'Islam 101,' and it could be useful in prepping a series on relational outreach. -- YouthWorker Journal

(YouthWorker Journal )

From the Back Cover

This insider’s view of how North American Muslims think and live goes beyond false stereotypes and provides practical suggestions on how to establish friendships that can point to Christ. Since September 11, 2001, Americans are more curious about the followers of Islam. We can no longer afford to be ignorant of such an influential and historical world religion. Muslims Next Door dispels commonly held myths and helps readers to better understand how Muslims think. Author Shirin Taber comes from a multicultural background and has lived in Iran, France, and Turkey, and now in the United States. Stories of her experiences as well as from interviews with Muslims help readers understand the human side of Islam. Each chapter contains questions for reflection to use in group settings. The book also includes a glossary of Islamic terms.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310255643
• ISBN-13: 978-0310255642
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #617,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > General
  • #65 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Comparative Religion

More About the Author

Shirin Taber comes from a multicultural background, with an Iranian father and American mother. Fluent in English, French, and Persian, she served for eight years as a university chaplain in Europe and the Middle East. She and her husband direct international media projects, including the Damah Film Festival, which explores spiritual experience in film. Taber has also authored two multicultural novels, AmericanEyes and Aysha, which show how ethnicity impacts spirituality and relationships.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading in understanding the 21st century landscap, September 20, 2004

By 

Lyle Castellaw - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Muslims Next Door: Uncovering Myths and Creating Friendships (Paperback)

This book will help you get a context for the complex worldwide landscape of the 21st century. Each day, our news outlets contains stories about Muslims, whether in Iraq, Afganistan, Checnyah, or in the United States. Taber's book gives a glimpse into the surprisingly divirse world of Islam, and helps the reader feel what a Muslim person tends to feel--especially those living in the U.S.

Taber tells her own story of being a young Persian woman living in the US who suffered ridicule and shame during the Iranian hostage crisis in the late 70's. But not everyone treated her cruelly. There was simply one person outside her family and religious circle that sought to love and serve her, and that made all the difference.

It is refreshing that the author is up-front about her faith and followership in Jesus Christ, while at the same time celebrating her Muslims heritage and valuing Muslims.

If you are looking for an apologetic against the Muslim faith written by a Christian, this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a book to help you practically engage the Muslims that you'll meet in the community, it is essential reading.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A vital and fresh voice in a chorus that is growing strident, September 23, 2004

By 

Richard Scott Dickey "Scott Dickey" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Muslims Next Door: Uncovering Myths and Creating Friendships (Paperback)

Shirin has found a voice from her experience that encourages us to consider more than the veneer of the Muslim that is put before us, on occasion, through the press and pulpit. This is not a book that says we would all be OK if we just held hands and sang "Kumbyah". This is a book, however, that does guide us to understand the motivations we (Muslim and non Muslim) share for honoring those things most important in our lives. Shirin provides a practical and personal insight about how to engage a neighbor I may have otherwise waved to as I passed by or, worse yet, ignored.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A person who understands the concept of "building bridges", October 4, 2004

By 

Mariam Zubin (Torrance, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Muslims Next Door: Uncovering Myths and Creating Friendships (Paperback)

Shirin Taber definitly hit the bullseye with this book. She understands the dynamic of the Muslim faith and culture, and encourages others to have respect for their friend, neighbor and stranger on the street with the love of Christ.
This wonderful book breaks all the stereotypes that have been associated with Muslims and explains the humanity of everyone.
This reader gives this book and its author five stars along with the congratulations of going into a subject that is never talked about and doing it with a insiders view point and Christian beliefs.