When Islam Is Not a Religion

May 27, 2019
Religious liberties attorney Uddin pushes back forcefully on anti-Muslim sentiment in this reasoned, approachable book. Drawing from personal experience and reported incidents of discrimination, harassment, and violence against Muslims, Uddin sheds light on systematic patterns of bias against Muslims. She advocates for a constitutionally grounded approach to religious freedom as the primary civil right, arguing that the degradation of religious freedoms for Muslims strikes against the foundations of democracy. She starts with a masterful takedown of the claim from anti-Islam fearmongers that Islam is not a religion, and cites atheists Sam Harris and Bill Maher as key progressive figures espousing that Islam is “not a religion of peace.” Uddin provides an analysis of how contemporary American Muslim women face extra social consequences, particularly when trying to publicly practice their religion, and reviews prominent Supreme Court cases dealing with freedom of religion. Uddin’s thorough research, formidable intelligence, and eloquent prose are evident throughout, and she persuasively dismantles misconceptions about American Muslims, such as that they are more likely to become radicalized due to their religion. Her cogent arguments will be appreciated by readers willing to listen, as the work provides an accessible introduction to key Islamic concepts alongside a clarion call for the protection of everyone’s religious rights. Readers interested in the current political struggles of Muslim Americans or the legal issues surrounding religious liberties will find much to ponder in Uddin’s excellent work.

June 1, 2019
A reasoned yet impassioned argument for religious liberty for all. Religious liberty attorney Uddin works from the concern that many Americans do not consider Islam to be a religion worthy of normal liberties or, worse, not a religion at all but an ideology or radical movement. Her overarching argument is that in treating Islam differently from other religions, the courts endanger religious rights for all Americans. While acknowledging that radicals in other nations have adversely affected the opinions of many Americans against Muslims, the author counters with various statistics that most American Muslims are not only law-abiding citizens, but also patriotic and increasingly progressive in their worldviews. Despite this, they continue to be targets of bullying, hostility, and organized opposition. From slurs and attacks on the street to broad-based movements to stop the construction of mosques and other Islamic centers, Muslims, and their liberties, are at constant risk. In dedicated chapters, Uddin tackles such particular issues as Sharia and the use of hijab, and she decries anti-Sharia legislation as adding "no value" to the legal system because they misinterpret Sharia. "Even in states where Muslims want a sharia-based legal code," writes the author, "what they are asking for is not beheadings and amputations, but justice and fairness." Similarly, she defends the hijab as a form of self-expression and not a symbol of oppression against women. Throughout, Uddin points to political conservatives as the enemies of American Islam and, unwittingly, as the potential undoing of all religious liberties. Nevertheless, she does not spare from criticism progressive voices who, while defending Muslims, actually hope to reform and Westernize the religion and see it as peopled by "good" or "bad" Muslims. The author laces her work with personal stories of growing up and living as a Muslim in America, explaining it as a source of empowerment despite the prevalence of bigotry and suspicion from fellow citizens. An intriguing and heartfelt read.

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Starred review from July 1, 2019

Religious liberty lawyer Uddin (New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek) presents a brilliantly paced and rigorously detailed first book arguing for equal rights for Muslims in the United States. This is a much-needed consideration of Islam in America, specifically with regard to the current moment of travel bans, populist nationalism, and the loss of civil rights for those who seek to practice their religious beliefs. Uddin underscores the tragic, undemocratic present moment, while unpacking the key legal cases, such as the construction of a new mosque in Murfreesboro, TN, that characterize the misperceptions and suspicion of Islam in this country. VERDICT This book will resonate with those looking for an accessible exploration of public policy with a sprinkling of legal drama. It will be in demand by those seeking to understand the erosion of religious freedom in America.--Jim Hahn, Univ. Lib., Univ. of Illinois, Urbana

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