Letters to a Young Muslim

Praise for Letters to a Young Muslim' "I think that we need to look at Charlie Hebdo, and the Bataclan, and Orlando and ask ourselves if this is not precisely what some of us are taught by our religious leaders." When an Arab diplomat has the courage to raise discussions such as this, we must all pay attention and express admiration. To ask, as Omar Ghobash does, why the Islamic world in his lifetime has been so riven by violence and to say that at least part of the answer lies within Muslim societies is more than an act of bravery. It constitutes a clear step in the direction of a desperately needed social and religious reformation. Every Muslim stands to gain from Ghobash's call for an improved and more individualistic approach to Islam.'-Niall Ferguson, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University'Drawing on his own life experiences, in a series of beautifully written letters to his son, Ghobash addresses some of the most pressing issues about Islam as a faith tradition in a cosmopolitan world. Unsurpassed in its candidness, his is a rare voice among Arab leaders who are confident and ready to tackle major challenges. Refreshing and effortless reading filled with hope.'-Ebrahim Moosa, professor of Islamic studies and co-director of the Contending Modernities program, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame'A timely and incisive book about the hopes and aspirations of Muslims beyond the headlines that have shaped Western attitudes toward Islam. At a time when extremism threatens Islam from within and reaction to it isolates Muslims, this book is a must-read for Muslims and non-Muslims, young and old alike.'-Vali Nasr, dean and professor of international politics, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University'An honest and self-critical guide to the dilemmas facing young Muslims around the world. The book is full of brave questions and wisdom, and perhaps most important, it is a sincere father's heartfelt yearning for his sons' generation to resist the rise of theocratic fascism.' -Ed Husain, author of The Islamist von Ghobash, Omar Saif