War on Error brings together the stories of twelve young people, all vastly different but all American, and all Muslim. Their approaches to religion couldn't be more diverse: from a rapper of Korean and Egyptian descent to a bisexual Sudanese American to a converted white woman from Colorado living in Cairo and wearing the hijab. These individuals, whether they were born to the religion or came to it on their own, have made their own decisions about how observant they'll be, whether or not to fast, how often to pray, and what to wear.

Though each story is unique, each is also seen through the searching eyes of Melody Moezzi, herself an American Muslim of Iranian descent. She finds that the people she interviews are horrified that, in a post-9/11 world, they have seen their religion come to be represented, in the minds of many Americans, by terrorism. These thoughtful and articulate individuals represent the truth about the faith and its adherents who are drawn to the logic, compassion, and tolerance they find in Muslim teachings.

Moezzi, ever comfortable with contradiction and nuance, is a likable narrator whose underlying assumption that "faith is greater than dogma" is strengthened as she learns more about her religion and faces her own biases and blind spots. This fresh new voice, combined with the perceptions and experiences of her fellow American Muslims, make for a read that is both illuminating and enjoyable.

Praise for War on Error

"Engaging and well written."
--Publishers Weekly

"Spirited and smart and full of surprises."
--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Melody Moezzi's book is a compelling exploration of the under-represented lives of American Muslims. Written with warmth and grace, these essays humanize a community that is frequently misunderstood at a time when we can ill afford misunderstanding."
--Ausma Khan, Editor-in-Chief, Muslim Girl Magazine

"I am fascinated by Moezzi's interviews...They will change forever the way most readers understand Islam."
--KLIATT Magazine (starred review)

"These voices should be heard and these stories must be told."
--Suzanne Blum, coauthor of Translating Culture: A Rhetoric for Ethnographic Writing in the Composition Classroom
 

Author Biography Melody Moezzi is a writer, activist, author and attorney. Her first book, War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims, published in the fall of 2007 by the University of Arkansas Press, earned her a Georgia Author of the Year Award. Moezzi has a regular column in Muslim Girl Magazine and has written essays and articles for several other print and online publications, including Parabola, Dissident Voice, American Chronicle, Urban Mozaik, and the Yale Journal for Humanities in Medicine. She has also appeared as a commentator on NPR's All Things Considered. Born in Chicago in 1979, Moezzi grew up mostly in Dayton, Ohio amid a strong and vibrant Iranian-American diaspora. Today, she lives in Atlanta, with her husband, Matthew, and their cats, Olyan and Talula. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Emory University School of Law, as well as the Emory University School of Public Health. www.melodymoezzi.com

... Payvand News - 09/16/08 ...

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