Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, in the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation

As the Director of the Center for Global Engagement at Northwestern University, I am always on the look out for books that help young people make sense of their place in the world and their potential to create meaningful change. What I felt the strongest connection to in Acts of Faith was Eboo's sense - which I felt throughout the book - that by exploring the intersection of one's own story and the legacy or history of the stories of which it is a part, each of us might better understand the potential of our own moment. Even more, each of us might be better able to access that potential and make it real. What I believe Eboo has come across - in this book and with IFYC more widely - is nothing less than a deep truth of human nature - that not only does our sense of self impact our impact on the world, but that by working to strengthen, round out and challenge that sense of self, we better enable everyone to contribute their unique assets, potentials, and perspectives to improving our shared future. What I've better come to understand after reading this is that what Patel calls "pluralism", the Center for Global Engagement calls "collaboration across borders," but it amounts to the same thing: a deep belief in the potential of the space we all share to make of this world all that it can be. Highly recommended for the young social entrepreneur, volunteer, or humanitarian on your list!

This book is for anyone interested in understanding the world we live in today. Here is a beautifully written explanation of what seperates mainstream American Muslims from the extemists that dominate the news today. If voices like Mr.Patel's can be heard there would be less fear and apprehension and a greater understanding and appreciation of one of the fastest growing segments of the American population. His search for religious plurality rather than hatred is a must read. I hope it gets the attention it deserves!

A beautifully written book-if you are an educator, youth leader, or someone who is at all interested in how religion can affect social change, you owe it to yourself to read this book. I couldn't put it down. Doesn't matter if you are a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Athiest, etc-read this book!

Acts of Faith is a unique, compelling, and important story that reframes the dialogue about youth and religion. Instead of the usual fare of games, friends, fundraisers, and trips that characterize too much religious youth work, Patel reminds us of the critical, urgent need to engage young people as change agents for creating a more civil and vibrant society. Patel also reframes the debate about pluralism to show that bringing together young people from diverse religious traditions to engage in service together does not undermine their own religious identity, but actually (almost paradoxically) reinforces and deepens it. Everyone who cares about today's generation of young people--whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, something else, or none of the above--will be absorbed in Patel's story and challenged by his message.

I read this through in one sitting - couldn't put it down. In a time when the West is obsessed with Muslim integration & violent extremism, Patel provides sharp insight into the best solutions.