Responding to Cemil Aydın’s exceptional new book, The Idea of the Muslim World,
Harvard University Press 2017. [amazon]
by past Section Chair, Elizabeth Shakman Hurd
“Recently, a friend of mine originally from Calcutta was outside his house gardening on a Sunday morning when a neighbor came by and asked, “How was church this morning?” “I didn’t go to church,” he replied, “I’m Hindu.” “I’m sorry,” she responded. Another day, also while gardening, a different neighbor approached to ask how much my friend charges for landscaping. He explained that he owns the house.
We live in a moment in which for some Americans, to be perceived as Muslim, dark-skinned, and/or non-Christian, generates confusion and, at times, hostility. This is not new.”