cover image Burqas, Baseball, and Apple Pie: Being Muslim in America

Burqas, Baseball, and Apple Pie: Being Muslim in America

Ranya Tabari Idliby. Palgrave Macmillan, $27 (256p) ISBN 978-0-230-34184-5

In this memoir-cum-manifesto, Idliby, a Muslim American of Palestinian and Kuwaiti origin, writes about her experiences raising Muslim children in America and being a moderate Muslim, particularly in New York City, post-September 11. Idliby is an eloquent and informed spokeswoman for her faith, and voices like hers are needed in today’s charged political climate. In this book she counters extremists on both sides, Muslim and non-Muslim, with calls for peace and rational dialogue. In particular she focuses on her children’s experiences growing up Muslim and America, with mixed success; while some anecdotes of the conflicts they face with fitting in and standing out are powerful illustrations of fear and prejudice at work, others wander into simple parental indulgence, such as her recounting of her young toddler’s sleep habits. Other aspects of the book also veer from the main focus, such as a chapter addressed to her young daughter. Readers well-versed in Islam should look elsewhere for depth and nuance, but for others it will be a light and likeable introduction to issues facing American Muslims today. (Jan. 7)