Moving the Mountain: Beyond Ground Zero to a New Vision of Islam in America

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Moving the Mountain: Beyond Ground Zero to a New Vision of Islam in America

by Feisal Abdul Rauf (Goodreads Author)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 33 ratings · 14 reviews

Muslims in America who reject extremist or fundamentalist expressions of Islam at home and abroad feel the urgent need for a voice that can represent them in the escalating irrationality of the current debate about Islam, America, and the West. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf—the so-called Ground Zero Imam—has become that voice. Drawing from his personal experiences, Imam Feisal no...more

hardback, 240 pages

Published May 8th 2012 by Simon & Schuster

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Oct 29, 2012 Jud Barry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Last summer I read the Qu'ran for the first time. While reading, I kept having this thought: "Muhammad was asserting radical, universal monotheism as the basic component of religion. He was, essentially, a Unitarian."

Then, just a few days ago, while reading this book by the imam of the famous "Ground Zero mosque"--and already enjoying it and cheering on the author for his championship of religious toleration--I read this (p. 142): "I often ask Christians to consider Muslims as Unitarians with an...more Last summer I read the Qu'ran for the first time. While reading, I kept having this thought: "Muhammad was asserting radical, universal monotheism as the basic component of religion. He was, essentially, a Unitarian."

Then, just a few days ago, while reading this book by the imam of the famous "Ground Zero mosque"--and already enjoying it and cheering on the author for his championship of religious toleration--I read this (p. 142): "I often ask Christians to consider Muslims as Unitarians with an Arabic liturgy." Ka-ching! Ring up five stars for this book! But Rauf's next sentence is in some ways even better--and more revealing of the spirit of the book: "To which I get a roar of laughter."

Of course, Christians in the US are doing much worse than laughing at a common-sense understanding of Islam. I live in the state that is perhaps the poster child of American Islamophobia: Tennessee, where yahoos in Murfreesboro tried to prevent the enlarging of a mosque and where my own state senator denigrates Islam as a "cult."

Karen Anderson, one of the best writers on religion going imho, says on the back of the book that "everybody should read this book," which is usually what I think about a book like this one. In this case, however, I'll scale back the recommendation and just say that "everybody who lives in Tennessee should read this book," or, enlarging the circle somewhat, "every American Christian and Jew should read this book."

The strengths of the book are its emphasis on the importance of Islamic jurisprudence, with its multiplicity of viewpoints, which explodes whatever notion one might have of Islam as an ideological monolith; its explanation of Shariah, a bugaboo for many Americans, so as to show that it is entirely consistent with and even supportive of a modern, multi-faith society; its championship of the progressive role of American Muslim women in advancing the rights of women in more "traditional" Islamic states; and its hopefulness for an equitable solution in Palestine, which would be practicable if we could understand its problems to have more to do with nation-building than with intractable religious differences.

Rauf makes only sparing use of the "Ground Zero mosque" controversy, and it is mostly entirely positive. Despite what must have been great difficulties in an emotional climate, he focuses on the outpouring of support he received from non-Muslims.

This book should help make American Islam mainstream. Heck, according to Rauf, Thanksgiving--that most American of holidays--is perfect for Muslims, even if their pumpkin pie "might be a little spicier." Who knows, it might not be long before Islamic families will join in singing "Deck the halal."

(less)

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Aug 04, 2012 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars

In 200 pages, Rauf makes a persuasive case for the moderate nature of Islam and proposes many ways that people of all faiths - and no faith - can work together in the spirit of tolerance, understanding and the common purposes of peace and justice. The author displays an impressive understanding not just of the Quoran and Hadith, but of the Torah and Christian Gospels too, adding to his credibility and the persuasiveness of his argument.

There are a few points where he gets bogged down in catalogi...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Nora Zaki rated it 5 of 5 stars

As an American Muslim who is often ashamed of other Muslims for their ignorant acts, this book makes me so proud of my faith and especially the important work of interfaith. I participate in an interfaith group in Gainesville, FL, the place where a pastor burned the holy Qur'an. This interfaith group has brought me so much joy and Imam Feisal's own experiences with interfaith remind me of my own. Imam Feisal conveys Islam in the utmost beauty and clarity. He presents Islam as a balance that can...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. Everyone in America should read it. It definitely gives you a great perspective and has some interesting history of the Muslim faith. It also gives you a greater understanding about the Muslim faith and you realize that a lot of things the average person associates as part of the faith tenant are in fact not part of the faith but the culture of the various Muslim countries. He also does a bit of comparing between Muslim, Christian, and Jewish beliefs. So many things he says in...more I loved this book. Everyone in America should read it. It definitely gives you a great perspective and has some interesting history of the Muslim faith. It also gives you a greater understanding about the Muslim faith and you realize that a lot of things the average person associates as part of the faith tenant are in fact not part of the faith but the culture of the various Muslim countries. He also does a bit of comparing between Muslim, Christian, and Jewish beliefs. So many things he says in this book are powerful-- "this book seeks to move a mountain of suspicion, myth, fear, and hatred--and provide a new vision for Islam in America and the world...Moving the Mountain shows how Islam in America...can and will play a vital role in waging the battle against religious and political extremism, the chief threat to American security and world peace today"--and he says that "there is no mountain that faith cannot move."

"Radical ideology, especially when extremists act on that ideology, too often begets an oppositional force that is no less radical." --and then he demonstrates how that fact has played out in the Muslim/America relationship.

Some of my other favorite quotes:

"I almost wish we could use the ancient language and call ourselves 'believers' rather than Muslims. In our zeal to exalt our own religions, we lose sight of what we have in common, which is deeper than any particular manifestation of a religious faith."

"We are not to say to another faith adherent, 'You are beyond the boundary of humanity,' so that we can attack or kill him. Instead the variety in human belief is something we need to protect and embrace. Diversity itself is a matter of divine intent; we are not to scatter and become homogeneous insular communities. On the contrary, we are to make a genuine human community out of our diversity."

"In order to battle extremism, nonviolent moderates of all faiths need concrete projects to work on together, so they can gain the experience of working with each other and discover what they have in common, combine their energies, and create that critical mass of focused spiritual power."

"Moderate Muslims, Jews, Christians, and atheists have far more in common with each other than they do with the extremists of their own faith or persuasion."(less)

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Jul 09, 2012 April rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: diaspora, islam, new-york-city, non-fiction

If you've read this article you've basically read the entire book:
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/09/1521925...

"I believe we are part of a growing global chorus," he says. "And I know for a fact that moderates exist everywhere, in every tradition and in every political environment. There are moderates in Israel. There are moderates in Iran, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party. And what we need to do is link all of these moderates together and figure out a way that this coalition can speak to i...more If you've read this article you've basically read the entire book:
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/09/1521925...

"I believe we are part of a growing global chorus," he says. "And I know for a fact that moderates exist everywhere, in every tradition and in every political environment. There are moderates in Israel. There are moderates in Iran, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party. And what we need to do is link all of these moderates together and figure out a way that this coalition can speak to important issues to marginalize the voice of the extremists."

Good book for those with little to no knowledge of Islam, although obviously it's impossible to really explore the intricacy and subtlety. It was kind of boring to me because a lot of the stuff he wrote about (hot topics like: Christians and Jews, Women and the Qur'an, Shariah/Jihad etc.) I already learned at UW. Thanx, UW.

Also, it's good to keep in mind that Rauf does NOT represent all Muslim Americans. It kind of irked me that he was so accommodating and almost assimilationist about acculturation of Muslims in the U.S. I get that he was emphasizes culture as a living organism and interactionist in nature and syncretism and stuff, but to me sometimes the book just emphasized over and over again that Muslim Americans are NOT a threat to America--to the point of like giving up the Muslim identity (like not wearing the hijab or building mosques in a Western architectural style)...in order to appear innocuous.

That aside, I'm totally on the same page with him regarding the need for interfaith dialogue between moderates of all creeds just to tear down the assumptions and stereotypes and re-humanize the other.

This book is kind of preaching to the choir cuz I bet those who read this already know that Muslims are human with feelings and that they're good people and compassionate and just because there are a few outliers that strap bombs onto themselves doesn't mean we should demean everyone else. I appreciate Rauf as a peacemaker and a devout follower who really just wants to keep pointing people to God.(less)

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Jul 24, 2012 Lorette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Imam Rauf speaks to the need for moderate Muslim voices to be heard, the dangers in religious extremism for all religions, the life and beliefs of American Muslims, and gives a brief synopsis of the Muslim religion, Muslim history, and how closely related Judiasm, Christianity, and Muslim are. "We are more alike than unalike."

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Apr 07, 2012 Sharon Worsnup rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Won a copy through Goodreads' First Reads program.

A courageous story about tolerance in post 9/11 America. The media focus’ on the extremists taints the view of Muslim’s in America, this book is a positive view that needs to be seen!

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May 09, 2012 Nadine marked it as to-read

based on this npr article - looks like a good read.
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/09/1521925...

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May 24, 2012 Carolyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I would recommend this to anyone concerned with extremist Islamists - and who is not? at least in these times in the western world. Iman Rauf provides a clearly written, intelligent history of the Muslim faith. An especially interesting chapter to me, as a woman honestly frightened by what I have understood of Shariah law, is currently titled: Why the United States is Shariah-Compliant.

I read the advanced uncorrected manuscript version of the book. Would be interested in reading it again with a...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Marcella rated it 3 of 5 stars

Book does a good job of explaining different elements of Islam as well as a view for the future. Definitely learned from the book, but felt my interest peaked starting in Chapter 4 as more modern examples were discussed. 200 pages makes this a quick read, but sometimes feels like there are redundancies that can cut this down a bit.

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Mar 06, 2013 Pamela Mattson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well written, sensitive and perceptive look at Islam. Correlations with the Constitution of the United States, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhist teachings show how Islam is not so radical after all. But it is the individual cultures interpretations of Shia which causes the trouble. Not all Islam is alike. Just like all Christians aren't all alike.

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Nov 01, 2012 Mirëdon Fusha rated it 3 of 5 stars

A nice-idea book for anyone who wishes to know better about the real muslims.

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Nov 03, 2012 Valerie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Every American should read this book.

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Oct 12, 2012 Shirin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Easy to read. A rational man who should be heard, especially by those of us professing Islam as our faith.

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Apr 28, 2013 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

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About Feisal Abdul Rauf

Imam Feisal is Chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, an organization that brings together leaders across the Muslim-West divide to speak out for innovative, proactive, and positive solutions to shared challenges. In this capacity, Cordoba Initiative can provide novel solutions to those areas where conflict between Islamic and Western communities undermine local and global security.

In 1997, Imam Feis...more

More about Feisal Abdul Rauf...

Books by Feisal Abdul Rauf

What's Right with Islam Is What's Right With America: A New Vision for Muslims and the West

Islam, a Sacred Law: What Every Muslim Should Know about the Shari'ah

Seruan Azan Dari Puing WTC: Dakwah Islam di Jantung Amerika Pasca 9/11

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