I am tremendously honored that Silicon Valley
Reads has selected my book, The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and That Veil Thing, for the 2012 program! I wrote my book in response
to the many questions I had received all my life on Islam and Muslims.
I have a graduate degree in Islamic law and I grew up as a practicing
Muslim in Southern California, so I was well qualified to write not only
about what it's like to be grow up Muslim in America, but also about the
tenets of Islam. My goal was to write a readable, engaging introduction
to Islam that was also academically reliable. Our world is getting
increasingly smaller, and we can no longer afford a lack of
intercultural understanding.
I applaud Silicon Valley Reads for
exploring Islam and Muslims through my book and Willow's book this year
- and I hope this is only one step in many that will serve to erase
misconceptions and build intercultural understanding. And I thank the
readers of the Bay Area for supporting this program and for being on the
forefront of those building multicultural bridges. Here's to a
successful Silicon Valley Reads 2012 season!"
-- Sumbul
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 I'm so flattered and pleased to have been invited to participate in Silicon Valley Reads. It's wonderful to see an entire community come together to learn, connect with each other and discuss the important issues of the day. I look forward to being part of that discussion.
When I wrote THE BUTTERFLY MOSQUE, this kind of community-wide dialogue was exactly what I had in mind. The topic of Islam is loaded with emotional and political baggage, and only through open and honest communication can Muslims and non-Muslims come to a better understanding of one another.
Whether you're a high school student, a library patron or just an ordinary Silicon Valleyite looking to get involved in a really big book club, I'm excited to meet you and hear your thoughts about THE BUTTERFLY MOSQUE.
-- Willow
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