Behzad Yaghmaian is an intelligent individual, with a free-thinking mindset, and a captivating view of the world we inhabit. I myself, am a "typical American", from a white family, with a Christian upbringing, raised in an ultra-conservative state. As an American, I am continually disappointed, upset, angered, and saddened by my countrymen's thoughtless views of the world around them. These views are often spoken with hate and contempt for Muslims and the Middle-East, with little or no knowledge of the subject, and therein perpetuate an "Us Vs. Them" mentality. Such ignorant views lead to war, hate, violence, a lack of understanding, unhappiness, and a rejection of humanity itself. It is my hope that more "Americans" take interest and read this book, so as to acertain an AUTHENTIC view of immigrants, especially those from the Middle-East, Muslims, and Africans for what they are; PEOPLE with desires similar to that of all human beings, including Americans. Enclosed, this book elaborates on a TRUE display of these "desires", of which are hopes, dreams, compassion, love, understanding, and an appreciation for basic humanity; ALL of which, at times seem to be lacking in American Society today!
-Enjoy!
Behzad Yaghmaian's elegant book succeeds in doing what other reports concerning Muslims' migration to the West fails: he gives voice to actual human beings. "Embracing the Infidel: Stories of Muslim Migrants on the Journey West" takes its' place alongside the best oral histories of our time, including those written by Studs Terkel. Instead of the false veil of objectivity, the author immerses himself into the story, into the personal stories that each of the subjects embodies. He sits with the people he writes about, breaks bread with them, laughs and cries with them. And the poignancy, pathos and compassion he used in the interviews that became this book shines through. The author captures the ambivelence created by doing what the title suggests, "embracing the infidel". While this book is not really a political book or a book about Middle East economics, it shows you the face of those subjects and the importance of that is unquantifiable. In a time when much is done to "de-humanize" the other, Behzad Yaghmaian not only humanizes the "other" but also shows us that what's happened to "them" could happen to us. The author's fluid and lyrical writing style and humor makes this important book one that you should get.
