After reading tons of teenage magazines, it’s depressing to find that you cannot relate to much of your American generation, consisting of over-revealing clothes and lives filled with excessive drama. As a Muslim American teenager, I do need something to read that I can really relate to.

There’s nothing like having something to turn to during a time when you are completely confused about who and what you are. American Muslims: The New Generation came to my rescue. When I began reading Asma Gull Hasan’s book, it was one of the most comforting reading experiences I’ve ever had. The entire book kept me hooked. For me, it was an Islamic class, history lesson, and Muslim American Seventeen magazine advice column all in one.

Living in America, I have to acknowledge that I am an American, but continue to remember my Pakistani roots, and always keep in mind that above everything else, I am a Muslim. At times, however it is slightly difficult to be all three at once. A few months ago, I do remember my aunt telling me that I belong to a new generation of Pakistani American Muslims, but I honestly couldn’t comprehend the concept. After reading Asma’s book, I found that my aunt, indeed was right, and I didn’t feel alone in my quest. Asma describes this phenomenon as “that balance by choosing what is important to us from among our various value systems.”

I was reading the book every spare moment I had in class. Ironically, the book actually came in handy for recommending another book. My friend was going through the required books for her English class, and asked me whether I recommended Roots. I could not give her my personal opinion of the book, as it was also one of the books I had yet to read on my list. Then it struck me- Asma mentioned Roots in her book! I whipped out my book, and read out loud to my friend, “…it tells a story that exemplifies the slave experience in America through generations, reading Roots is like unlocking and sifting through the contents of a gigantic treasure chest.” At that point, I think we both wanted to read Roots, but no longer because it was on our reading list. I personally wanted to read it because “at least one-fifth of African slaves brought to America were Muslim...” It was helpful for Asma to include this topic in her book because not only non-Muslims, but many Muslims like myself may probably have been unaware of the fact that so many slaves were Muslims.

From hijab to halal, this book confronts issues that are often very misunderstood, or avoided by people. I’m sure every Muslim American has been questioning the need to constantly segregate. I personally do wonder why- especially since in the world outside of our mosques and social gatherings we are dealing with the opposite sex, many of whom aren’t even Muslim. It’s just reality, and we have to face it. I’m so glad Asma brought up this subject because many people are afraid to. I couldn’t agree with her more when she wrote, “If we are a community, let’s be one and sit together.”

Reading Asma’s book has changed my life. It has been a complete learning experience that has helped me determine my stance in society as a Muslim American. Muslim Americans have been through a lot, especially since 9/11, but at the same time American Muslims: The New Generation has proved that “American society will benefit from the added dialogue provided by Muslims.”

Sana Saeed, 17, lives in California and would like to be a journalist.

Editors Note.

We wish Sana all the best in her quest to become a journalist. At this young age of 17 she is already a powerful writer ,knows how to express herself in most positive way and knows how to keep the reader interested in her words.

- Shahid Malik