Threading My Prayer Rug

I wish Sabeeha Rehman was my friend. She seems like such a wonderful, inspiring woman, who never takes no for an answer and never fails to challenge the status quo, either in the society or in her own understanding of the world. This will to change, to evolve, and cause ripples around her, are essential parts of a feminist icon, and I'm very happy to have learned of one who lives in New York and is like me a foreigner from a different culture. It was also priceless to put a face to a powerhouse of revisionist Islam. And I think what I admire most in the way Sabeeha sees the world is the way that she can always spot the gray areas, both in her own conduct, in her religion, or the world overall, and she calls them out for what they are. And when she doesn't, well, I'm pretty sure she will one day :)My only problem with the book was that Sabeeha doesn't ever acknowledge the class component of the Islamic society at large and in Pakistan in particular, which in my opinion is a huge deal. Sabeeha and most people in the narrative are people who come from privilege. While it still renders them foreigners and migrants in the American context, they are nonetheless more open to change, evolution and assimilation than those who have less means to pursue education or repatriation. But I was peeved when Sabeeha completely glossed over the existence of domestic help or poverty in her homeland. What is Islam in Pakistan through the eyes of the family's servants? How does Sabeeha's view of them change as she continues living in the US? And what happens when her parents die, do the servants go back to the slums, or do they have families? How does Islam play into this sort of existence? I mean, yes, ok, I understand that Sabeeha's memoir can not account for all sorts of experiences in Pakistan and/or Islam, and it's a memoir, not a critical theory piece. But the way she circles these things, creates holes in her narrative, and the picture of middle class Islam that Sabeeha herself represents, while idyllic and evolved, starts to seem purposefully crafted.By no means am I implying that radicalization only happens within lower classes. No, it seems that the major players in terrorist organizations are usually people from privileged backgrounds, just like Sabeeha, but less kind and well meaning, empathic. But the cannon fodder is often the underprivileged, and we can't have an inclusive talk about the future of Islam in the world without talking about them.That said, I also understand that this book is more about being a muslim woman in the pre- and post-9/11 East Coast, and Sabeeha is the finest example of courage and compassion in those unfortunate circumstances.

Humorous, funny but sweet and true: Sabeeha tells her story as she traces her journey from a young bride to a mother, to an immigrant trying to make America home, to a community leader, a professional an activist, an interfaith leader and much more.The book will resonate and enthral if you are:From Pakistan or the Indian subcontinent : It will bring back sweet memoriesAn immigrant: You will relive your experienceA woman: You will remember the challengesA Muslim: You will relate to the various faces and shapes of IslamAn Interfaith advocate: you will use it to promote your workA feminist: This is your storyA non Muslim: This is an example of the American Muslim identityA Parent in diaspora: perhaps one of the roads to walk on as you raise childrenA Young Pakistani American: A story of the struggles of your parentsAn immigrant Muslim family: Your story as you built a Muslim community here in AmericaThe Face of a Moderate American Muslim.Take this incredible journey with her. Once started, you will not put it down till the journey is over and all the threads have been woven in her prayers rug.

I bought this book because I loved the title but as I read it, I became disallusioned as I felt the author left her original intent to explain why the choice to build a mosque at the 9/11 site was misrepresented and went off on her personal issues which were not interesting to me.

Sabeeha Rehman’s book “Threading My Prayer Rug “ I received my copy and I was curious to know about her journey. As an immigrant we all have an experience of coming to America from somewhere on the globe with our culture and local traditions and then we all are somehow shaped up to become American. That’s the beauty of American culture that it absorbs you and molds you in such a way that you keep your cultural diversity with all American values of liberty justice and equality. It is struggle and it is test of your ability to deal and succeed in your professional life and cultural diversity. I am amazed how Ms Rehman was able to narrate her journey with such an eloquence that the stories have not lost a bit of its flavor. . We immigrants from similar back ground can really relate to it. Beauty of the book is that she was able to narrate her story in such a beautiful way to make it easy for readers to understand describing events in cleverly simple way with engaging and charming style of writing that a person who has no background of that culture can enjoy the story with benefits learning something new . She really was able to redesign and re-thread her rug in to red white and blue . It’s a delightful read of Journey of integration, assimilation of cultures faith and aspirations along with dreams to arrive at a destination called American and Sabeeha Rehman exactly knew how to connect with readers and keeps them engaged on this incredible journey

Rehman did a good job revealing her struggle to maintain her sense of self, family, culture, religion while acquiring an American way of life. She tells of support from the Jewish community and Muslims from countries other than Pakistan. Her intellectual seeking to understand Islam as a religion vs. a cultural interpretation is enlightening--she came to that as a parent wanting to guide her sons since her family in Pakistan had been more secular. All in all I gained a greater appreciation of Islam and its practice in America. I admired Rehman's intellectual and multi-cultural growth throughout her adulthood. I also think she had an amazing partner in her arranged marriage husband.

Love love love it. An absolutely brilliant read. Superbly written, Sabeeha Rahmen gives an interesting, entertaining and thoughtful insight into her life as a Pakistani American. I learnt lots from this book. Would definitely recommend- it's a great length so you're getting your money's worth! Gripped me from the start. Sabeeha reflects on current issues in a reflective way and I would class this as an inspirational book. 10/10.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not just because it was an excellent read, but because it provided me with some realistic well balanced information, which was exactly why I wanted to read it. If you are interested in finding out what The Muslim faith is really about, instead of relying on often biased and inflamatory remarks produced by the media, then you will find this book to be a worthwhile read.

This book is extremely well written and gripped me from the start. I admire the author’s determination and forcefulness of character. She has achieved more and helped more people than most of us do in a lifetime.

Helps one understand the true religious teachings

Gave me a very good insight into the culture of other people. A culture with very close family ties & I think the western world is a worse place for not having such close ties. A very intelligent & industrious person Bia and so well written that I couldn’t put it down. Thank you

Threading My Prayer Rug was very enlightening as I learned about the Muslum religion. Sabeeha Rehman handled her challenge as a new citizen in New York with determination to make a positive difference for herself, her husband and her family and also others new to the country. I admired how supportive her parents and siblings were. Midway through the book I found some of the information too statistical but I was glad I persevered and read through to the end.

This was such a touching and informative story. The insights into Bea's childhood in Packistan were fascinating and her adjustments to New York related with humor amidst her trials. All non-Muslims need to remember that tolerance can only be amplified when we are better informed. And this source is fun to read. Thank you Mrs. REHMAN (or should that be Ms.)

This book is well written and gives an excellent view of life lived between two cultures and how culture and religion change over time/ context and between generations. The author has a gentle sense of humour and an optimistic outlook that is hard to resist!

I loved this book and would recommend it to everyone who is interested in learning what Islam is really about. It opened my eyes and my heart to the struggles they deal with integrating into a new country and culture, and the bias they encounter when terrorism strikes.

Truly enjoyed reading this book.

Loved it. I learnt a lot about the Islamic faith I didn’t already know. An interesting and eye-opening read for everyone.

Most informative. Honest and clarifying. One woman's journey through life as a Muslim in a changing society full of the challenges of today.

Great read