Red, White, and Muslim: My Story of Belief – A Personal Journey to Reclaim Spiritual and Cultural Identity

by Asma Gull Hasan

For Asma Hasan, being a Muslim is not merely a matter of birth, but a matter of choice and faith. Hasan's personal relationship with her religion was, and continues to be, a defining element of her life, and through her writing she inspires a new understanding and appreciation of a frequently misunderstood tradition. This is her American story.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Nonfiction, Memoir

172 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Asma Gull Hasan is an American writer and lawyer. Born to Pakistani immigrant parents in Chicago, Illinois, she grew up in Pueblo, Colorado.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book very simplistic. In fact, I kept checking the author's information to find out how old she was when she wrote this book, thinking maybe it was written by a teenager.
There is no attempt to reconcile the rosy-colored view of Islam the author has with the very real abuses done in its name, to individuals, populations and countries.
For example, she writes, "[The son:] didn't kill his father, despite the father's previous endorsement of his brother, although in those days such a deed clearly warranted execution. {The son killed his brother to get the throne.} Aurangzeb instead let [his father:] live under house arrest in a castle fort opposite the Taj where he could cherish the memory of his beloved wife. His daughter lived with him and took care of him."
Well, that is one way to put it when your son kills your other son and then locks you up in a tower for the rest of your life, with the additional torment that the tower has a view of the place of your wife's burial.
Because of this overly-simplified, more-than-rosy glossed view of history and certain issues, it made it impossible for me to take anything she wrote seriously.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 5 stars not because I found it to be particularly revealing or unusual. Because this is my field of study, this book had actually little to offer to me. Individuals well-read in the study of Islam might find the author's explanations of certain practices and beliefs simplistic.

But it's a good book, and an important one. Non-Muslims interested in understanding more about Islam from a South Asian Muslim woman's perspective should certainly take a look at this book, which is a quick read. The author does not dumb down any of the concepts, but makes them relatable and readable. She also introduces passages from the Qur'an, which is something that many other books about Muslims in America lack.

[Weavre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written, and small enough to tuck in my purse as well!

I'd urge anyone who's formed their opinion of Islam from American media reports to read this thoughtful, liberated view as expressed by a devoutly Muslim American woman. Pithy, insightful, plainspoken, and simply brilliant--Asma Hasan's work stands out as an ideal introduction to a rich global religious tradition.

[Kara Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her understanding of Islam and her potential are great.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. She has convinced me that Islam and America share much of the same values. Much of my knowledge of Islam was incorrect about jihad (not a holy war, but struggles in life), FGM (local custom not Islamic), etc. Highly recommend!

[Terri E. Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. As a Christian , I want to explore more of our similarities. Ignorance is what creates fear and supposition.

[Aziza Mehmoudzai · Rating 1 out of 5]

I commend the author's effort at writing a book on this subject matter. She does a good job demonstrating the relationship Muslims have with their religion and their American identity.

However, there are too many mistakes in the book; thus prompting one to question her research. The errors may seem minor, but they demonstrate her lack of knowledge regarding the Middle East/Muslim world. The Muslim world and the Middle East are very complex, as is the study of Islam. Too often, she generalizes to make her point that Muslims and Islam are compatible with an American identity. I don't disagree with her, but I do question her research.

Examples: She talks about ijtihad as a form of independent reasoning that Muslims have applied throughout the past few centuries. The way she describes and champions ijtihad makes one believe that Muslims have the freedom to formulate their own understanding of Islamic law and principles. If only it were so easy. The study of Islamic law (fiqh) and shari'a (principles of Islam from which fiqh is derived) is extremely complex and it is something that unfortunately lay Muslims knows little about.

Other examples: She states Urdu/Hindi are the languages of India, Pakistan and Iran. Really? Iran? The language spoken in Iran is Farsi (Persian). The people of Iran have never spoken Hindi/Urdu. It's mind boggling that she would make such an error. It's akin to someone stating that French is the language of France, Belgium and Greece. At another point in her book, she states Arabs are diverse with regard to the religions they practice. She includes Judaism, Islam, and Christianity...along with Zoroastrianism. Weird. Zoroastrianism is not a faith Arabs practice. The religion is indigenous to Iran. And modern day practitioners are of ethnic Persian or Kurdish lineage. I have never heard of Arab Zoroastrians. And you cannot convert into the religion either. There are Arabs in the southern regions of Iran, but I have not heard of Arabs in the modern day practicing a religion that was indigenous to Persians/Kurds and because of no conversions allowed, any Arabs converting to and practicing the religion. It is probably so so so so so rare to find an Arab practicing Zoroastrianism that to even mention it in her book seemed disingenuous.

She also stated numerous times in passing that her father was "expelled" from India during the partitioning of India. Fact of the matter is, during the partition period, which was indeed very bloody and devastating to both the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities of the sub-continent, many Muslims who left what is now modern day India for the majority Muslim Pakistan, chose to leave voluntarily. The same is true for Hindus, many who were in the minority in modern-day Pakistan, and thus chose to migrate to the Hindu majority India. Neither India nor Pakistan adopted an official policy of expelling any religious group. Religious vigilante groups in both countries forced minorities to flee through some of the most heinous means. But it is historically erroneous and inaccurate for her to state her father was "expelled." And it should be noted that the good majority of Muslims who live in India in our modern day chose to stay.

Her chapter on Sufism is very skewed. Where do I even begin? If Sufism was really practiced as the way she described, we would all be Sufis! Sufism has its many extremes. Quoting Rumi doesn't make you a Sufi. And Rumi's poems and whirling dervishes hardly come close to demonstrating Sufism in all its forms.

These are some of the many errors I found in her book. She simply did not do her research and doesn't know her history of the Middle East or Muslim world.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really felt EDUCATED by this book.

Read it. It will enlighten and help dismiss the stereotypical understanding most Americans have of Islam and its holy book, the Qur'an.

It is well written and an engaging composition which draws upon the author's personal life and her commitment to Islam and its teachings - a much more progressive and free-thinking religion than one might have expected.

The book does a marvelous job of intertwining facts about Islam with personal stories that are often hilarious - buy this book if you want to know more about Islam from a voice that is very down to earth and easy to read!

Americans looking for a strong, moderate Muslim voice that publicly condemns terrorism and the second-class status of women should consider it done—not once and for all, but nonetheless consistently and fiercely. Hasan, an American Muslim woman whose efforts to inform others about the Islam that she practices and to correct narrow-minded extremists have earned her regular appearances on Fox News and MSNBC, has revised Why I Am a Muslim (2004), adding fresh material.

Its arguments, based in Hasan's personal experience and religious knowledge, are as relevant now as they were five years ago. The book is directed primarily at non-Muslim Americans to show them Qur'anic texts and Islamic beliefs and practices that challenge unfavorable stereotypes. But Hasan also takes on her fellow Muslims, urging them to distinguish cultural mores from religious orthodoxy, especially concerning the treatment of women.

That she continues to face such oppressive interpretations of Islam by other Muslims undermines her arguments that Islam is "not like that." But readers will wish that she and others continue with such courageous correctives.

[JodyReads]

I have my students study different cultures, so when I saw this book in a give-away pile, I thought I would read it to learn more myself. Unfortunately, the book was not as interesting as I had hoped. She seems to babble on and on, endlessly quoting the Quran. I don't mind that she supports her points using the Quran, but sometimes I feel like she uses the readings to make her point, which is more difficult for me to follow and interpret. Also, she notes consistently that there are Muslims in American who fiercely disagree with the way she lives, so while I understand there are all levels of practitioners in many faiths, I don't know that I learned as much about Islam/Muslims than I thought I would.

[Raphaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read this, and mostly disappointed. Some sections are informative and provide good insight into the more beautiful aspects of Islam. For the most part, though, this reads less like an account and, often, more like a passionate defense against a phantom audience or critics. It's especially offputting when she speaks to Muslims who speak negatively about America, using an ugly “love it or leave it” rhetoric which begs the question, if America didn’t create an uncomfortable climate for Muslims, then why is American media the breeding ground for all the vicious misconceptions which form much of the basis of Hasan’s central argument?

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is extremely simplistic and apologetic. She wraps Islam up in a pretty little bow, without delving into any of the challenging issues a modern Muslim deals with in the post 9/11 world. Her book would have been far more authentic if she had actually displayed some understanding of how tribalism has perverted much of the beautiful tenants Islam originally proclaimed.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Succinct view of Muslim beliefs interspersed with personal experiences. I enjoyed the simplified explanation of Muslim beliefs and thought she'd had some interesting experiences as an American Muslim. Quick read, fairly short book.

[Tuscany Bernier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It showed me a woman's simple view of her own Islam and I felt like she was encouraging me to find my own version. She comes off as very real and truthful. I learned a little about Sufism too. :)

[Lynn Dolven]

The author grew up in Pueblo and her brother is active in GOP politics in Eagle County.

[Malisa Spencer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not quite what I thought it would be. It felt very preachy and included much whining and complaining. Overall, a book that doesn't have much going for it.

[Edward ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rambling at places but overall a great book