By A couple of weeks ago, my social media feed was abuzz with highlight reels, posts, and tags for Islamophobia Awareness Month which takes place in November every year. As I swiped through the various pictures of people from my faith inspiring and informing the world about our Muslim identity, I couldn’t help but reflect on how little has changed since my teens.
If you’re a Millennial Muslimah like me, you too will know that coming of age under one of the most Islamophobic eras in modern history has not been an easy ride. We were the generation of girls who were forced into womanhood based on an identity entirely narrated by the aftermath of 9/11 and the war on terror. And so, as another year of Islamophobia awareness month passed us by, like you I knew that it wasn’t just another set of circles on our calendars; it was our annual clapback to the ones who tried to hijack the chance for us to reclaim our stories and redefine the negative narrative that has been imposed on us since the fall of the Twin Towers, no pun intended. (Well, maybe a little.)
This year, the theme of Islamophobia Awareness Month was “Muslim stories”, and as an author who champions the stories of marvelous Muslimahs who are breaking boundaries despite what society says, I am here for it!
Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, storytelling is such a powerful way to discuss and dismantle Islamophobia. It gives women like us the opportunity to be seen and amplifies our voices because God knows; now we need it more than ever. Especially at this time, with the rise of Islamophobic sentiments everywhere now is a good time to not just educate ourselves but use our knowledge as a tool to better educate others.
So here’s a list of 24 books on Islamophobia to add to your TBR in 2024.
‘Tangled in Terror’ by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan
“Tangled in Terror” by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan exposes Islamophobia as a global political project aimed at dividing people in the name of security. Suhaimah argues that Islamophobia can only be truly uprooted when we focus not on what it is, but what it does.
‘The New Crusades’ by Khaled A. Beydoun
“The New Crusades” by Khaled A. Beydoun interrogates how islamophobia acts as a global thread of state and social bigotry. Whether imposed by the way of hijab bans in France, state-sponsored hate speech and violence in India, or the network of concentration camps in China, Islamophobia is not only a pervasive worldwide phenomenon but one of the last acceptable forms of hate.
‘Cut from the Same Cloth’ edited by Sabeena Akhtar
“Cut from the Same Cloth” edited by Sabeena Akhtar compiles a range of essays that showcase what it means to be a Muslim woman living in Britain. The anthology covers topics such as pop culture, anti-Blackness, faith, family, politics, education, creativity, and working life, giving a platform for visibly Muslim women creatives a space to speak to the matters that mean most to them.
‘Muslim Women and Misogyny: Myths and Misunderstandings’ by Samia Rahman
“Muslim Women and Misogyny: Myths and Misunderstandings” by Samia Rahman explores the relationships between misogyny and Muslim women’s experiences in Britain today, untangling complex issues such as Muslim feminism, representation, toxic masculinity, marriage, and sexuality.
‘Coming of Age in the War on Terror’ by Randa Abdel-Fattah
“Coming of Age in the War on Terror” by Randa Abdel-Fattah examines the lives of a generation growing up amid widespread Islamophobia, surveillance, and suspicion. Drawing on local interviews but global in scope, Randa interviews both Muslim and non-Muslim individuals, providing a global perspective on the impact of the far-right, Trump, Brexit, and the polarization of politics on this generation.
‘The Muslims Are Coming’ by Arun Kundani
“The Muslims Are Coming” by Arun Kundani critiques counter-radicalization strategies and explores Islamophobia, extremism, and the domestic war on terror. Arun’s work offers the first comprehensive critique of counter-radicalization strategies.
‘The Islamophobia Industry: How the Right Manufactures Fear of Muslims’ by Nathan Lean
“The Islamophobia Industry: How the Right Manufactures Fear of Muslims” by Nathan Lean critically examines the campaign to promote fear and hatred of Muslims in the United States and Europe, tracing the funding, ideologies, and influencers behind the Islamophobia industry. This shocking and enlightening book is now more relevant than ever.
‘It’s Not About the Burqa’ edited by Mariam Khan
“It’s Not About the Burqa” edited by Mariam Khan is a contemporary collection of essays that presents an insightful analysis of the various myths that surround the most politicized and misused words associated with Muslim women and Islamophobia: the burqa.
‘Innocent Until Proven Muslim: Islamophobia, the War on Terror, and the Muslim Experience Since 9/11’ by Maha Hilal
“Innocent Until Proven Muslim: Islamophobia, the War on Terror, and the Muslim Experience Since 9/11” by Maha Hilal tells the powerful story of two decades of the War on Terror, exploring how the official narrative has justified the creation of a sprawling apparatus of state violence rooted in Islamophobia and excused its worst abuses.
‘Veiled Threat: On Being Visibly Muslim in Britain’ by Nadeine Asbali
“Veiled Threat: On Being Visibly Muslim in Britain” by Nadeine Asbali is an examination of what it is to be a visibly Muslim woman in modern Britain, a nation intent on forced assimilation and integration and one that views covered bodies as primitive and dangerous. From being bombarded by racist stereotypes to being subjected to structural inequalities on every level, Nadeine asks why Muslim women are forced to contend with the twin oppressions of state-sanctioned Islamophobia and the unrelenting misogyny that fuels our world.
‘All-American Muslim Girl’ by Nadine Jolie Courtney
“All-American Muslim Girl” by Nadine Jolie Courtney follows the story of Alli Abraham a Muslim girl navigating her identity in America while dating the son of someone who doesn’t know that she is Muslim. The novel explores themes of Islamophobia, cultural expectations, and the complexities of identity in a diverse society.
‘The Butterfly Mosque’ by G. Willow Wilson
“The Butterfly Mosque” by G. Willow Wilson recounts the author’s conversion to Islam and her love story with an Egyptian man in a post-9/11 world. Wilson, who was raised an atheist, decides to risk everything to convert to Islam. Torn between the secular West and Muslim East, Wilson records her intensely personal struggle to forge a “third culture” that might accommodate her values without compromising them or the friends and family on both sides of the divide.
‘My Hair Is Pink Under This Veil’ by Rabina Khan
“My Hair Is Pink Under This Veil” by Rabina Khan gives a candid insight into the life of a hijab-wearing Muslim woman in modern Britain. It explores the politics of the veil, white privilege, and intersectional feminism, before charting the author’s own battle to build a successful political career against a backdrop of blame, bias, and misogyny — including from her own community.
‘Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age’ by Amani Al-Khatahtbeh
“Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age” by Amani Al-Khatahtbeh is a candid memoir about coming of age as a Muslim American in the wake of 9/11, during the never-ending war on terror, and through the Trump era of casual racism.
‘Talking About Islamophobia’ by Sabeena Akhtar and Naima B. Robert
“Talking About Islamophobia” by Sabeena Akhtar and Naima B. Robert is aimed at young readers to encourage a conversation about Islamophobia — what it is, where it comes from, and what can be done to stand against it. It shares the perspectives of those who have faced discrimination due to their faith and takes a frank look at the frontlines of hate crime where Islamophobia is found — in the media, politics, and daily interactions.
‘You Think You Know Me’ by Ayaan Mohamud
“You Think You Know Me” by Ayaan Mohamud tells the story of Hanan who has always been the perfect Muslim poster girl. However, when her friend is brutally murdered and anti-Muslim sentiment spreads, she is forced to break her silence and stand up against prejudice and Islamophobia.
‘You Truly Assumed’ by Laila Sabreen
“You Truly Assumed” by Laila Sabreen tells the story of Zakat, Farah, and Sabriya, three Muslim girls who create a blog to shatter assumptions after a terrorist attack rocks the country. When the terrorist is assumed to be Muslim and Islamophobia grows, Sabriya turns to her online journal for comfort. “You Truly Assumed” was never meant to be anything more than an outlet, but the blog goes viral as fellow Muslim teens around the country flock to it and find solace and a sense of community.
‘The Beauty of Your Face’ by Sahar Mustafa
“The Beauty of Your Face” by Sahar Mustafa narrates the life of Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, who is the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls, a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter who is radicalized by the online alt-right attacks the school. As Afaf is caught in a school shooting, we are swept back through her memories: the bigotry she faced as a child, her mother’s dreams of returning to Palestine, and the devastating disappearance of her older sister that tore her family apart.
‘Hana Khan Carries On’ by Uzma Jalaluddin
“Hana Khan Carries On” by Uzma Jalaluddin revolves around Hana Khan’s efforts to tackle a hate-motivated attack on her neighborhood on her anonymously-hosted podcast, whilst trying to save her family-run halal restaurant which is on its last leg as she navigates a growing attraction to a flashy competitor who might not be a stranger after all.
‘Love from A to Z’ by S.K. Ali
“Love from A to Z” by S.K. Ali explores the love story between Zayneb, the only Muslim in her class, and Adam, who is dealing with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. This is a warm-hearted coming-of-age love story that tackles themes of love, Islamophobia, and personal growth.
‘You Must Be Layla’ by Yasmin Abdul Magied
“You Must Be Layla” by Yasmin Abdul Magied tells the story of 13-year-old Layla who is clever, ambitious, and funny. She’s left her comfortable Islamic school in Brisbane, Australia, and is starting a scholarship at a private school where she is the first (and only) child to wear a Muslim headscarf. This is a smart, laugh-out-loud story that offers an insight into normal Muslim family life and some of the barriers people of color can face.
‘Other Words for Home’ by Jasmine Warga
“Other Words for Home” by Jasmine Warga narrates the journey of a young girl leaving Syria for the United States. At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven’t quite prepared her for starting school in the US, but this life also brings unexpected surprises, other than dealing with issues of identity, belonging, and confronting stereotypes, there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for.
‘A Very Large Expanse of Sea’ by Tahereh Mafi
“A Very Large Expanse of Sea” by Tahereh Mafi follows Shirin, a Muslim girl who is tired of facing stereotypes and discrimination post-9/11. Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She’s tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments, and even the physical violence she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day. So she’s built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her until she meets Ocean James who is the first person who really seems to want to get to know Shirin for who she really is.
‘Love, Hate & Other Filters’ by Samira Ahmed
“Love, Hate & Other Filters” by Samira Ahmed is a romantic and relevant debut about Islamophobia and how it affects the normal life of a teenage girl. It tells the story of Maya Aziz, an Indian-American Muslim teen whose dreams of becoming a filmmaker in New York are shattered when dealing with a reality she can neither explain nor escape.
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