Let’s Talk About ItBook list &

Discussion dates

Muslim Journeys books, continuedThe Ornament of the World This fascinating portrait of medieval Spain explores the golden age when Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived together in an atmosphere of tolerance.

Menocal, Maria Rosa

Minaret Aboulela's American debut is a provocative, timely, and engaging novel about a young Muslim woman gradually embracing her orthodox faith.

Aboulela, Leila

Acts of Faith Patel,EbooA remarkable account of growing up Muslim in America and coming to believe in religious pluralism, from one of the most prominent faith leaders in the U.S.

In an Antique Land Ghosh, AmitavThe author recounts his ten-year investigation into the life a twelfth-century Indian slave who lived in a remote corner of Egypt.

Islamic Arts Bloom, JonathanA comprehensive survey that brilliantly captures the essence of Islamic culture. BLO

Prince Among Slaves Alford,Terry The remarkable story of Abd al Rahman Ibrahima, a Muslim prince from West Africa, who was captured and enslaved in the United States.

Muhammad Brown, JonathanThis provides a superb introduction to the major aspects of Muhammad's life and its importance, providing both Muslim and Western historical perspectives.

Muslim Journeys books, continued

The Arabian NightsThis rapturously received translation of The Arabian Nights is based on a landmark reconstruction of the earliest extant manuscript version.

Dreams of Trespass Mernissi, Fatima" I was born in a harem in 1940 in Fez, Morocco... " So begins this exotic and rich narrative of a childhood behind the iron gates of a domestic harem.

Rumi: Poet and Mystic Contains delicately rhythmical versions of over a hundred short passages from this thirteenth century mystical poet's greatest works.

Nicholson, Reynold

A Quiet Revolution Ahmed, Leila Today, the majority of Muslim women throughout the Islamic world again wear the veil. Ahmed explores how this change took root so swiftly and what this shift means for women, Islam, and the West.

Leo Africanus Maalouf, AminThrough the adventures of a wise, courageous traveler, this excellent historical novel limns Islamic culture at the time of Columbus.

In the Country of Men Matar, HishamMatar sets his debut in the cities in which he grew up, Tripoli and Cairo, and focuses on the memories of his narrator, Suleiman, as he relives the summer of 1979, when he was nine.

Columbia Sourcebook of Muslims in the United StatesBringing together an unusually personal collection of essays and documents from an incredibly diverse group of Americans who call themselves Muslims, editor Curtis "finds Islam" in the American experience from colonial times to the present.

Broken Verses Shamsie, KamilaMerging the personal with the political, Broken Verses is at once a sharp, thrilling journey through modern-day Pakistan, a carefully coded mystery, and an intimate mother-daughter story that asks how we forgive a mother who leaves.

Muslim Journeys DVDsIslamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible WorldExploring distant locations and many rare pieces of art, the film illuminates the history of a global culture, reflecting the Islamic world as it developed over centuries and as it is today.

Koran by Heart110 kids from the Islamic world are chosen and arrive in Cairo for the world's oldest Koran reciting contest. Prince Among SlavesThe true story of a West African prince who was sold into slavery in 1788, eventually ending up in Natchez, Mississippi.

What is the NEH and what is their Bridging Cultures initiative?

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is conducting a special initiative, Bridging Cultures, which engages the power of the humanities to promote understanding of and mutual respect for people with diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives within the United States and abroad.

What are the Let’s Talk About book discussions?

Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys is a scholar-led reading and discussion program. The River Forest Public Library, Oak Park Public Library and Dominican University have partnered together to host 5 scholar led book discussions designed to provide area residents with a comprehensive introduction to Islamic art, culture and history.

What is the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf?

All of the books to be discussed in this series are part of the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys. The materials comprising the Bookshelf were selected with the advice of librarians and cultural programming experts, as well as distinguished scholars in the fields of anthropology, world history, religious studies, interfaith dialogue, the history of art and architecture, world literature and Middle East, Southeast Asian, African and Islamic studies.

All materials from the “Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys” are available for check-out at the participating libraries.

Let’s Talk About ItBook Discussion programs

Muslim Journeys booksThe Butterfly Mosque Wilson, G. WIllowDocuments the author's conversion to Islam and her efforts to balance the virtues of both cultures.

The House of Wisdom Al-Khalili, JimA myth-shattering view of the medieval Islamic world's myriad scientific innovations, which preceded-and enabled-the European Renaissance.

The Children of Abraham Peters, F.E.This classic study examines the shared yet contested Abrahamic base of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, then compares their views.

The Art of the Hajj This striking little book not only takes the reader on a journey, but celebrates the skill and creativity of artists, craftspeople, and the pilgrims themselves who have responded to the call of Hajj over the centuries.

Porter, Venetia

Persepolis Satrapi, MarjaneSatrapi's autobiographical graphic novel is a timely and timeless story of a young girl's life under the Islamic Revolution.

House of Stone In Lebanon in 2006, Shadid found himself in his family’s ancestral hometown of Marjayoun. There, he discovered his family’s once magnificent estate in near ruins, devastated by war. Shadid returns, not to chronicle the violence, but to rebuild in its wake.

Shadid, Anthony

Snow Pamuk, OrhanUpon returning to his home in secular Turkey, a poet named Ka discovers two things that will change his life.

When Asia was the World Gordon, StewartA compelling and unique look at Asia from AD 700 to 1500 by relating the personal journeys of Asia’s many travelers.

The Story of the Qu’ran Mattson, IngridAn insightful and authoritative introduction to the book at the heart of Muslim life, written by a well-known Islamic scholar.

The Conference of the Birds Composed in the twelfth century in northeastern Iran, Farid Attar’s great mystical poem is among the most significant of all works of Persian literature.

Attar, Farid

A Quiet Revolution by Leila Ahmed

February 2014Discussion leader TBADominican University, Springer Suites

Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel

Tuesday, December 10th, 6:30 PMDiscussion led by Dr. Aly Drame andDr. Samina Hadi-TabassumOak Park Public Library

The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson

Tuesday, January 21st, 6:30 PMDiscussion led by Dr. Mohammed AskarDominican University, Springer Suites

Prince Among Slaves by Terry Alford

Tuesday, November 12th, 6:30 PMDiscussion led by Dr. Aly DrameRiver Forest Public Library

Columbia Sourcebook of Muslimsin the United States (selected essay),edited by Edward E. Curtis V

Tuesday, March 18th, 6:30 PMDiscussion led by Dr. Aly Drame andDr. Khalid RazakiDominican University, Springer Suites

Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, a reading and discussion series, has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association.