Threading My Prayer Rug

Threading My Prayer Rug is a memoir chronicling Pakistani-American author Sabeeha Rehman's life after moving from Pakistan to New York in 1971 as a new bride. The narrative follows her experiences over four decades as she navigates marriage, motherhood, career, and faith in America. Rehman documents her path from being an outsider to establishing roots in American society, including her work to build Muslim communities and institutions in New York. She details the challenges and discoveries involved in raising her American-born children with Islamic values while embracing aspects of American culture. The years following 9/11 form a significant portion of the memoir, as Rehman describes increased interfaith outreach efforts and her role as a Muslim community leader. Her account includes both personal family moments and broader involvement in social and religious organizations. This memoir explores themes of cultural adaptation, religious identity, and bridge-building between different faiths and communities in American society. Through Rehman's experiences, the book examines how immigrant families maintain traditions while creating new ones.

Readers describe Threading My Prayer Rug as an insightful memoir about adapting to American life while maintaining Muslim faith and traditions. Many appreciate Rehman's candid, humorous writing style and her balanced perspective on bridging cultural gaps. Readers highlighted: - Clear explanations of Islamic practices for non-Muslim readers - Personal anecdotes about raising children in two cultures - Details about establishing Muslim communities in America - Commentary on post-9/11 experiences Main criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - A few readers found the chronological jumps confusing - Occasional long-winded passages about organizational details Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (200+ ratings) Sample review: "Rehman tells her story with grace and humor. She doesn't shy away from difficult topics but approaches them with wisdom and understanding." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "The author's honesty about her initial culture shock and gradual adaptation helps readers connect with her journey." - Amazon reviewer

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🕌 Author Sabeeha Rehman arranged her own marriage in Pakistan through newspaper ads and extensive interviews, before moving to New York as a young bride in 1971 📝 The memoir won the 2017 Benjamin Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association for Best Autobiography/Memoir 🌟 Rehman went from being a traditionally raised Muslim woman to becoming an American interfaith activist, serving as President of the interfaith organization Muslims Against Terrorism 🗽 The book details how Rehman created one of the first Islamic Sunday schools in New York City, helping young Muslims maintain their religious identity while fully embracing American culture 👥 Despite initial culture shock, Rehman successfully built bridges between her Pakistani Muslim community and other faith groups in post-9/11 America, organizing mosque open houses and educational programs