Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a new book from Muslim American author, Ayesha Mattu, features stories from Muslim American men about love and intimacy.
Salaam, Love: American Muslim Men on Love, Sex, and Intimacy, is a collection of essays ranging from thoughts about marriage to stories about first kisses from Muslim American men who describe reconciling their notions of love in America with their religious beliefs.
According to Mohammed Shamma, one of the narrators featured in the book, these personal stories help chip away at the stereotypes that typically divide Muslim Americans from the rest of America.
“If we’re willing to talk about love, we’re making that step towards that mutual agreement that, ‘Hey, we’re really the same person.'”
Mattu says her goal with the book was to cast Muslim American men in a different light than the usual ‘scary Muslim’ terrorist frame that became of the image of Muslim men following 9/11.
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You can learn more about the collection of stories and read an excerpt at PRI.
Photo: (Pinterest)