Praying to the West
Book Description
Omar Mouallem embarks on a deeply personal quest that bridges faith, identity, and belonging in contemporary America. Raised in a Muslim household yet skeptical of organized religion's influence, Mouallem finds himself grappling with questions that intensify as he becomes a father. How can he protect his children from growing hostility toward their heritage while remaining true to his own complex relationship with faith?
His search for answers takes him across the Americas to thirteen distinctive mosques, each representing a unique facet of Islamic experience far from the religion's birthplace. From the sun-soaked communities of California to the frozen landscapes of northern Canada, from Quebec's cultural crossroads to Brazil's vibrant congregations, Mouallem encounters Muslims whose stories illuminate how faith adapts and flourishes in unexpected places.
Through these encounters, he uncovers Islam's surprising role in shaping American history, from industrial development to political transformation. More importantly, he discovers that spirituality and cultural identity need not follow conventional paths. His journey reveals how communities preserve their essence while embracing new contexts, offering insights into the universal human struggle to balance tradition with personal truth.
This exploration becomes both travelogue and spiritual memoir, examining how faith can evolve beyond rigid boundaries. Mouallem's honest questioning and discoveries speak to anyone navigating the intersection of heritage, belief, and modern life, particularly parents seeking to honor their roots while forging authentic paths forward.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~11 hours)
📄 Length: 384 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Travel
- ✓ Explore HISTORY / Social History
- ✓ Explore SOCIAL SCIENCE / Islamic Studies
- ✓ Explore Islam and culture
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / General
- ✓ Explore Western Civilization
- ✓ Explore Islamic influences
