Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation | 
 enlarge | Author: Eboo Patel
Publisher: Beacon Press
Category: Book
List Price: $13.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 43849
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 216
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7
ISBN: 0807077275
Dewey Decimal Number: 200
EAN: 9780807077276
ASIN: 0807077275
Publication Date: July 15, 2008
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New. Delivery is usually 5 - 8 working days from order, International is by Royal Mail Airmail
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Product Description
A young Muslim activist explains our critical need to counter the recruitment of youth by religious fundamentalists
Acts of Faith is Eboo Patel's remarkable account of coming of age and coming to understand what led him toward religious pluralism rather than hatred. His story is a hopeful and moving testament to the power and passion of young people, and to the notion that we find the fulfillment of our identities in the work we do in the world.
"A beautifully written story of discovery and hope."
aPresident Bill Clinton
"Visionary . . . The tale of a man's increasing understanding that traditions of mercy, compassion, and social justice are embedded in every faith, and accessing them is the key to creating a pluralism that enhances fiath rather than threatening it."
aAdam Mansbach, Boston Globe
"Eboo Patel is an exciting new voice of a new America: diverse but not divisive, hopeful but not utopian. He speaks for all of us from a rising generation of bright, brown and bold Americans who have much to offer a country embarking on a new millennium and in need of new blood."
aShaykh Hamza Yusuf, executive director of the Zaytuna Institute
"[Patel] shows how educating a new generation to reject religious intolerance and work for the common good is the only way the world can avoid growing fanaticism and violence. This hopeful book shows the power that is waiting to be engaged for a better future."
aJim Wallis, author of God's Politics
"Eboo Patel has crafted an elegantly written and brilliantly argued manifestoaa call to arms, reallyaabout the importance, not of interfaith dialogue, but of interfaith cooperation. His thesis is simple: children are not born to hate; hatred is taught to them. And in a time when religion is used increasingly to justify bigotry and violence, it is up to people of faith everywhere who believe in peace, and tolerance, and pluralism, to stand up to those who preach hatred in the name of God. Acts of Faith is more than a book, it is an awakening of the mind. It should be required reading for all Americans."
aReza Aslan, author of No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
"A remarkable book by a young Muslim and a Rhodes Scholar with a vast spiritual vision: a future in which young people join hands in service across the lines of religion. Refreshing, honest, and hopeful, it will speak to the soul of a generation yearning for a new way ahead. Give it to every young person in your lifeaand to yourself."
aDiana Eck, author of A New Religious America: How a 'Christian Country' Has Become the World's Most Religious Diverse Nation
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
ACTS OF FAITH charts his ability to move beyond hate to deeper messages and provides inspiration for all February 7, 2008
ACTS OF FAITH: THE STORY OF AN AMERICAN MUSLIM, THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SOUL OF A GENERATION tells of the author's coming of age and understanding of religious pluralism. He grew up outside of Chicago and was the subject of racist bullying and Muslim hatred - but learned in college what was at the root of prejudice. ACTS OF FAITH charts his ability to move beyond hate to deeper messages and provides inspiration for all, making it a special pick for any collection strong in spirituality or in Middle East politics and prejudices.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
An important memoir for young global change agents. December 9, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
As the Director of the Center for Global Engagement at Northwestern University, I am always on the look out for books that help young people make sense of their place in the world and their potential to create meaningful change.
What I felt the strongest connection to in Acts of Faith was Eboo's sense - which I felt throughout the book - that by exploring the intersection of one's own story and the legacy or history of the stories of which it is a part, each of us might better understand the potential of our own moment. Even more, each of us might be better able to access that potential and make it real.
What I believe Eboo has come across - in this book and with IFYC more widely - is nothing less than a deep truth of human nature - that not only does our sense of self impact our impact on the world, but that by working to strengthen, round out and challenge that sense of self, we better enable everyone to contribute their unique assets, potentials, and perspectives to improving our shared future.
What I've better come to understand after reading this is that what Patel calls "pluralism", the Center for Global Engagement calls "collaboration across borders," but it amounts to the same thing: a deep belief in the potential of the space we all share to make of this world all that it can be.
Highly recommended for the young social entrepreneur, volunteer, or humanitarian on your list!
Amazing true Story! November 9, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I loved reading this book - couldn't put it down! I heard Eboo Patel speak at a Book Session in Chicago and he's really inspirational! I could relate to so many diff. things in his book. I've purchased several copies and distributed to friends and family! Great booK!
Really want to solve world problems ? September 5, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Patel warmly and understandably offers a solution to genuinely change the world - save it if you will!
 Visionary - Practical - An Urgent Read September 3, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I finished this book the week before CNN began to air their three night special entitled "God's Warriors." If you haven't made time to watch God's Warriors for the 6 hour duration, you should. If you haven't read Eboo Patel's book, Acts of Faith - The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation,you must.
Religious fundamentalism continues to be the spawning grounds for extremism that continues to ravage the soul of mankind. It is through the efforts of Eboo Patel and the InterFaith Youth Core (www.IFYC.org), that young adults from all faith persuasions are challenged to learn to live with one another, in collaborative harmony.
The book recounts Patel's personal struggle with forging and cherishing his Muslim identity and faith, as an American, and then launching the InterFaith Youth Core as his vehicle for creating pluralistic understanding within the next generation of young adults who will become the leaders of our world. This book is about how one man decided to become part of the international interfaith youth movement.
As Patel says, "In a world where the forces that seek to divide us are strong, I came to one conclusion: We have to save each other. It's the only way to save ourselves." P. 180
This book chronicles how Eboo Patel came to participate in the movement of religious pluralism. In his own words, "Movements re-create the world. A movement is a growing group of people who believe so deeply in a new possibility that they participate in making it a reality. They won't all meet. They won't even know everybody else's names. But somehow, they all have the feeling that people on the other side of the city or country or the world believe in the same idea, burn with the same passion, and are taking risks for the same dream." P. 181.
What's the meaning of this term "pluralism" from Patel's standpoint? He writes, "To see the other side, to defend another people, not despite your tradition but because of it, is the heart of pluralism." P. 179.
In a world threatened and fractured by the isolationist requirements of religious fundamentalism and extremism, pluralism possesses the essential antidote. In Patels' words:
"America is a nation that has constantly been rejuvenated by immigrants. For centuries, they have added new notes to the American song." P. 176.
"The waters of faith, says one scholar, are so clear that they pick up the colors of the rocks they flow over." P. 176
"Violence committed in the name of a religion is really violence emanating from the heart of a particular interpreter." P. 141.
"Apartheid in South Africa was a violation of the spiritual principles of human togetherness." P. 116.
In an interview with the Dalai Lama, he said: "Religions must dialogue, but even more, they must come together to serve others. Service is the most important. And common values, finding common values between different religions. And as you study the other religions, you must learn more about your own and believe more in your own." P. 96.
"I realized that it was precisely because of America's glaring imperfections that I should seek to participate in its progress, carve a place in its promise, and play a role in its possibility. And at its heart and at its best, America was about pluralism." P. 89.
A wonderful book. A guy I would like to meet. Consider joining Eboo and the Interfaith Youth Core at their convention in Chicago this fall entitled "Crossing The Faith Line" October 28th - 30th 2007
Bill Dahl
Author, Creator, Editor
http://www.ThePorpoiseDivingLife.com
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