Light without Fire: The Making of America's First Muslim College
“Will Islam become an American religion or remain permanently estranged? Will Muslims in America develop an identity that contributes to their country or one that emphasizes isolation and opposition? Scott Korb knows just how crucial these questions are, and inLight Without Firetells the story of the leaders and animating ideas behind America’s first Muslim liberal arts college—an institution seeking to build an American Islam—in all its fits and starts, and in prose that is both clear and compelling. I for one could not put it down—it is essential and riveting reading.”—Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith Youth Core, author ofSacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice and the Promise of America“With the warm generosity of an attentive host, and the critical yet respectful eye of a keen journalist, Scott Korb has given us an entertaining and illuminating look into the nation’s first Muslim college.”—Wajahat Ali, author ofThe Domestic Crusadersand lead author of the investigative report “Fear, Inc.: The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America” "This is an important book, and one as original as its fascinating subject. Like Roy Mottahedeh's classic Mantle of the Prophet, Light Without Fire is about education in both the broadest and deepest senses and about Islam in a particular place and time. Only here that place is America, now, a country desperately in need of stories about its own Islam. We are lucky to have a writer as erudite and engaged as Scott Korb to bring us this one." —Jeff Sharlet,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Family and Sweet Heaven When I Die“A moving portrait of a little known but hugely significant coordinate in America’s spiritual geography. For this journey into the heart of 21st-century Islam, Scott Korb is the perfect companion—not just a tour guide with ready answers to any question, but a fellow pilgrim leading the way to deeper understanding.Light Without Fireis at once a fascinating account of Muslims living their faith in the US, and a universal story of the call to make tradition new.”—Peter Manseau, author ofSongs for the Butcher’s Daughter"How      many stories in American religious experience are truly new?  Not so      many, and Scott Korb's story of Zaytuna College is one of them, expertly      and presciently told." —Paul Elie, author ofThe Life You Save May Be Your Own"Scott Korb’sLight Without Fireis a rare and precious book—intelligent, compassionate, and beautifully observed—one that will provide a necessary and vital contribution to any serious discussion of the role of Islam and religion in America." —Dinaw Mengestu, author ofThe Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears“Readers interested in Islam in America or the dynamics of Islamic education will find the book fascinating.” —Publisher's Weekly