The Taqwacores

This book crosses every line with a relish and it’s almost a shame that it does as it perhaps detracts from some very valid points that it makes. The author, a revert to Islam, details the lives of several punk Muslims living in Buffalo. You have every category of Muslim represented, the hard line Salafi, the permanently burka wearing Muslimah, the pot smoking Mohawk sporting Sufi type and the Shia with Kerbala hang up as well as a whole host of other Muslims. The protagonist, Yusuf Ali is more mainstream and its through his eyes we see the punk drama enacted. The book seems aimed squarely at Muslims; indeed it’s hard to see the average non-Muslim being able to appreciate most of the writing. Nor is book for the faint hearted, if blasphemy, profanity and textual pornography aren’t to your liking than chances are neither will this book (though rest assured you don’t have to be a complete pervert to enjoy this book, just have a strong stomach). There are serious points within the book and points that are well worth reading for the insights they give into the way people are trying to direct Islam and the way different types of Muslims try to live.