Thanks to Readers First and Zaffre for this book.
Synopsis: For years Bilal Hasham & his wife Mariam have lived contended, quiet lives in the sleepy rural village of Babbels End. Now all that is about to change. On her deathbed, Bilals mother reaches for his hand. Instead of whispering her final prayers, she gives him a task: build a mosque in his country village. Miriam is horrified by Bilals plan. His friends are neighbours are unnerved as outrage sweeps Babel’s end, battle lines are drawn. Soon Bilal is forced to choose between community and identity, between faith and friendship.
Thoughts: Ayisha Malik has written this brilliantly. I loved reading about Muslim culture. There was a lot of subtle racism in it which shocked me as I’ve not really experienced much but Of course it happens. It was crazy how everyone was so good friends with Bilal until he wanted to build a mosque. It did show how fickle people can be. Surely being British isn’t just about Christianity is should be able all faiths. That is the message I got out of the book. People didn’t want to be seen as racists, but they were. Without giving to much away I enjoyed the ending. I really liked Bilal the main character he seemed like such a decent man and I loved his Auntie! She was really a loveable character. This book is a real eye opener and worth the read! Even though it showed people at their worst it also showed people at their best.
Synopsis: For years Bilal Hasham & his wife Mariam have lived contended, quiet lives in the sleepy rural village of Babbels End. Now all that is about to change. On her deathbed, Bilals mother reaches for his hand. Instead of whispering her final prayers, she gives him a task: build a mosque in his country village. Miriam is horrified by Bilals plan. His friends are neighbours are unnerved as outrage sweeps Babel’s end, battle lines are drawn. Soon Bilal is forced to choose between community and identity, between faith and friendship.
Thoughts: Ayisha Malik has written this brilliantly. I loved reading about Muslim culture. There was a lot of subtle racism in it which shocked me as I’ve not really experienced much but Of course it happens. It was crazy how everyone was so good friends with Bilal until he wanted to build a mosque. It did show how fickle people can be. Surely being British isn’t just about Christianity is should be able all faiths. That is the message I got out of the book. People didn’t want to be seen as racists, but they were. Without giving to much away I enjoyed the ending. I really liked Bilal the main character he seemed like such a decent man and I loved his Auntie! She was really a loveable character. This book is a real eye opener and worth the read! Even though it showed people at their worst it also showed people at their best.