A brilliant essay written to his son, the work is reminiscent of other works such as James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time. This work is inspired by an event at the author's school. He is being taught what it means to be a good Muslim. It troubles him that his school may offer more guidance than his own father. The changing world and the rise of extremism further troubles him. This is his attempt to keep his child on course to live a meaningful life. A work that we can all use Muslim or not.

"Letters to a Young Muslim" was one of the many books I wished for at Netgalley. Of course I was really excited when my wish was granted by PICADOR and they sent me an online ARC of this book.
We are facing difficult times, always threatened by our own fears, by the challenges of tomorrow and also by our beliefs and moral values. It is impossible not to hear the fear of some social groups in the news, as well as misconceptions about Islamism, migrants and terrorists, as if all of them fit in one whole box and are all the same (which we are pretty aware it's not truth). Because of that, I'm with the group that defends the need to bring to the light modern and moderate voices, to discuss this subjects with open minds and that are willing to reflect altogether about this issues that can contaminate or save our future world.
For what it's written on this book, Mr. Omar Saif Ghobash is as much needed as courageous for being so outspoken about many subjects. I truly believe this book probably will not be well received near the conservative sections of Islam and considering his position and profession, I am amazed by what he did and profoundly touched.
However, his book isn't preaching anybody, neither the reader or the receptor of his message. This is exactly what it aims to be. A collection of letters that hopefully will help his eldest son to grow up as a stir young man, with his own values and beliefs well developed, but structured upon reflection and introspection. I found the organization of the book very interesting and structured, with chapters that went from role models, the analysis of the violence and its repercussions on nowadays, the need of dialogue between the west and western world, the temptations of any faith (but specially the Islamic faith) when facing other realities and ways of living, the need of learning further knowledge and the importance of comparing it with their own beliefs in order to create better and educated versions of themselves, always facing the dichotomies of the world and finding the better answers to deal with them.
What I also liked here was a honest and transparent analysis of the world, without running away from further analysis and even some conscience and logic criticism when facing the dogmas of his own religion. They naturally had some influence and dictate his existence as a religious person but this logical constructions are also fundamental and adapted to the reality of XXI century.
It's a book for reflection, and I indicate it to everybody: the moderate voices, the more controversial ones, the doubtful and the minds which are lost and in need of some seeds to wake up to the reality we face today. We need more active voices defending the civilization as a system that will work better with communication, friendly approaches to the unknown, and always with the aim to grow peacefully and for all.

"...it’s a good and necessary start. Ghobash repeatedly emphasizes the need to think, to empathize, to doubt authority and to be suspicious of those who insist that they have the answers. Islam, Ghobash insists, is capable of embracing modernity and all its controversies."