“We Refuse to Be Enemies is an epiphany—a profoundly American book."—Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, PhD, Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, Director, Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue, Jewish Theological Seminary
"We Refuse to Be Enemies is a gripping account of how our two communities stood up for each other in the face of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, and a prescription for how we can work together going forward to buttress pluralism, democracy, and religious liberty in this country. Not to be missed."—Dr. Sayyid Syeed, President Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
"Sabeeha Rehman and Walter Ruby have written an essential book for the vital and important emergence of a Muslim-Jewish alliance in the United States."—Samuel G. Freedman, award-winning author of Jew vs. Jew: The Struggle for the Soul of American Jewry, columnist, and professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
""Today, Pakistan and Israel do not recognize each other. But here are two brilliant writers—one rooted in Pakistan, the other in Israel—who do recognize, understand, and respect each other. Sabeeha Rehman and Walter Ruby, a Muslim and a Jew, are both proud of their faith traditions, while being wise enough to see the deep ties and bridges between them. Their stories and insights give us some hope for the future of the world, including the Middle East."—Mustafa Akyol, Cato Institute Senior Fellow, opinion writer For the New York Times, and author of Islam without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty
“This is
a unique and remarkably compelling book written as a dialogue between a Muslim woman and a Jewish man. . . .
A vital contribution for dialogue and peace between Jews and Muslims.”
—Mehnaz M. Afridi, Phd, Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College
“A Muslim woman living in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood; a Jewish man hanging out with Arab Bedouins in Israel. Their stories of transformation and bringing communities together offers hope for America.”
—Wajahat Ali, author of
The Domestic Crusaders and contributing
New York Times op-ed writer
"
Sabeeha Rehman and Walter Ruby’s work is at once daring and careful, forgiving and demanding. They share their stories with disarming honesty, having come to their positions through deep listening and personal experience. This book gives a taste of what real Muslim-Jewish dialogue can look like.
"—Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe, Temple Rodef Shalom, and Dr. Maqsood Chaudhry, Founder and Trustee, McLean Islamic Center
"A must-read for anyone looking to deepen their own interfaith engagement."—Dr. Catherine Orsborn, Executive Director, Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign
"Given the massive importance of the Jewish-Muslim relationship, I consider Ruby and Rehman’s work to be a prerequisite for anyone interested in interfaith dialogue.” —Dr. Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at the American University's School of International Service, Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK and Ireland
"An informative and mighty book.”—
Our Town "
A compelling case for interfaith dialogue and religious pluralism from start to finish . . . Rehman and Ruby’s book shines when it weaves the writers into the narrative. . . . The pairs' voices give the book its combination of warmth and punch."—
Inside Arabia