Masjid morning

By Richard Morris

Book Description

In the heart of a small Maryland community, two young people from different worlds find themselves drawn together by curiosity and growing attraction. Atif, a dedicated premed student whose Pakistani immigrant father serves as both chief surgeon and mosque construction leader, begins meeting secretly with Amy, a high school senior whose veteran father owns a sprawling dairy farm.

What starts as Amy's innocent questions about Islam evolves into something deeper and more complex. As their connection strengthens, each harbors hopes of spiritual transformation in the other. Amy seeks to share her Christian faith with Atif, while he envisions their potential marriage leading her toward Islam.

Their personal journey unfolds against a backdrop of community tension that mirrors their private struggle. Atif's father works tirelessly to establish a place of worship for his congregation, while Amy's father, a decorated Battle of Mogadishu veteran, leads determined opposition to the mosque's construction.

Richard Morris weaves together themes of faith, family loyalty, and cross-cultural understanding in this exploration of how love challenges our deepest beliefs. The story examines what happens when personal relationships intersect with religious conviction, and how two families navigate the space between tradition and transformation.

This thoughtful narrative invites readers to consider how authentic dialogue across faith traditions might bridge seemingly insurmountable differences, both in matters of the heart and within communities seeking common ground.