Looking for book suggestions about Muslim culture

[Pendrench]

Hello -

I posted this in the Muslim/Islam group yesterday, so I hope it's OK to post his here as well.

I was wondering if anyone could suggest books they've read that depict the everyday life of Muslims (culture, families, traditions, foods, etc.). I know that there are many books available dealing with history/politics, but I'm looking more for current biographies and/or autobiographies to get a more personal viewpoint.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

And if this is the wrong forum for this request, please accept my apologies for posting this here.

Thank you -

Tim

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

1. Maybe you could ask at a local mosque?

I realize that much of the country doesn't have a mosque nearby, but if you do, you might find someone there willing to help you.

[Pendrench]

6. Hi TexasMommaWithAHat - thank you!

That is a very good suggestion - I actually work near a university, and I know that they have a Muslim student group there, so I will try asking them.

Thank you, again!

Tim

[ladjf]

2. The koran would be a good start

[Pendrench]

4. Hi ladjf - thank you for your reply

That is definitely on my list

I'm actually looking for depictions of contemporary Muslim life (I should have been more specific in my initial post).

Thank you again for taking time to reply!

Tim

[ladjf]

7. The Koran is a relatively small book.

To me, it seemed like a guide to living an ethical and productive life.

[onager]

3. Here are some I liked.

I'm pretty much a Standard Issue American (and atheist). But I lived in Saudi Arabia for 2 years and Egypt for nearly 4 years.

Khul-Khaal : Five Egyptian Women Tell Their Stories by Nayra Atiya

"Khul-Khaal" are the anklets worn by married women in some Egyptian cultures. Published in 1982, but still an interesting look at the lives of women in both rural and urban Egyptian culture. One of the profiled women is a Coptic Christian, the others are Muslim.

http://www.amazon.com/Khul-Khaal-Egyptian-Stories-Contemporary-Paperback/dp/0815601816

The Yacoubian Building: A Novel by Alaa Al Aswany

It's a novel, but al-Aswany covered a lot of the festering problems in pre-Arab Spring Egypt: the daily humiliation of women, how moderates get turned into Islamic radicals, the constant class issues. Even the treatment of gays, normally a very verboten topic in polite Egyptian society.

He also covers the rank hypocrisy of politicians and religious leaders. When the illegal "second wife" of a politician gets pregnant, he buys a fatwa saying abortion is permitted under certain circumstances. The girlfriend laughs bitterly and says, "That must have been an American imam."

http://www.amazon.com/Yacoubian-Building-Alaa-Al-Aswany/dp/0060878134/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1459611954&sr=1-1&keywords=yacoubian+building

Here are a couple of good movies on everyday life in Muslim culture:

"Wadjda" - filmed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by a woman director. Amazing, since Saudi Arabia literally has no movie theaters. They violate the strict Wahhabi ban on "graven images." And women and men are strictly forbidden to work together in that country. The story of a 10-yr-old girl who wants a bicycle. Which is sort of like saying "Moby Dick" is the story of a big fish.

"Cairo 678" - 3 Egyptian women from widely different backgrounds battle the daily grind of being groped, insulted, etc. Based on a true story - the first case of sexual harassment ever allowed in Egyptian courts.

[Pendrench]

5. Hi onager - this is great!

Thank you very much for your suggestions - I greatly appreciate your response, and will be sure to check out the books (and the movies!)

Tim