Continuing this week’s tradition of cool interviews, I bring you a conversation with Dilara Hafiz, one of the authors behind The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook
, a recent publication that has received praise from the likes of Reza Aslan. This book was a family effort: Dilara co-authored with her son and daughter, Imran and Yasmine Hafiz.
Natalia: When did you first get the idea for this book? Did anything in particular spur you on?
Dilara: First of all, my teenage daughter was browsing in a bookstore and found lots of books for Christian, Jewish, Buddhist youth, even Wiccan youth, but nothing for Muslim teens. Also, my son’s classmates at school taunted him and said that he was in the Taliban – but they basically didn’t understand what the difference between Muslim and Taliban was.
Life as a Muslim in post 9/11 America is challenging to say the least! It’s an uphill battle to counter the stereotypes perpetuated by a xenophobic media whilst simultaneously countering the narrow, intolerant version of Islam perpetuated by some fanatical Muslims and mosques in America! My family decided to take some positive steps to make sure our voice, the voice of Moderate Muslims, was heard – we decided to write a book – entertaining, educational, and empowering for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Hence The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook
was born. Librarians and educators have welcomed it as a much needed resource to combat ignorance & shatter stereotypes about Muslims in the West.
Natalia: Was it difficult to write such a book? What was the creative process like?
Dilara: We first sent out a survey in 2002 to over 40 Islamic schools in America to assess teen viewpoints on various issues including: the 5 pillars of Islam, role-models, culture clash, life in post 9/11 America etc. Over 150 responses are included in our book to show the diversity of Muslims in America.
We covered as many important issues as we came up with – we worked on several chapters simultaneously, we all wrote, edited, discussed, and then re-wrote passages – it’s not easy to get 3 different people to agree! But we offer the mainstream, moderate viewpoint without, judging anyone. We always encourage dialogue, further study into Islam, inter-faith dialogue, and so on.
We start each chapter with a verse from the Quran, which is the starting point for the serious discussion, followed by a more modern way of incorporating the lesson of the verse into your daily life. Each chapter also contains a more light-hearted, ‘fun’ element, – either a quiz, list, do’s & don’t’s, etc. It took us from 2003-2006 to actually write the book, then another year for graphic design, layout, editing, and publishing.
Natalia: How do you answer your strongest detractors?
Dilara: I think the diversity of response exhibits that we’ve struck a chord. The overwhelming response has been positive, from both Muslims and non-Muslims – but there is a disturbing, fundamental element in Islam which seeks to silence diversity of opinion and interpretation – the fact that our book shows the reality of Muslims (ie: – not all the girls in the book wear hijab, just like not all Muslim women in reality wear hijab!). The variety of observance in any faith can upset the more conservative element, but in Islam only God is meant to judge us – we are certainly not meant to judge each other. Kingpin
Natalia: Do you feel that this effort has been scrutinized by non-Muslims? How have non-Muslims, especially those people that you do not know personally, responded to this work so far?
Dilara: Amazingly enough – more non-Muslims are purchasing the book as they are welcoming it as an invaluable resource in schools and libraries. Because the book is non-proselytizing and accessible – non-Muslims like it. It offers them a glimpse into the life of an American Muslim teenager – it’s realistic and down-to-earth, plus it is both entertaining and educational, we think.
Natalia: How have the Muslims responded?
Dilara: Some Muslims feel that they don’t need the book because they already know their religion – but Islam encourages us to continue in our search for knowledge. Lots of Muslims are buying the book to give as a gift to co-workers, their grand-children, neighbors, etc. – so we would be very pleased if it contributes in a small way to promoting a beneficial understanding of Islam as well as dispelling stereotypes about Muslims.
The Butterfly Tattoo psp Natalia: Besides the usual book-promotion stuff, do you do anything specific to reach out to the Muslim youth that this book targets?
Dilara: I think the fact that the book is available in libraries and mainstream bookstores will ensure that it is readily available to Muslim teens who may not be associated with a mosque or do not frequent solely Islamic web stores or websites. We’ve been reviewed in many Muslim and non-Muslim newspapers and magazines, so I do think that teens who are interested are able to learn about the book.
Natalia: This may seem like a stupid question, so feel free to have fun with it: Do you think it’s hard or easy being an American Muslim teenager today? One of the reasons that I ask has to do with the fact that when I interviewed Muslim teenagers, a lot of them made statements such as “I can’t be a good Muslim here, I want to move to Saudi Arabia.” Have you encountered this mentality at all?
Dilara: Wow – great question! Honestly – I think the future of Islam lies in the West – where we truly have freedom to practice an Islam free of cultural influences. I think being a Muslim in the West requires more conscious thought, but that it also inspires us to live fully as Muslims while giving a good example to others. Many Western morals and values are fully compatible with being a Muslim – the notion of social justice, community service, inter-faith dialogue, etc. which sometimes is lacking in Muslim countries. I think there’s less hypocrisy here amongst Muslims.