Islamic Horizons
An American Experience
January/February 2010
A Country Called Amreeka: Arab Roots, American Stories
Alia Malek
2009. pp. 320. HB. $25.00
Free Press, New York
Malek seeks to address a challenging issue: restoring humanity to a community that has for too long been buffeted by the vagaries of chauvinism, bias, and ignorance. She tells the story of Arab immigrants in America and explores the Arab-American community’s diversity with a touch of humor.
Her book comes at time when the other Semites, Arab Americans, and Muslims continue to endure the stereotyping that has only heightened since 9/11.
Malek’s book should be of interest to those who study hyphenated American immigrants, especially as she includes all segments of the Arab-American population: from football star to soldier, from union leader to cheerleader, minister, Democrat, Republican, Christian, and Muslim. The series of portraits presented should help even the most biased people alter their stereotypical view of this community.
