Counter-narratives of Muslim American Women

Examining the prevalence of Islamophobia in education, this week's review "underscores the need for MusCrit" as a subset of critical race theory

Posted on March 20, 2023 in Reviews of the Month

Counter-narratives of Muslim American Women: Creating Space for MusCrit, Critical Storytelling, 6

Ali, Noor Azman. Brill, 2022
103p bibl index, 9789004519237 $107.00, 9789004519220 $42.00, 9789004519268 $107.00

Ali (Northeastern Univ.) offers readers a glimpse into the lived experiences of 15 young Muslim American women as each navigates the complexities of their intersectional identities within the American educational system. She extends the theoretical framework of critical race theory (CRT) to introduce the subset she has coined called MusCrit. Revealing the pervasiveness of Islamophobia in educational settings and acknowledging the ways in which Muslims are racialized, Ali underscores the need for MusCrit as a theoretical subset of CRT and outlines its six tenets. Interwoven with her interviewees’ stories, Ali spotlights her own identity as a Muslim American woman, noting how it enabled her to establish “a non-judgmental rapport with” her participants (p. 10). Throughout the text, Ali challenges readers to examine their own biases regarding inclusion and offers insights to shatter stereotypes or preconceived notions about individual differences. This timely study will be an insightful resource for educators, families, and communities.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers, advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.
Reviewer: M. Wong-Lo, Biola University
Interdisciplinary Subjects: Islamic Studies, Women’s & Gender Studies, Racial Justice
Subject: Social & Behavioral Sciences – Education
Choice Issue: Feb 2023

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