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Religion & Spirituality |
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Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation
written by Eboo Patel
Studio : Beacon Press
by Beacon Press
Publisher : Beacon Press
Released : 2008-07-15
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780807077276
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 12 reviews)
List Price : $13.00
Our Price : $6.98
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Product Description |
A young Muslim activist explains our critical need to counter the recruitment of youth by religious fundamentalists
Acts of Faith is Eboo Patel's remarkable account of coming of age and coming to understand what led him toward religious pluralism rather than hatred. His story is a hopeful and moving testament to the power and passion of young people, and to the notion that we find the fulfillment of our identities in the work we do in the world.
"A beautifully written story of discovery and hope."
—President Bill Clinton
"Visionary . . . The tale of a man's increasing understanding that traditions of mercy, compassion, and social justice are embedded in every faith, and accessing them is the key to creating a pluralism that enhances fiath rather than threatening it."
—Adam Mansbach, Boston Globe
"Eboo Patel is an exciting new voice of a new America: diverse but not divisive, hopeful but not utopian. He speaks for all of us from a rising generation of bright, brown and bold Americans who have much to offer a country embarking on a new millennium and in need of new blood."
—Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, executive director of the Zaytuna Institute
"[Patel] shows how educating a new generation to reject religious intolerance and work for the common good is the only way the world can avoid growing fanaticism and violence. This hopeful book shows the power that is waiting to be engaged for a better future."
—Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics
"Eboo Patel has crafted an elegantly written and brilliantly argued manifesto—a call to arms, really—about the importance, not of interfaith dialogue, but of interfaith cooperation. His thesis is simple: children are not born to hate; hatred is taught to them. And in a time when religion is used increasingly to justify bigotry and violence, it is up to people of faith everywhere who believe in peace, and tolerance, and pluralism, to stand up to those who preach hatred in the name of God. Acts of Faith is more than a book, it is an awakening of the mind. It should be required reading for all Americans."
—Reza Aslan, author of No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
"A remarkable book by a young Muslim and a Rhodes Scholar with a vast spiritual vision: a future in which young people join hands in service across the lines of religion. Refreshing, honest, and hopeful, it will speak to the soul of a generation yearning for a new way ahead. Give it to every young person in your life—and to yourself."
—Diana Eck, author of A New Religious America: How a 'Christian Country' Has Become the World's Most Religious Diverse Nation |
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How we can at least curb Terrorism |
My title summarizes what the author tries to stress in his book. I read it almost in one sitting. What I remember most was from the first few chapters where the Father of author kept saying things that I think most Muslims say and believe but never really say it. He said "I love the American people,but it is the government that does all the bombings" and "Muslims are dying by the thousands, and these people (America) don't give a s**t." Muslims are critical of the U.S. government and don't have anything against Americans and if Osama thinks that he can target and kill any American for what the U.S. army does, including me, then he can stick his jihad where the sun doesn't shine.
The point of the book can be summarized in what a man said to the author in regards to how a person becomes a terrorist. He said extremists don't just walk into a mosque and say "excuse me, would you like to join me in blowing up London." The extremists take their time in building strong relationships with their subjects and Mr. Patel suggests that we build the relationships before the extremists get their hands on them. I think that being a sociologist had given this man the vision to see the solution to ending terrorism. He needs to be given a job immediately in homeland security or under the new Secretary of State in the Obama cabinet. I would also suggest that the State Department hire me as well because I am from Yemen and I speak Arabic and English perfectly and I understand the background of terrorists very well. |
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Beautiful and Profound |
This book is deeply thoughtful and a joy to read. The writing is beautiful, and the author's story is compelling. He's managed to convey his faith journey and his sometimes painfully honest struggle for identity in terms that everyone can understand. The conclusions he reaches are simultaneously simple and earth-shaking. It's almost as though he appropriates and then sheds multitudes of identities until finally finding himself and realizing that pluralism is necessary to peace. I found riveting his stories of extremists and what might have made them lose their way and how we -- as their society, their family, their schools, and their peers -- might have helped them before it was too late.
We live too close to each other now, in this new smaller world, to live isolated and rigid in our own views, making the clash of civilizations a self-fulfilling prophecy. Eboo Patel's book shows us a different, necessary way toward the future.
Although Patel talks about being Muslim, he doesn't discuss much about the faith of Islam. For an engaging, fun-to-read introduction to Islam that's an excellent combination of scholarship and storytelling (sort of similar to Patel's book in that regard), check out The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and That Veil Thing. |
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ACTS OF FAITH charts his ability to move beyond hate to deeper messages and provides inspiration for all |
ACTS OF FAITH: THE STORY OF AN AMERICAN MUSLIM, THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SOUL OF A GENERATION tells of the author's coming of age and understanding of religious pluralism. He grew up outside of Chicago and was the subject of racist bullying and Muslim hatred - but learned in college what was at the root of prejudice. ACTS OF FAITH charts his ability to move beyond hate to deeper messages and provides inspiration for all, making it a special pick for any collection strong in spirituality or in Middle East politics and prejudices.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch |
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An important memoir for young global change agents. |
As the Director of the Center for Global Engagement at Northwestern University, I am always on the look out for books that help young people make sense of their place in the world and their potential to create meaningful change.
What I felt the strongest connection to in Acts of Faith was Eboo's sense - which I felt throughout the book - that by exploring the intersection of one's own story and the legacy or history of the stories of which it is a part, each of us might better understand the potential of our own moment. Even more, each of us might be better able to access that potential and make it real.
What I believe Eboo has come across - in this book and with IFYC more widely - is nothing less than a deep truth of human nature - that not only does our sense of self impact our impact on the world, but that by working to strengthen, round out and challenge that sense of self, we better enable everyone to contribute their unique assets, potentials, and perspectives to improving our shared future.
What I've better come to understand after reading this is that what Patel calls "pluralism", the Center for Global Engagement calls "collaboration across borders," but it amounts to the same thing: a deep belief in the potential of the space we all share to make of this world all that it can be.
Highly recommended for the young social entrepreneur, volunteer, or humanitarian on your list! |
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Amazing true Story! |
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I loved reading this book - couldn't put it down! I heard Eboo Patel speak at a Book Session in Chicago and he's really inspirational! I could relate to so many diff. things in his book. I've purchased several copies and distributed to friends and family! Great booK! |
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