Celebrating: National Diversity Awareness Month!

“Dear little one,…know you are wondrous. A child of crescent moons, a builder of mosques, a descendant of brilliance, an ancestor in training.” -Mark Gonzales

Mark Gonzales’ words remind Muslims, especially younger generations, to take pride in their faith, culture, and identity. Muslim identity is shaped by generations of traditions, experiences, and communities that continue to grow and change. Yet Muslims in the United States have also faced stereotypes, discrimination, and misunderstanding surrounding their identities. Despite these challenges, Muslim communities continue to celebrate their faith, share their stories, and take pride in who they are.

Muslim stories reflect both the challenges of seeking acceptance and the joy that comes with embracing one’s identity. From conversations about Islamophobia and inclusion to celebrations of the hijab and multicultural identity, these experiences show the diversity within Muslim communities. Sharing these perspectives can challenge stereotypes while creating a greater understanding of Muslim lives and experiences. Take this opportunity to explore these stories through selections from the Goodshelf catalog:

Broken: the failed promise of Muslim inclusion:‍ How diversity initiatives end up marginalizing Arab Americans and US Muslims. Evelyn Alsultany argues that Muslims get included through “crisis diversity,” where high-profile Islamophobic incidents are urgently responded to and then ignored until the next crisis. In each of these arenas, Alsultany finds an institutional pattern that defangs the promise of Muslim inclusion, deferring systemic change until and through the next “crisis.”

Yo soy Muslim: A Father's Letter To His Daughter: From Muslim and Latino poet Mark Gonzales comes a touching and lyrical picture book about a parent who encourages their child to find joy and pride in all aspects of their multicultural identity.

Under My Hijab: Hena Khan celebrates six women who each wear the hijab in their own unique way, inspiring a young girl to imagine how she’ll express herself through hers. This rhyming story honors diversity, pride, and the beauty of Muslim women’s lives.

If you have a recommendation that isn’t in our catalog, don’t hesitate to go to https://www.goodshelf.org/recommend and make a submission!