WHY IS BEING SINGLE AND MUSLIM IN AMERICA SO HARD

Why a "Jihad?"
Many Muslim communities are filled with beautiful, smart, talented, unmarried, single people. But don't believe the hype! Most of them want to get married. Unfortunately however, many find the road to marriage filled with unnecessary delays, social stigma and spiritual pain. But why? And how do young single American Muslims balance their faith with western culture? Is the Muslim and Islamic way of life so incompatible to the American "hook-up" culture that many young Muslims are bred in? What's happening and how can we fix it? This book is revealing for all religious minorites.

An Ethnographical Study
The first book of its kind, Jihad of the Soul: Singlehood and the Search for Love in Muslim America, by Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, blends first-hand accounts of the attitudes, experiences, and emotions of single Muslim adults with an anthropological exploration on issues of identity, religion and desire into an intimate, rare look at young Muslim singles' navigation of love and faith. Through interviews with single Muslims aged 18-32, Zarinah identifies nine key reasons singlehood is a "jihad." The book ends with key recommendations to the community as well as the leaders with ways the author feels we can improve the marriage process and build strong communities.

What do you ask a potential spouse
Here Dr. Cheryl El-Amin, licensed social worker and pre-marital counselor, provides a sampling of questions to ask your potential mate. We know it can sometimes be hard to crack the ice and get to the real nitty-gritty. A sampling of "So You Wanna Know," Dr. Cheryl's questions for marriage are included to help you out!

A Letter to the Brothers by Dr. Halim Naeem
Manhood, relationships, marriage - Dr. Halim Naeem, husband and psychologist pens a letter discussing some of the most important issues for men to consider prior to marriage. Brothers you don't want to miss this.

A Letter to the Sisters
Not to leave the sisters out, this emotion and revealing letter from Zarinah to the sister readers is one of healing and growth.

Reviews

"A bold look at a number of taboo subjects...original, highly engaging and extremely valuable" - Dr. Carolyn Rouse, Princeton University

"A wonderful and creative book that provides an opportunity for single American Muslims to share their stories regarding the challenges of developing a self-identity, finding a compatible mate, and maintaining a healthy relationship in a non-Muslim society." - Azizah Kahera, Azizah Magazine

"Lively and succint... Zarinah El-Amin Naeem's own experiences as an American Muslim woman make for a compassionate, thoughtful, and useful study of the experiences and perspectives of Muslim singles seeking morally workable Islamic alternatives to mainstream American dating." - Dr. Kristina Wirtz, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Western Michigan University
"Reading this book was like talking to my daughter about everything she doesn't want to say." - Muhammad R. from New York

"...Groundbreaking, insightful and provocative...a useful departure point to a larger conversation" - Dr. Jimmy Jones, Manhattanville College, NY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Zarinah El-Amin Naeem is a global presenter, publisher and author from Detroit, Michigan. She uses public anthropology to reveal and address contemporary issues facing the Muslim community. In addition, Zarinah works through her company Niyahpress.com, Beautifully Wrapped, and the Enliven Your Soul Foundation for Global Advancement to create events, products, and experiences that help people tap into their souls. Her ultimate goal is to create a global culture of love by building connections between peoples of various backgrounds. A mother wife and community member, Zarinah would love to connect (zarinah@niyah.net)