In today's divided America, hatred, fear, and suspicion often prevail. If you are a Muslim, do you ever wonder why you are feared? Conversely, if you are a non-Muslim, do you have the information necessary to form an informed opinion about Muslims?
This book stands alone because it simultaneously speaks to Muslims and Islamic skeptics. It features a thought-provoking dialogue between an Islamic scholar and a non-Muslim former federal prosecutor. The dialogue explores whether a practicing Muslim can be accepted in a Judeo-Christian West that is often Islamophobic and hostile. The conversation unfolds between two distinct individuals—one a devout Muslim and the other a secular Jew—both of whom prioritize the preservation of democracy. Their exchange is enlightening and respectful, addressing divisive issues without resorting to demonization.
Amidst ongoing conflicts between Muslims and Jews and a global resurgence of authoritarianism, the authors engage in critical discussions about war, political ideology, and the potential for coexistence. Drawing from their vastly different life experiences, they aim to inform and empower readers to form opinions based on facts rather than emotions.
This book is for non-Muslims seeking to understand Islam and have their questions about the faith answered. It is also for Muslims who wish to comprehend the root causes of the fear and distrust they often encounter in the West almost daily.
Imam Azhar Subedar:
Imam Azhar Subedar is an Islamic leader and scholar born and raised in Canada. He completed a transformative decade of Islamic studies in the United Kingdom, earning a Master's in Islamic Sciences and Arabic Literature. Imam Subedar addresses contemporary social issues through the lens of the Quran. Since 2002, he has been a driving force within U.S. Muslim communities, serving as an advocate, strategist for Islamic organizations, and a respected spiritual leader.
His commitment to empowering individuals and fostering community growth was shaped by September 11, 2001. On that day, while traveling by bus from Pakistan to New Delhi, India, he learned how the world had changed shortly after arriving. The troubling signs he experienced on his journey foreshadowed the challenges that would follow from that moment on; his life as a Muslim and as an Imam was forever altered. He made it his mission to combat the Islamophobia that arose in the aftermath of 9/11 and to dispel the collective guilt unfairly assigned to all Muslims due to the actions of extremists who misuse the name of Islam.
Imam Subedar recognizes that, in addition to his spiritual responsibilities to his congregations and community, he must educate both Muslims and non-Muslims about the often misunderstood verses in the Quran, including those regarding jihad. He has been acknowledged for his contributions within his community and beyond, receiving recognition from politicians across the political spectrum, including Republicans and Democrats. He served on President George W. Bush's White House Faith-Based and Community Initiative Committee and was the first Muslim to deliver the opening prayer at the Florida Senate. Additionally, he offered the prayer at President Biden's Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service.
Imam Subedar has become an integral part of the fabric of both Islam and America, offering counsel during the tragedy of the Pulse nightclub shooting and attending the funeral of Muhammad Ali. In various ways, he continues to work towards building bridges and fostering understanding in the community.
Robert Gary:
Robert Gary has an extensive background in criminal justice. He has an LLM in Criminal Justice from the NYU School of Law. He served as a prosecutor in the Organized Section of the United States Justice Department, Acting Chief of the Cleveland Organized Crime Strike Force, Special Assistant United States Attorney, Director of the Ohio Organized Crime Council, and Special Assistant to the Governor of Ohio for criminal justice, as well as assistant county prosecutor. As a private attorney, he was appointed by a U.S. District Court judge to represent Muslims in federal prisons in 1995. He utilizes his prosecutorial expertise to engage with his co-author, Imam Subedar, and, more importantly, to explore the text of the Quran. His family was directly affected by the events of September 11, 2001. His eldest daughter, an attorney, worked in an office near the World Trade Center and was engulfed by dust and debris when the building collapsed. His youngest daughter served as the Communications Manager of the American Red Cross for the September 11th Recovery Program, and she was present at Ground Zero shortly after the attacks. Robert Gary wrote articles for the Lorain Journal discussing the intifada and the 9/11 attacks. His daughter and his press credentials granted him early access to the still-smoldering World Trade Center site. These experiences fueled his motivation to learn more about Islam and the underlying rage that prompted the attacks on U.S. soil. To further his understanding of Muslims and Islam, he has traveled extensively in the Muslim world, visiting countries such as Iran, Egypt, Bahrain, Turkey, Jordan, and the UAE. During these travels, he met with English-speaking clerics or imams to enhance his knowledge of Islam. He has lectured on the geopolitics of Islam and world terrorism. He has taught classes on the Quran and Islam at the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning and the Longboat Key Education Center, some of which were conducted in partnership with Imam Subedar. Additionally, he has lectured on Islam globally as a speaker for Crystal Cruise Line. The unique relationship forged between Imam Subedar and Robert Gary-a Muslim and a Jew-has endured through more than five years of co-authoring "I Am The Other," the conflict in Gaza, and the deep divisions created by the shift to the right in American politics.
