Having seen ABCD (American Born Confused Desi) it was very tempting to get to know the underlying reasons behind it and exploring this issue from a different perspective

The film itself touches a little on the Muslims in America but it lacks true knowledge to portray a real picture of what is going on in the American Society these days and there is a real change-taking place in the American Society for the better.

Growing numbers and influence of Islam in the USA has become a serious topic of discussion in all arenas and there is a distinct lack of information knowledge and understanding even in well-educated circles.

Asma Gull Hassan is one of a very few young female Muslim writers in the USA who has bravely attempted to provide a fairly comprehensive guide with in-depth knowledge but in a way which is attractive and beneficial to all levels of readers.

I remember when the news broke of Oklahoma bombing my first thoughts were that it will be blamed on Muslims and I could sense the backlash against Muslims and I knew the American media would present a distorted picture and that was exactly what happened.

The coverage given to this horrific crime was totally biased against Muslims without a shred of evidence it was blamed on Muslim and even when the real criminal was caught no news organisation apologised to the Muslim world for pre judging the bombing and blaming it on Muslims.

Asma Gull Hasan, s book "American Muslims" the new generation" could not have come out at a better time there was a definite thirst for further information from a positive source and who could be more positive than Asma Gull Hasan who claims to be the "Muslim feminist cowgirl"

Asma is an American born Desi but definitely not confused I first saw Asma being interviewed on CNN about her book and in those few minutes she presented a very impressive picture of American Muslims and I felt very proud and easily identified with her she also spoke of her roots from Pakistan and I was even more pleased and felt I could hold my head high that she has roots in my home country.

I started my search in Ernest to find the book and to read it from cover to cover it was very unusual for me to feels so excited about a book and wanting to read it from cover to cover, last time I felt excited about a book was when I was presented a copy of Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet" by a very special friend.

Asma, s book was not available in UK and my searches revealed that I could only get it from USA so I calmed my self down and decided to wait until I visited New York again.As the luck would have it I met Mr and Mrs Kasuri who were visiting London from Lahore (Beacon house school fame) and was delighted to have had the pleasure of meeting such wonderful people and during conversation it transpired that they were on their way to meet Asma Gull Hasan's family in Colorado.

And on their return journey through London Mrs Kasuri very kindly presented me a copy of Asma's book.

I eventually got down to reading it and at first I thought that this was a very simplistic view of Islam but the brilliance of book only revealed itself once I read further along and realised that Asma has very cleverly taken the reader by hand slowly but surely to the depths of knowledge even I being a Muslim was not aware of.
The book deals with all issues of American Muslim from whichever background they come from and offers a view without fear or favour.

At one stage Asma criticises "Nation of Islam" this is normally not a done thing but Asma beautifully brings them under the wing and turns their negative situation at times to a most positive one.
" American Muslims" presents a true picture of Islam in more than one ways relating the true values of Islam fused with the American values of hard work, commitment, honesty, family ways and equal opportunities and claiming the values upheld by American Society as true Islamic Values.

Asma presented a very moderate view of Islam, which really is true Islam, but this projection of Islam has been hijacked in various countries by the extremists Mullahs hence giving Islam a negative projection. The book effectively deals with shortcomings, bias and lack of knowledge shown by the main stream American and European media

A particularly interesting parallel is drawn by "American Muslims" on the issue of "Hijab"and the presentation skills of the writer come to fore here by keeping a healthy balance between tradition and religion.
And I quote Asma's stand on Hijab"I have a few problems with seeing Hijab as a Qur'anic requirement, the main one being that, if the above interpretations are true, men are severely, disproportionately, excluded from the Hijab requirment, particularly in the United States.
The modesty passage is directed to both men and woman, as is the prayer passage. In addition, the modesty passage does not necessarily suggest covering one'head. It actually specifies arms and chest. Furthermore, if everything we do is an expression of prayer, men as well as women should be required to wear Hijab, as there is no exception in the Qur'an. (It does not say only "only womens'actions count as prayer.") Unquote

This is a book which I would recommend as a "must read" not only by non-Muslims but also by all Muslims young and old to acquire a true picture of Islam and I find "American Muslims" to be a very positive and welcome addition in an area where clearly we need to do a lot more to make our peers understand the message of love and peace which Islam offers to all humanity.
"American Muslims" The New Generation" does also indicate what sort of contribution young Muslims are likely to make to the future of USA.

To learn more about the author and how to buy the book
Please visit www.asmahasan.com