Jihad of the Soul: Singlehood and the Search for Love in Muslim America by Zarinah El-Amin Naeem

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Description

Most Muslims want to get married.  Unfortunately, many of them find the road to marriage filled with unnecessary delays, social stigma and spiritual pain.  But why? And how do young single American Muslims balance their faith with western culture?

The first book of its kind, Jihad of the Soul: Singlehood and the Search for Love in Muslim America (208pp. $19.95), by Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, blends first-hand accounts of the attitudes, experiences, and emotions of single Muslim adults with an anthropological exploration on issues of identity, religion and desire into an intimate look at young Muslim singles’ navigation of love and faith. 

Short Author Bio (65 Words) 

Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, M.A. uses public anthropology to reveal and address contemporary issues facing Muslims in the west.  She is an active member of the American Muslim community and the founder and chief spiritual officer of The Niyah Company, a publishing and creative living company (www.niyah.net).  Zarinah serves as the Community Program Officer for Western Michigan University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

Full Bio (136 words)

Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, M.A. uses public anthropology to reveal and address contemporary issues facing Muslims in the west.   She received her Masters in Anthropology from Western Michigan University where she conducted research on single Muslims.  Her debut book, Jihad of the Soul: Singlehood and the Search for Love in Muslim America has garnered rave reviews and been described as a "bold", "brave", and "insightful."  As an active member of the American Muslim communtiy for over 20 years, Zarinah's personal insights and experiences make for a deep and rich look into the lives of American Muslims.  In addition, Zarinah is the founder and chief spiritual officer of The Niyah Company, a publishing and creative living company (www.niyah.net).  Zarinah also serves as the Community Program Officer for Western Michigan University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Author Portraits

Testimonials and Praise for Jihad of the Soul

“Taking us deep into the thoughts and lives of young Muslim Americans, Zarinah El-Amin Naeem weaves together a powerful, refreshing, and intimate narrative, in their words, about the challenges they face in understanding their own souls, and in searching for their soul mate. The reader is bound to appreciate the gap that the book fills by way of redirecting our attention away from the current ill-conceived and socio-political driven scrutiny of Muslim youth towards a more humane, and human-centered examination of the youth as being unique, and special as they come of age in post 9-11 America.”– Altaf Husain, Ph.D. Howard University

“Reading this book was like talking to my daughter about everything she doesn’t want to say.” – Muhammad R. from New York

"A landmark publication which discusses in a scholarly manner, contemporary challenges that single American Muslims face in regards to marriage. Definitely an eye opener for those who seek to promote healthy marriages within the American Muslim community."  

– Dawud Walid, Executive Director of Council on American Islamic Relations- Michigan

“A lively and succinct research study that reads like a self-help book. Zarinah El-Amin Naeem’s own experiences as an American Muslim woman make for a compassionate, thoughtful, and useful study of the experiences and perspectives of Muslim singles seeking morally workable Islamic alternatives to mainstream American dating.” 

-Kristina Wirtz, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Western Michigan University

"A wonderful and creative book that provides an opportunity for single American Muslims to share their stories regarding the challenges of developing a self-identity, finding a compatible mate, and maintaining a healthy relationship in a non-Muslim society."

 – Azizah Kahera, Azizah Magazine

“Very interesting, insightful, easy-to-read and enlightening”

- Sia Safiyah Muhammad, Muslim Journal

“A bold look at a number of taboo subjects; cross-cultural/cross-racial romance, sex, religious/gender performance pressures, discomfort with Muslims of the opposite sex, etc....  El-Amin Naeem's book is original, highly engaging and extremely valuable.  Before we can get a theoretical handle on what is going on in this very diverse community, we are going to need more ethnographies like Jihad of the Soul." 

– Dr. Carolyn Rouse, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Princeton University

 “Jihad of the Soul should be required reading for lay and religious leaders of Muslim American communities. Zarinah El-Amin Naeem has provided a groundbreaking, insightful, and provocative look at the situation of singles in this ethnically diverse, fast growing population. If Muslims in the U.S. are serious about building strong communities, they must give this group special care and attention. This book provides a useful point of departure to begin the larger conversation.”

- Dr. Jimmy E. Jones, Associate Professor of World Religions and African Studies – Manhattanville College (Purchase NY);  President of Masjid Al-Islam (New Haven CT); and member of the Muslim Alliance of North America’s (MANA) national Healthy Marriage Initiative advisory board.

Interview with the Author  

Why did you write Jihad of the Soul? 

Zarinah: Jihad of the Soul is based on my Masters in Anthropology thesis for Western Michigan University. I didn't go into my research expecting to write a book but my interviewees often had as many questions for me as I had for them. Plus, whenever I mentioned my research, people would say “I can’t wait to hear about your findings.” After many inquires, I decided the easiest way to make the information available would be to publish this book.  And I'm so thankful that I did!

How did you choose the title? 

Zarinah: The original title of this study was Single Muslim Young Adults: Negotiating Identity, Religion and Desire. During a conversation with my husband, we joked that singlehood can really be an inner struggle - hence Jihad of the Soul. My husband shouted it out and it just stuck. It's also important for Muslims to redefine the definition of "Jihad."  The current political climate and "war on terror" has hijacked one of the most human terms known to man. That is that each of us deals with daily inner struggles that we strive to overcome.  And that in fact, as humans, this is our biggest challenge in life.  That's the greatest meaning of Jihad.  Not Al Qaeda.  

What did you leave out of the book? What didn’t make the cut? 

Zarinah: I was forced to exclude a lot of material from this first edition; that was the hardest part about writing the book. If I'd included everything I wanted to say, it would have easily ended up at 400 pages. To narrow it down, I decided to focus on the challenges single Muslims face. Naturally there are many Muslims without problems, and who are comfortable in their singlehood. Still, I decided that my book would be of most benefit if I worked to ease the path for the majority of single Muslims who do indeed feel tension within their single lives. There are several topics I would like to address later including sexual abuse (rape, incest, etc) and its affects on Muslim marriage; homosexuality, the issue of marital endogamy and Imams' responses to the issues raised.

What has been the response of the Muslim community to the book? 

Zarinah: Releasing Jihad of the Soul and hearing the response has been beautiful. I believe the Muslim Community is now ready to make some serious changes and so the information has been well received.  The readers have been moved and hundreds of people have been motivated to do a little more in their community surrounding the issue of unwanted singlehood. That being said, there will always be a few strong critics and I'm not without them.  Still, you can't have a dialogue with all people of the same mind.  It's important to hear those whose views are different than mine and learn from them. 

How is the Muslim community utilizing the book?

Zarinah: One reader told a friend of mine that reading Jihad of the Soul was like talking to her daughter about everything she didn't want to say.  I was so humbled by the fact that she received benefit. This book is meant to spark conversation, to make discussions around "taboo" issues a little easier.  Imams and religious leaders read the book in order to know more about their congregation members and to discover ways they can be of better service to them. 

Do book clubs read it together?

Zarinah: I'm not sure but I have received bulk orders so I assume so. Jihad of the Soul includes reflection questions throughout the book both for individual readers to reflect as well as book clubs.  The book is easily accessible in that way. 

Jihad of the Soul has been used as a teaching tool in college courses. Why do you think it's useful in that way? 

Zarinah: Jihad of the Soul is a unique book in many ways one of which is that it is an ethnography by a Muslim American woman on Muslims.  There are not many of those around.  Plus, the subject matter is one that is not usually addressed from this perspective.  The book is also useful for students to be inspired to do more with their research.  Most theses and dissertations end up on shelves and are not always read. Students can and should do much more than that.  Jihad of the Soul helps them find ways they can make their research relevant to the communities they work with.  

You call this public anthropology.  What is that?

Zarinah: One of the challenges facing anthropology as a discipline is to continue to find ways to make itself useful to the greater public. Public anthropology moves anthropology from academia and into the community. I'm not interested in singlehood in Muslim America for the sake of just sharing that info with other scholars. My desire is for my work to always be useful to the community.  Public anthropology focuses on community concerns.  

What has been your greatest satisfaction in writing this book?

Zarinah: I thank God because I'm one of those people blessed with vision and the drive to make my dreams come true.  So when I received the first printed book I almost cried, it was so fulfilling to see the fruit of over a year of my life. Now, I love receiving the feedback from readers across the country and around the world.  I love to see my work is being read and people like it!

Are these people real? 

Zarinah: Yes, this is a non-fiction book - the stories are real. However, I have changed all identifying information including names, hometowns, and in many cases ethnicity.

Who is the character Ali?

Zarinah: For some reason, many people ask about Ali!  Ali is a man who is coming into his own. He has established a relationship with God and is eager to find a spouse.  I think many people relate to his story because he is so open and honest about his life's lessons.  I hope people don't have to go through what Ali did in order to learn and grow closer to God but that's life.

Singlehood is a sensitive subject, why did people open up to you?

Zarinah: I think people want to be heard.  They want to be understood and they want to know they are human, they are normal.  Talking with me, in a safe manner was therapeutic for many interviewees.  They had a chance to process outloud, some of the things they have been mulling over in their heads for sometime but perhaps afraid to share.   Of course, it didn't hurt that I was going to change their name and identifying information so that it would be completely anonymous!

How do you market?

Zarinah: Our preview edition was released at the Muslim Alliance of North America Conference in Philly.  At that first conference we sold about 97 books, which any author will tell you is awesome! Still, as an unknown author, marketing has been my biggest challenge in reaching larger audiences.   We've sold hundreds of copies of Jihad of the Soul but of course I would like to make that thousands!  I know this information is useful and can help our community look in the mirror a bit deeper than usual. To this end, Niyah Press often runs specials where people can request the E-book version of the book for free.  As long as it's being read I'm happy.

Why did you establish Niyah Press? 

Zarinah: As I mentioned, my primary purpose in publishing the book was to make my findings available to the Muslim community. Establishing my own publishing company to publish Jihad of the Soul was a difficult process but one I felt would provide the most editorial control over my content. The traditional publishing route can take 18 months from submission to print and I did not want to wait that long.  I'm now an author and have many books I would like to get out of my head and into print. Niyah Press is the perfect way to achieve that goal.

What tips do you have for others who want to publish? 

Zarinah: Read! Read everything you can find on publishing, self publishing, marketing. Two great resources are Dan Poynter's Self Publishing Manual and Peter Bowerman's Well-Fed Self-Publisher. The Internet has a lot of resources concerning self-publishing. InshaAllah (God Willing) I will compile a list of resources and make it available on this site one day.  You must also realize that publishing is a business.  You can have the best book but if no one knows about it it won't be of benefit. You have to be willing to market, which often means doing things that are uncomfortable, like talking about yourself a lot!

What's your favorite book?

Zarinah: I'm forever in love with The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo.  It's a brilliant, simple, life altering book that forces you to really look at your life, your intentions and your soul.  I read it every couple of years!  I also like the Celestine Prophecy, the Kite Runner, and Purification of the Heart translated by Hamza Yusuf.

What are you working on?  What are your new projects?

Zarinah: Right now I'm focused on marketing Jihad of the Soul.  I also have a strong interest in adornment and headwrapping in particular.   After being called the Headwrap Queen for the past 15 years, I've decided to write a how-to book.  Look out for Beautifully Wrapped: The Art and Culture of Headwrapping in Summer 2010.   It's part ethnography, part cultural history and all technique!  We've had two photoshoots and everyone is really excited about it.  Look out for www.beautifully-wrapped.com in February 2010.

To arrange an interview with Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, please email zarinah@niyah.net or call 313-377-2857.      

Information on Niyah Press can be found at www.niyah.net