War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims

by Melody Moezzi

War on Error brings together the stories of twelve young people, all vastly different but all American, and all Muslim. Their approaches to religion couldn’t be more diverse: from a rapper of Korean and Egyptian descent to a bisexual Sudanese American to a converted white woman from Colorado living in Cairo and wearing the hijab. These individuals, whether they were born to the religion or came to it on their own, have made their own decisions about how observant they’ll be, whether or not to fast, how often to pray, and what to wear. Though each story is unique, each is also seen through the searching eyes of Melody Moezzi, herself an American Muslim of Iranian descent. She finds that the people she interviews are horrified that, in a post-9/11 world, they have seen their religion come to be represented, in the minds of many Americans, by terrorism. These thoughtful and articulate individuals represent the truth about the faith and its adherents who are drawn to the logic, compassion, and tolerance they find in Muslim teachings. Moezzi, ever comfortable with contradiction and nuance, is a likable narrator whose underlying assumption that “faith is greater than dogma” is strengthened as she learns more about her religion and faces her own biases and blind spots. This fresh new voice, combined with the perceptions and experiences of her fellow American Muslims, make for a read that is both illuminating and enjoyable.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Islam

150 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Melody Moezzi is an Iranian-American Muslim author, attorney, activist, and visiting professor of creative nonfiction at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Kirkus calls her latest book, The Rumi Prescription: How an Ancient Mystic Poet Changed My Modern Manic Life, “a heartening narrative of family, transformation, and courage” that “could shatter a variety of prejudices and stereotypes.” She is also the author of Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life and War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims. She is a United Nations Global Expert and an Opinion Leader for the British Council’s “Our Shared Future” initiative, and her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and myriad other outlets. She has also appeared as a commentator on many radio and television programs, including NPR, CNN, BBC, PBS, and others. A graduate of Wesleyan University and Emory University's School of Law and School of Public Health, Moezzi lives between Cambridge, Massachusetts and Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband, Matthew, and their ungrateful cats, Keshmesh and Nazanin. Follow her on Twitter at @MelodyMoezzi and on Instagram at @Melody.Moezzi.

Reviews

[Melody Moezzi]

I wrote it, which is why I'm not rating it. I just hope my readers enjoy reading it and wanted to say so for the record :).

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moezzi is by far one of the best writers I have ever read. I tend to be a fiction snob, so saying this is a big step for me! I know, maybe reading a book about Muslim profiles wasn't on your to-do list (you still have to finish the Twilight series)... the point is, this book is GOOD, and you should read it as much for the clever writing style as for the content. I am finally reading it completely, and I know it's good because I find myself beating myself up for not having read it all earlier.

WAR ON ERROR is a thoughtful meditation on what we all seem to forget when we watch quick coverage on the news these days -- that religion, in this case Islam, is highly personal. That there is a spectrum of devotees who you might never imagine would fall under your concept of "Muslim". (no matter how well-educated/open minded you consider yourself to be on the topic!) As you turn the pages it's as if she takes you by the hand and introduces you to them one by one. Ultimately, it's insightful while not being preachy or patronizing -- or ever running the risk of boring you.

Writing page-turning nonfiction or having lines in your journalistic book that make a reader want to underline? -- *that* is a spectacular feat. Her ability to cover a sensitive topic thoughtfully and with such an engaging style means I'm keeping a close eye out for her next one.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting and was incredibly disappointing. The stories all seemed to be the same thing and about the same people. the author constantly interrupted others' stories with her own history and opinions, which really detracted from the experience.

I also did not appreciate the fatphobia.

[Saminur Rahman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book for ‘Muslim American Studies’ at college. It was nice to get to know experiences from Muslim lives, but themes were repetitive through each story and I thought that my instructor would’ve have better additional material to explore their lives. It’s fine for those who want personal experiences of the Muslim American experience.

[Iman Zaineb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moezzi's War on Error was the perfect read to shake me up and give me ease. As a survey of the lives of American Muslims, I first thought of how "alternative" just about each of the characters was. They didn't seem to represent the Joe- and Jane-Average Muslims that I encounter and have befriended in the almost 13 years since I said my shahadah, accepting Islam as my personal faith. I found this startling, as I was looking for my friends in the pages. But then I realized that each of the people in the pages shared something, somehow in common with me: from the struggles to make salaat regularly to being a single, divorced mother, to being adamantly pro-gay rights, to the true LOVE of Allah (swt), the Qur'an, and the Ummah as a hold, I found myself in there.

Reading the book made me realize that my friends are probably also in those pages, but it is so difficult to speak out about the personal struggles that we face, that maybe my friends and I haven't, but should begin talking about our jihads.

Reading War on Error made me want to befriend each person that Moezzi met, to say, "hey, me too" or sometimes, "okay, not me, but I get you. I respect your perspective."

I am pretty well pleased at how I feel after reading this. It has inspired me in ways that your will just have to wait to see, insha'Allah.

Just don't forget my name! ;)

[Mike Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, an attorney, was motivated by the events of 9/11 to write a book of interviews clarifying who American Muslims are, what they believe and why. For non-Muslims, there are insights into the Muslim faith and the conflicts between being an American and ethnic roots. Whether these twelve Muslims are a representative sample or not is perhaps debatable, but the message is a powerful statement of courage, faith and compassion in the post-9/11 world of suspicion and the Patriot Act.

This book was received in exchange for an honest review.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written; I love the way Melody writes. She did a great job of providing diverse perspectives of American Muslims. It would be very interesting to have an updated version of this book, given all the events that have occurred in the last eight years in the U.S. and around the world. One critique I have of the accounts is that all of them appear to be that of individuals who have completed higher education. It would be insightful to hear the perspectives from American Muslims who are of lower class and are not necessarily first-generation immigrants.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won my copy on Library Thing and I held onto it for a long time, somewhat hesitant in reading it, I am glad I finally did, this book gives you a unique perspective on the Muslim Culture. It follows 12 Muslims of a different variety and class and some of the obsticles they have faced. I have always been drawn to learn about other cultures and religions, and I was fascinated by the stories. i really enjoyed this author.

[Zainab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the message the author was trying to relay definitely got across, she made so many mistakes when trying to interpret ahadith and Quranic verses. I didn't agree with a lot of what she/the interviewees had to say about Islam, especially since they made up their own fatwas and rules. Overall, its an alright book if you're look for some light reading and to broaden your perspective.

[Amanda Ishtayeh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book but since I have a lot of experience with Muslims the observations were not new to me. I think anyone that thinks they have preconceived notions about Islam and its people should give this one a gander.

[Dalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

some of the stories were intersting in this collection, but something was missing. it seemed that the interviewers were selected for shock value.