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DAUGHTERS
OF
ANOTHER PATH


Experience of American Women Choosing Islam



By
Carol L. Anway


Meet the Author:a
ACKNOWLEDGMENTb
DEDICATIONc
Introduction1
1. Daughters of Another Path: Women Becoming Muslim in America1
Islam Enters My World5
Overview of Survey Results6
2. The Beginning Path: Growing Up Christian in an American Family9
Families Who Were Strict in Religious Expectations12
Parents Whose Denominational Convictions Were Changing or Weak13
Women Who Felt a Pull Toward the Religious Experience14
Women who Came from a Mode of Commitment17
3. Changing Paths: American Women Choosing to Become Muslim19
Daughters Learning of a New Path21
The Witness of the Significant Other22
Learning About Islam in an Islamic Country24
The Witness of Muslim Neighbors and Acquaintances26
Learning About Islam in the College Setting29
Searching to Fill the Spiritual Void32
Sensing the Authority of the Qur'an34
Finding Answers in Islam36
Finding Something Familiar in Islam41
4. Forsaking the Previous Path: Reactions of Relatives43
Accepting the Choice47
Acceptance with Reservations49
Working Toward Acceptance52
Turning Their Backs on Acceptance57
Acceptance Not a Family Issue61
5. Journeying the Muslim Path: Living and Practicing Islamic Principles63
Articles of Faith65
The Five Pillars of Islam67
The Muslim Lifestyle in American Society73
Rights of Muslim Women85
What They Left Behind89
6. Accepting the Daughter's Journey: Reconciling Lifestyle Choices Between Daughter and Parents93
And Jodi Mohammadzadeh Responds94
Story 1: Acceptance in the Face of Concern97
Story 2: Openness to Diversity and Change100
Story 3: From Devastation to Acceptance103
Steps Toward Reconciliation106
7. Following the Path into marriage When Two Become One in Islam111
Finding a Muslim Husband114
Entering Into a Muslim Marriage119
Relating to the Husband's Family123
Blending Cultures126
8. Raising Children in Another Path Muslim Children in American Society129
Islamic Training Emphasized133
Parents Mutually Involved142
9. Respecting Divergent Paths Working Together to Build and Maintain Relationships145
Food and Drink Considerations146
Modesty in Dress and Social Relationships148
Celebrating the Holidays and Gift Giving149
Leaving the Children in the Care of Others154
The Daily Prayers156
Religious and Political Discussions157
10. The Daughters Speak Out: What Muslim Converts Would Like Us to Know159
Who We Are160
What Islam Is About167
How We, As Muslims, Experience America170
Epilogue173
Appendix A: Letter and Questionnaire: American-Born Women Converted to Islam177
AMERICAN-BORN WOMEN CONVERTED TO ISLAM QUESTIONNAIRE179
Appendix B: Questionnaire: Parents of American-Born Women Converted to Islam183
PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE183
Appendix C: One Woman's Story in Response to the Questionnaire185
Tell of Your Conversion to Islam185
How I Learned to Live and Practice as a Muslim187
My Family of Origin188
My Husband190
The Homeland of My Husband190
My Husband's Family191
My Position as a Woman191
Child Rearing193
What I Would Like to Express to Others194

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