Muslim Teens Write About Their Issues, Their America

When Imran and Yasmine Hafiz, 16 and 17 respectively, realized that their peers, and even their elders, in Phoenix knew so little about their Muslim faith — and there were practically no resources they could use to learn more — they took instruction into their own hand. They sent out surveys to teen in Muslim schools across the U.S., asking about everything from prayer and Ramadan to dancing and drugs. They received 150 responses and, along with facts and insight provided by their mother, Dilara, composed the 115-page book, which answers basic questions about the faith while incorporating the contemporary wit and real lives of Muslim-American teens. Each chapter of the book starts with an excerpt from the Quran and a modern interpretation of the verse, followed by real-world examples illustrating American-Muslim life. The City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission awarded Imran and Yasmine the 2008 Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. “Living the Dream” Award in recognition of their commitment to human relations, social justice and the ideals of Dr. King. Posted December 14, 2007