• Age: 14 to 18
• Grade: 9 to 12
• Reading age: 0

"[The Groundwork Guides] are excellent books, mandatory for school libraries and the increasing body of young people prepared to take ownership of the situations and problems previous generations have left them." -- Globe and Mail

Being Muslim presents an up-front and readable explanation of the most complex and emotion-laden issues of our troubled times. The varying branches of Islam are analyzed and their history outlined -- but the focus is on the present.

In speaking about and crossing political, cultural and religious divisions, this book offers a unique perspective, forged in Canada, a country where people from everywhere on earth have found a way to live in peace. Terrorism. Wars. Jihad. Hijab. Polygamy. Muhammad's many wives. Muslim prayer. Female circumcision. Honor killings. Sharia. Stoning. Status of Muslim women. All these topics and more are tackled in this fascinating and informative book.

Haroon Siddiqui, one of Canada's most highly regarded editors and past president of PEN Canada, has been a voice of moderation and wisdom in the post-9/11 world. A columnist at the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper, he has a readership that includes people from every corner of the earth and practitioners of all the world's religions. He has been critical of his media colleagues for their reliance on sensationalist cliches and stereotypes. He has questioned almost every aspect of George W. Bush's failed "war on terrorism." His work has been notable in promoting understanding. Siddiqui as been awarded the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honor, for his journalistic contributions as well as for his voluntary work in helping to forge the new Canadian identity. A former news editor, national editor and editorial-page editor, he writes from his experience of traveling the world, covering such historic events as the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, the American hostage crisis in Tehran, the Iran-Iraq war and India's emergence as an economic and global power. He is one of the most trusted voices today on issues surrounding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, on Iran and Islamophobia in the world.

Haroon Siddiqui's profile page

Jane Springer is the author of Genocide, part of the Groundwork Guides series for which she is also the series editor. She is a consultant in international development and has lived and worked in Mozambique and India. She is the author of Listen to Us: The World's Working Children and translator of the Portuguese-language books Nest Egg and Tales from the Amazon. Jane Springer lives in Toronto.

Jane Springer's profile page

• Commended, IRA Children's Book Award Notables
• Commended, Booklist Top 10 Religion Books for Youth
• Commended, CCBC Our Choice
• Commended, Booklist Top 10 Youth Series - Nonfiction

...this basic knowledge will help non-Islamic readers to make sense of what they see on the news, and to sort out the truth from the propaganda.

Globe and Mail

[Siddiqui's] clear, passionate discussion confronts international issues that are in the news now...Excellent for classroom discussion.

Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

An accessible and timely book.

Curriculum Connections (SLJ)

...reading the slim, cleanly crafted volume has the effect of jogging you back into something like lucidity....a book that should find its way into every school library in the country.

Edmonton Journal

Each of the four well-written and engaging books in this valuable series provides a foundation for understanding an important subject relevant to current world stability and peace.

Library Media Connection

Being Muslim offers an intense, micro-level commentary on Islam and today's political landscape.

Saudi Aramco World

Being Muslim is an excellent overview for students in grade 9 through 12, teachers of World Issues and cross-cultural studies courses, and for high school library collections.

CM Magazine

Extremely challenging and thought-provoking, this book would be an excellent resource for senior high school students interested in politics and debate.

Resource Links

This balanced, concise book is an excellent resource for social studies or debate class...The author's tone is conversational and engaging, and frequent breaks in the text make this small book very readable.

School Library Journal

Siddiqui...writes with clarity, wit and balance, though not without moral passion...An excellent place to start thinking about Islam and the Arab world today.

Christian Century