Being Muslim

Being Muslim

Written by: Siddiqui, Haroon
ages 14 and up / grades 9 and up

Being Muslim is written for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It presents a readable explanation of the most complex and emotion-laden issues of our troubled times. The varying branches of Islam are analyzed and their history outlined — but the focus is on the present.

In speaking about and crossing political, cultural and religious divisions, this book offers a unique perspective, forged in Canada, a country where people from everywhere on earth have found a way to live in peace. Terrorism. Wars. Jihad. Hijab. Polygamy. Muhammad's many wives. Muslim prayer. Female circumcision. Honor killings. Sharia. Stoning. Status of Muslim women. All these topics and more are tackled in this fascinating and informative book for young adult readers.

"[The Groundwork Guides] are excellent books, mandatory for school libraries and the increasing body of young people prepared to take ownership of the situations and problems previous generations have left them." — Globe and Mail

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2

Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3

Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6

Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.

Being Muslim is written for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It presents a readable explanation of the most complex and emotion-laden issues of our troubled times. The varying branches of Islam are analyzed and their history outlined — but the focus is on the present.

In speaking about and crossing political, cultural and religious divisions, this book offers a unique perspective, forged in Canada, a country where people from everywhere on earth have found a way to live in peace. Terrorism. Wars. Jihad. Hijab. Polygamy. Muhammad's many wives. Muslim prayer. Female circumcision. Honor killings. Sharia. Stoning. Status of Muslim women. All these topics and more are tackled in this fascinating and informative book for young adult readers.

"[The Groundwork Guides] are excellent books, mandatory for school libraries and the increasing body of young people prepared to take ownership of the situations and problems previous generations have left them." — Globe and Mail

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2

Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3

Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6

Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Jul 1, 2006
Specifications 160 pages | 5.1 in x 7.1 in
Supporting Resources
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Teacher's Guide
Written By Haroon Siddiqui is one of Canada's most highly regarded editors and past president of PEN Canada. He lives in Toronto.
Written By
Haroon Siddiqui is one of Canada's most highly regarded editors and past president of PEN Canada. He lives in Toronto.
Audience ages 14 and up / grades 9 and up
Reading Levels Lexile 1220L
Key Text Features table of contents; chapters; references; further reading

Commended, CCBC Our Choice, 2007

Commended, IRA Children's Book Award Notables, 2007

Commended, Booklist Top 10 Religion Books for Youth, 2007

Commended, Booklist Top 10 Youth Series - Nonfiction, 2007

“[Siddiqui's] clear, passionate discussion confronts international issues that are in the news now...Excellent for classroom discussion.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“...reading the slim, cleanly crafted volume has the effect of jogging you back into something like lucidity....a book that should find its way into every school library in the country.” —Edmonton Journal

“...this basic knowledge will help non-Islamic readers to make sense of what they see on the news, and to sort out the truth from the propaganda.” —Globe and Mail

“An accessible and timely book.” —Curriculum Connections (SLJ)

“Being Muslim is an excellent overview for students in grade 9 through 12, teachers of World Issues and cross-cultural studies courses, and for high school library collections.” —CM Magazine

“Each of the four well-written and engaging books in this valuable series provides a foundation for understanding an important subject relevant to current world stability and peace.” —Library Media Connection

“Extremely challenging and thought-provoking, this book would be an excellent resource for senior high school students interested in politics and debate.” —Resource Links

“This balanced, concise book is an excellent resource for social studies or debate class...The author's tone is conversational and engaging, and frequent breaks in the text make this small book very readable.” —School Library Journal

“Being Muslim offers an intense, micro-level commentary on Islam and today's political landscape.” —Saudi Aramco World

“Siddiqui...writes with clarity, wit and balance, though not without moral passion...An excellent place to start thinking about Islam and the Arab world today.” —Christian Century