Fantastic profile of USA culture, especially if you are a Brit. The book gives a journalist account of American society with just the right amount of Fantastic profile of USA culture, especially if you are a Brit. The book gives a journalist account of American society with just the right amount of historical context. But the best bits are reserved for so-called 'special relationship' between US and UK. Jon is not only candid but unreservedly non-partisan when it comes to explaining this relationship in its historical context.
I also understood just how much the American society loves their guns and the love of their Trump.
And I think if the economy improves, Trump will be re-elected as he has completely managed to re-create the outdated concept of democracy....more
Sayeeda is politicain and has produced an autobiographical take on British Muslims. But I do agree with her assessment of the current state of IslamopSayeeda is politicain and has produced an autobiographical take on British Muslims. But I do agree with her assessment of the current state of Islamophobia affecting the government and the people at large. She has very eloquently explained the seven types of rhetoric employed by the British to justify their own islamophobic trend. It's a pretty damning list which would even make me prejudiced even though I am a Muslim......
The seven sins..... Sin number one: there is no problem, Islamophobia doesn’t exist. Sin number two: I don’t hate Muslims. They hate us. Sin number three: ‘I don’t hate Muslims per se, it’s when they follow Islam, a uniquely violent religion, that I object to them.’ Sin number four: I know not all terrorists are Muslims and I know that not all Muslims are terrorists and I know Islam is not uniquely violent, but why is it that Muslims don’t condemn terrorists and say ‘not in my name’? Sin number five: if ‘the Muslims’ do not condemn the terrorists, then ‘the Muslims’ condone terrorists. Sin number six:is one based on the policy of controlled immigration, keeping Muslims out not out of the country but making sure they don't progress to important positions in the government. The Seventh sin: We judge ‘the Muslims’ by a higher standard than we would other fellow Brits.
Apart from a few chapters on Islamophobia the rest of the chapters are pretty ordinary. Sayeeda is unable to produce any effective suggestions to bring the Muslims in line with the British culture. And I suspect that this is the main reason why she lost favour with her Tory party as she was unable to bridge the gap choosing instead to rely on ineffective vanilla Muslim organizations. ...more
A very frustrating yet satisfying read. As soon as I got excited thinking that now maybe now I had understood the nature of morality, the author prompA very frustrating yet satisfying read. As soon as I got excited thinking that now maybe now I had understood the nature of morality, the author promptly presented caveats in the definition, leaving me high and dry. The definition for morality it seems is pretty much work in progress and it seems it is destined to remain so, with so many great minds failing to nail it across thousands of years.
Kenan does do a very commendable job explaining the difficult philosophical concepts with stories and analogies which made the book very readable indeed. Not only is this book a great read for any student of philosophy but also for all fans of the subject.
3.5 stars for me. The book reads like a diary, albeit a very interesting one of a small Pakistani boy raised in London in the 70's. His family is not 3.5 stars for me. The book reads like a diary, albeit a very interesting one of a small Pakistani boy raised in London in the 70's. His family is not ultra conservative so the Imran is able to engage somewhat with his white working class environment. Imran is infatuated by cars, beautiful women and religion. The book oscillates around these three themes as the reader is taken through some very entertaining and page turning events through school and university. I enjoyed the author frank admissions about his religious doubts between Christianity and Islam. But the bit I didn't get was the link between the name of the book and the story inside. Was the author incredulous about his own success in racist Britain? He seemed to have made all the right choices though, as the only sure way to insulate against racism is to get high degrees and corporate jobs. Racism tends to decrease in white collar and corporate jobs. All in all the book is a very interesting read for someone trying to understand what life was like for immigrant Pakistani/Indian kids in UK in the 70's....more
The story appeared interesting and I guess because it is supposed to be a true story there weren't a lot of twists. But I did find it strange when theThe story appeared interesting and I guess because it is supposed to be a true story there weren't a lot of twists. But I did find it strange when the Pushtun women in the book are depicted as wearing sari's over an over again. Being a Pakistani and having lived in closed proximity of Pushtuns, I have yet to see any of their women wearing a sari. The other aspect which troubled me reading this rather sad account was the chosen name of the book as the 'Orphan of Islam'. Granted a number of Muslims were instrumental in the authors 'kidnapping' and forced incarceration in Pakistan but some of the very same Muslims helped him break free from his captivity as well. More so, the author has given his father most of the blame while his Western English mother and his much loved British country were given hardly any stick for completely forgetting and ignoring his sorry plight even when the author was living amongst the British in Britain. As far as I can make out the British people in his life and British system are equally to blame for letting him become a victim, but I guess the publishers of the book would want to appeal to all Islamophobic readers which are numerous.
I would have wanted some more insight into the traditional Pushtun family structure though it is a much guarded fellowship even for more urban Pakistanis like me. The story lacked details of complexities of the Pushtun family and only touched on some of its intrigues.
On the whole, I do feel indebted to the author for at least penning down his story as it does shed some light on a much guarded and secret area. ...more
In Gabriel's dad, Hanif creates a character which has to be loved by every kid. Popular, charismatic, icononic, rebel, and most of all someone who hasIn Gabriel's dad, Hanif creates a character which has to be loved by every kid. Popular, charismatic, icononic, rebel, and most of all someone who has seems to have a lot more time than others. In short, Gabriel's dad is a classic nurturer and a groomer. Someone who should be present as one of the many role models in every kids life. Someone who is courageous enough to go against the grain, and at the same time deflecting the resulting opprobrium with the ease of a sage.
And in Gabriel's mother he creates a figure which every kid deserves as well. Hardworking, resolute, fighter, realist and someone with the most natural and perennial fear for the future. I guess the only major incompatibility between his parents was their approach to future. Dad could not see it and mom saw it all the times as a huge monster. I personally feel that an ideal personality should have a realistic fear of the future, not deny or completely embrace it.
Trouble is the novel has no story at all. It doesn't go anywhere, no it does, in circles, over and over again. The characters were too steeped in the art world for me to relate therefore I gave up near the end for I knew the end. It's a relatively poor effort from Hanif....more
Every diaspora needs one Jhumpa Lahiri of their own or accept me into the Bengali race. Jhumpa is undoubtedly the best writer to have very vividly capEvery diaspora needs one Jhumpa Lahiri of their own or accept me into the Bengali race. Jhumpa is undoubtedly the best writer to have very vividly captured the lives of immigrants over first and second generations in the USA. Her prose is subtle and very absorbing, it is a great skill to keep the reader entertained with no real drama in most of her stories. A must read for all immigrants of the Indian origin....more
Very well written book indeed. Ed has done a very good job in sticking to the plot, as he goes through his very interesting journey across the BritishVery well written book indeed. Ed has done a very good job in sticking to the plot, as he goes through his very interesting journey across the British Islamic scene, in an Islamic lite version. I must admit, so much focus on Islam in Britain has always been a mystery for a first generation immigrant like me coming from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. His learning of Islamic values was largely done by different types of schools or rather organisations prevalent in the British culture which I enjoyed thoroughly as the narrative style was almost infantile, absolutely right for any non-Muslim audience as well as ignorant Pakistani Muslims like me.
There are inconsistencies though, as Ed has remained pretty divisive throughout the book, first against the West, than after his conversion to 'moderate' version of Islam towards Islamic countries. He has also quoted parallels citing prophetic events from the life of Prophet Mohammad. Trouble is that he has failed to answer why Islamic fundamentalism is still so powerful in the Islamic countries? I think clues are found when we consider prophetic events cited by extremist groups like the Taliban, who for instance, are drawing analogies for every action with the Prophetic Sunnah (life history) and his companions (Salaf). For example they claim cutting necks of their enemies as fair game as the companions did with swords
1400 years ago! So for me the central question is how to change the interpretation of Islam, especially in a Muslim majority culture because without changing these outdated interpretation there seems to be little hope of Muslim delivery.
Ed's opinion on the Syrian culture also seems far from true, as he considered almost all Syrians very fond of Asad, fondness which at least now seems pretty allusive with the Syrian revolution in full swing. Again Ed's conclusions are not very insightful as he chooses to portray a Syria which seems pretty far fetched at this moment but still very palatable in his lite style.
I would rate this book much better than Maajid Nawaz's attempt of self-glorification in his very similar book called Radical. Ed in contrast has done justice to his transition from radicalism to moderation, complimenting his wife and love as the chief reasons which is very believable.
Ed has all the making of a great scholar one day, as he continues on his academic and physical journeys through life, as long as he somehow gets rid of his divisive style first....more
I found it to be a brilliant story, a unique insight into the British Pakistani culture of today. The characters were almost real like especially the I found it to be a brilliant story, a unique insight into the British Pakistani culture of today. The characters were almost real like especially the ones representing British Pakistanis. There was a bit too much reference to the Holy Book for a Pakistani (from Pakistan) but I guess that is what most British Pakistanis must feel like. I loved the various one liners in the novel including the sad ending which was pretty apt. I predict one day this novel will be adopted as a movie or a TV drama simply because there are so few narratives on this subject out there. Who are you, are you a Muslim? No, I am not a Muslim, I am a Pakistani. Get the message my Pakistani brothers and sisters? ...more
I don't know whether to call this very autobiographical account of an ex-Islamist and very eloquent Maajid Nawaz inspirational or megalomaniac. I thorI don't know whether to call this very autobiographical account of an ex-Islamist and very eloquent Maajid Nawaz inspirational or megalomaniac. I thoroughly enjoyed the Essex racist scene and his descriptions of his time in Pakistan and Egypt. He has also very eloquently explained the difference between Islamism and Jihadism which I don't really see as much relevant to the whole debate. The book is filled with self glorifying stories plucked from Maajid's personal life whether he was in the Egyptian jail or in front of David Cameroon where Maajid was always important. Typical self righteous approach displayed by most second generation Pakistanis. I wish they could pick some of the humility of the British culture as well. Anyway, Maajid has given me the impression of changing ideologies from a very extremist Islamic view to a very extremist Islamophobic view. Although he has claimed that the change was gradual but I believe that Maajid flipped to the other extreme because the Islamists ditched him in his hour of need.
I would have been more comfortable reading his account if he had turned into a full fledge skeptic. His conversion from being a Hizb Tahir to anti HT wasn't very convincing as well. Why he choose to reject on multiple occasions in his life, gestures from other Muslims is a bit beyond me as my own experience of living in UK has been pretty humanistic in general. How a well educated otherwise eloquent Maajid failure to grasp basic human to human contact confirms his megalomaniac tendency. I think sooner or later he will end up joining politics....more
What a story. Difficult to extricate if you are a desi in Inglistan. don't believe me? Check this out. 'In the suburbs people rarely dreamed of striki What a story. Difficult to extricate if you are a desi in Inglistan. don't believe me? Check this out. 'In the suburbs people rarely dreamed of striking out for happiness. It was all familiarity and endurance: security and safety were the reward of dullness.' Huh, what do you think? Want more, here is a bit of a dialogue between an old immigrant (Anwer, owner of grocery store) and his freshly imported son in law (Changez) from India, specially brought in as extra help with the shop. Anwer had reclaimed Changez and was patiently explaining to him about the shop, the wholesaler and financial situation. Changez stood there looking out of the window and scratching his arse, completely ignoring his father in law, who had no choice but to carry on with his explanation. As Anwer was talking Changez turned to him and said, 'I thought that it would much more freezing in England than this?' Anwer was bewildered, irritated by his non sequitur. 'But I was speaking about the price of vegetables,' said Aner. 'What for?' asked Chagez in bewilderment. 'I am mailny a meat-eater.'
The book is filled with many tensions in the immigrant community of Asians in England. Between themselves, the Whites, and fresh arrivals like Changez. ...more
Extremely funny and striking book on British Muslims. The author talks about his own experiences of life in UK and other Muslim countries. Though you Extremely funny and striking book on British Muslims. The author talks about his own experiences of life in UK and other Muslim countries. Though you have to be careful when considering the definition proffered by the author of a 'sceptical Muslim' as it is contradictory I think. For how can you be sceptical and a Muslim at the same time?...more
Excellent book if you want to find out about the Mirpur and Potohari culture which forms the second largest slot in the UK. Must read for all second gExcellent book if you want to find out about the Mirpur and Potohari culture which forms the second largest slot in the UK. Must read for all second generation UK Pakistanis, at the least....more