The Invisible Muslim: Journeys Through Whiteness and Islam

by Medina Tenour Whiteman

Medina Tenour Whiteman stands at the margins of whiteness and Islam. An Anglo-American born to Sufi converts, she feels perennially out of place-not fully at home in Western or Muslim cultures.

In this searingly honest memoir, Whiteman contemplates what it means to be an invisible Muslim, examining the pernicious effects of white Muslim privilege and exploring what Muslim identity can mean the world over-in lands of religious diversity and cultural insularity, from Andalusia, Bosnia and Turkey to Zanzibar, India and Iran.

Through her travels, she unearths experiences familiar to both Western Muslims and anyone of mixed heritage: a life-long search for belonging and the joys and crises of inhabiting more than one identity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Islam, Memoir, Sociology, Autobiography

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2020

Reviews

[Yousra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part memoir, part journey into history, The Invisible Muslim is Medina’s account of life as the daughter of two white Anglo-American reverts to Islam. As Medina is white, blonde and doesn’t wear the headscarf you wouldn’t know she’s a Muslim - which is why she has titled her book The Invisible Muslim.

The book is a beautiful journey into her travels staying with various Muslim communities around the world - particularly in Africa and Europe - and the history of these communities which stretches back to the tenth and eleventh centuries - reminding us that Arabs and Desis aren’t the only Muslims.

As the daughter of an English revert to Islam I resonated with so much in the book - and the book delves into so many human concepts such as accountability, kindness to others and humility that it’s an uplifting read for everyone. I finished it feeling spiritually rejuvenated. Medina also explores Sufism as a practising Sufi and I really enjoyed reading about her parents’ days as hippy Sufis in the Seventies!
Medina talks frankly about issues within the Muslim community and the challenges as a Muslim living in the West with so much wisdom, insight and respect. Sometimes Muslims from Arab/Desi backgrounds are hesitant to read a white muslim’s story for the fear they will take a stance that they are superior because they are white - and Medina addresses this issue perfectly. However, and this is something I’ve encountered as someone whose mother is a convert - likewise, white Muslims have to face the assumption from Arab/Desi Muslims that we don’t know much about our religion and that they need to teach us. So the misassumption goes both ways. This is a 5-star non fiction read!

[Alex Castellano · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this was anecdotal, it was just as much historically informative and I really appreciated that contextualization. Would recommend.

[emina.mujagic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful on what it means to be a white Muslim in the western world.

[Bk Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the library shelf yesterday and could not put it down until I was done..not one single break. Fortunately, it's a easy and quick read.
I myself don't fit into ANY labels or identity. This book is just comforting to know another spirit who struggled with easy labels. There is racism and prejudice in ANY country, culture, tribe so Whiteman's journey is affirming and heart warming for those in the same boat.
This very stimulating life story certainly deserves a lot more readers.

[Kate Rafiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a joy to read. I think it's for anyone who finds themselves between cultures, religion or simply the general expectations of others! With fascinating snippets of digestible history, candid autobiographical stories, a lesson in recognising white privilege / supremacy and actively beating it out of ourselves, chunks of heart-warming and soul-tingling Sufi wisdom and plenty of chuckles along the way, it really is a 'must read' for anyone on life's journey!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best parts of the book were those centered on the Muslim communities the author knows best: those of the UK and Spain. Chapters set in Turkey and Iran added little to her discussion of the intersection between race and religion. (Talking with diasporic Turkish and Iranian/Persian communities could really have enriched the book in this respect.)

[Rabia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this exploration of identity, religion and intersecting cultures. Also at some points had me actually crying with tears. :D

[Kris Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a pleasure to read a book that feels like it’s the distillation of years of thinking, that every idea has been interrogated, thought through over time, before a conclusion has been reached. While also being flexible enough to know the conclusion itself may be subject to change. That’s the dexterity of Medina Tenour Whiteman’s writing and thinking in ‘The Invisible Muslim’.

It’s a physical journey and an internal one, wrapped up as a very readable memoir. It moves quickly, the author whisking us from Kenya, to Iran, to Bosnia, as well as deep dives on living as a Muslim in both Spain and the UK.

Each section blends personal experience with solid research. And while the author’s own experience is very specific – she is the child of converts to Sufism – her observations on whiteness should be a wake-up call to any white person who was born into, or has converted to any branch of Islam, via any route. This is some of the clearest thinking I’ve found on this topic so far, and she doesn’t shy away from exposing the privilege of whiteness that not only carries through into religion, but is at times amplified by it.

Overall, this book feels so current that it’s almost strange to see it in print and not as a constantly updated feed. It’s at times funny, also very moving, and is incredibly honest about the author’s own shortcomings. Lack of writing talent isn’t one of them. This is a must-read.

[Melissa Melfessity · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could only recommend one book for the rest of my life, it would probably be this one. As an "invisible" Muslim myself, I have never felt so seen before. But not only this, I also learned so much. The writing style is incredibly beautiful and so easy to follow along with. Medina has visited quite a few countries and she goes into an amazing storytelling way of explaining the history of these different countries and their cultures. I am no history lover, but I was able to keep up with the events that unfolded and never found myself bored. I learned a ton from this book and truly think it is a masterpiece!! She sheds light on so many controversial topics and brings forth such important details about certain cultures and Islam as a religion. It was truly such an eye-opening and enjoyable read. 10000 stars.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was at its strongest when Medina reflected in depth on her most direct, personal experiences – the chapters on Spain, the UK, marriage, and hijab I found sharply focused; clearly the product of much personal reflection and contemplation. I was less convinced by the chapters describing Islam around the world (the basis for inclusion was whether Medina had visited the country or not, often without speaking much of the language or interacting widely with local people). For me, these chapters lacked the detailed insight demonstrated by the chapters on Spain and the UK – and in turn, I found myself far less engaged.

[NKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read with some interesting travel reflections which were beautifully described. Not as much in depth reflection on why 'white' people are turning to Islam and what 'white' Islam is developing into as I had hoped to learn about. It was however a clearly very personal journey and probably took a lot of courage to put on paper. I would recommend for a light touch easy read on western Muslim women that come to Islam from a Sufi perspective.

[The Contented · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this through lockdown - an opportunity to travel through reading, but so much more.

An unexpected and excellent read. What a gift to find this book.

[Ismail Mayat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed, gained some real insights into a completely different perspective on Islam. Author is very funny and the book is well researched.

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written book exploring notions of belonging and identity.

[Arif Khwaja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written book about identity and belonging through the lens of personal history
Will resonate with anyone who straddles more than one identity

[kalakakku · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting musings on different topics in the white Muslim experiance. I was glad I read it. It was short, but I kept on puting it down which made it take a while to finish.

[Šejla Hadžić · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish it was longer! This book felt like a friend I didn’t see for a long time, but yet we could understand each other without words.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful read into the life of a white Muslim woman, Medina Tenour Whiteman - the daughter of white reverts. Lots of personal anecdotes as well as history.

[Rochelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second half of the book picked up but I wasn’t particularly interested in her travels in the first half of the book. There were too many names and places that were mentioned which made it hard to follow.