Muslim Prayer in American Public Life

Observant  Muslims strive to fulfill the pillars of Islam, which include praying  five times a day, preceded by a cleansing ritual and followed by  physical prostrations facing Mecca. In a society not always  understanding or accepting of these practices, how do observant Muslims  navigate this ritualistic obligation? In this book, Rose Aslan seeks to  answer this question and explores the complexities of maintaining devout  Islamic rituals in post-9/11 America.

Drawing on an original  survey of 350 Muslims as well as examples from literature, poetry, film,  television shows, and social media posts, Muslim Prayer in American Public Life provides an in-depth examination of the lived experiences of Muslim  prayer practices in the United States today. It explores the various  ways practicing Muslims navigate their ritual obligations within a  predominantly secular society and the diverse challenges they confront  regarding prayer in public settings such as schools, workplaces, media  representations, religious debates, and protest movements. Aslan shows  how Muslims employ creative adaptations to prayer in secular spaces that  are not designed to accommodate religious needs. Despite facing  discrimination, they assert their identity and claim belonging in the  United States through embodied spiritual acts. Muslim Prayer in American Public Life illustrates how Muslims strive to maintain their faith within an ever-evolving American national context.