Acknowledgments

Alhamdu li-llahi rabbil alamin.

This book emerges from a decade-long reflection on Muslim youth, particularly boys, in America. I am grateful to my interlocutors—Muslim boys from Queens, New York—who shared their experiences with me, as well as boys and men whom I engaged with for other research projects but whose experiences have shaped my interpretation and sharpened my analysis for this project as well.

I thank my teachers Monisha Bajaj, Nancy Lesko, and Lila Abu-Lughod for their helpful guidance. I am grateful to Saher Selod, Jay Sosa, Shruti Devgan, Julia Boss, Mariam Durrani, Karishma Desai, and Mary Ann Chacko for reading drafts and sharing invaluable feedback. Salimah Shamsuddin, the Director of Resettlement and Integration Programs at Lutheran Social Services, shared her insights about the Afghan refugee resettlement process; Matti Gellman shared important updates on Rezwan Kohistani’s case; Ryan Zohar at Georgetown University Library was extremely helpful in securing court rulings and other legal documents; and Erum Jaffer facilitated introductions to South Asian youth in New York. I have benefited from many conversations with colleagues and friends: thank you, Celene Ibrahim, Alyssa Niccolini, Stephanie McCall, and Bessie Dernikos. I am grateful to my colleagues at Georgetown University, and in particular the staff at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, for their support. Many thanks to Leah Pennywark and Anne Carter, my wonderful editors at the University of Minnesota Press, and the production team of the Forerunners: Ideas First series.

Finally, my deep gratitude to my family for their support.