Patricia Raybon - Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace

Praise for Undivided

This powerful and beautiful book exposes deep pain when a devoutly Christian mother must come to terms with her daughters passionate embrace of Islam. Their struggle toward reconciliation and mutual understandingthrough a series of searingly honest conversationsis captivating and potentially helpful to others who face similar challenges. This book highlights the possible cost of living in a radically open, pluralistic society such as ours.

SAMUEL E. KARFF, RABBI EMERITUS, CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL, HOUSTON

Patricia and Alana Raybon capture the essence of the national conversation that needs to happen between Christians and Muslims. With intensely personal and deeply spiritual details, Undivided challenges us to initiate interfaith dialogue with respectful questions that can lead not just to peaceful coexistence but peaceful partnership.

THE REVEREND MIKE COLE, GENERAL PRESBYTER, PRESBYTERY OF NEW COVENANT IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)

Undivided left me guttedin a good way. Here is raw honesty regarding valued but strained relationships. Here is vulnerable, personal examination with unapologetic clinging to the hem of Christs garment. Here is help for all of us who find ourselves facing the inexplicable differences between us and our loved ones.

ELISA MORGAN, SPEAKER; AUTHOR, THE BEAUTY OFBROKEN; AND COHOST, DISCOVER THE WORD

An exceptionally well-written, honest, and eye-opening account of the attempt by a mother and her daughter to create the relationship that God wants them to have. Valuable insights on their two perspectives, emotions, and values remind us that what we desire to communicate is many times not what is understood by the other party at allan important lesson for all of us who work in interfaith.

SHAYKH WALEED BASYOUNI, PHD, ISLAMIC SCHOLAR AND VICE PRESIDENT, AL MAGHRIB INSTITUTE

This powerful conversation between a mother and her daughter surrounding issues of faith is riveting and groundbreaking. I believe that this book will inspire and influence many to rely on the power of listening and honest communication as tools for genuine reconciliation.

DR. TIMOTHY TYLER, PASTOR, SHORTER COMMUNITY A.M.E. CHURCH, DENVER

Patricia and Alana give us the priceless gift of transparency to which most families can relate. They demonstrate how people of different faiths can move beyond mere toleration to an understanding of appreciation. God has used their journey to provide transferable principles that are doable and necessary in all kinds of relationships.

DR. CLARENCE SHULER, PRESIDENT/CEO, BLR: BUILDING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

This timely, gorgeous book explores the divide between Christianity and Islam in one family and the intersection of spiritual heritage and independence. Ultimately its about a mother and a daughter trying to communicate. Undivided will leave you wanting to listen well, ask good questions, and work to restore relationship even when core beliefs and life choices are worlds apart.

LINDSEY OCONNOR, JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR, THE LONG AWAKENING

For most of us, the tension between Islam and Christianity plays out only in headlines. In Undivided it plays out in the hearts of two very honest, vulnerable people. Patricia and Alanas transparent discussion will surely open the way for many more among us.

CHRIS TIEGREEN, AUTHOR, ONE YEAR DEVOTIONALS, INCLUDING THE ONE YEAR HEARING HIS VOICE DEVOTIONAL

To be credible witnesses of the gospel in an ever-changing culture, we need more loving, more honest, and more human stories. We live in a toxic society, where it seems okay to dishonor people simply because they do not agree with us, but in matters of the heart and faith, God calls us to sacrificial love. I thank God for this courageous effort to live faithfully, authentically, and lovingly.

NATASHA SISTRUNK ROBINSON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EVANGELICAL LEADERSHIP, GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

I felt the dread and pain of a mother and daughters courageous endeavor to enter into an interfaith dialogue. Alanas description of her decision to wear hijab was especially poignant. As a grandparent I felt keenly Patricias struggle to relate to her grandkids while respecting their parents beliefs. In good stories we look for transformation, and we find it here as the authors move toward mutual understanding. In the end, love wins!

TIMOTHY R. BOTTS, CALLIGRAPHIC ARTIST

In a world where debate seeks to produce winners and losers, Undivided is a marvelous and realistic conversation toward dialogue, where relationships are built. I loved it!

REV. STEPHEN D. QUILL, INTERFAITH LEADER AND PASTOR, HOUSTON

A must-read for all families, Undivided is a beautiful story of a Christian mother and a Muslim daughter coming to terms with the existential issues posed by the conversion of her child to a faith that has become increasingly maligned. As the daughter of a woman who was raised a Christian but chose to become Muslim during the 1970s, I wish my mother and grandmother could have read and discussed this book together.

ZAYNAB ANSARI, SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE, TAYSEER FOUNDATION

I needed this book. Discovering how to love across faiths can be a precarious journey, and nothing about this one has been sugarcoated. But on each page I grow in my love and respect, not just for the authors but for the Muslim and Christian neighbors Im better equipped to know and engage with due to this brave volume. Because of this gift, I will love more like Jesus.

MARGOT STARBUCK, AUTHOR, SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE

Undivided is a captivating example of faith seeking understanding. Presented as correspondences, it allows the reader to peek in on a rich theological debate wrapped in the healing of a family. Undivided is definitely a worthwhile read for Christians and Muslims alike. It is an exemplary tale of interfaith peace.

THE REVEREND BRANDEE JASMINE MIMITZRAIEM, MPHIL, PASTOR, EMBRY CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH, ELIZABETHTOWN, KY

A thought-provoking book about a painful yet liberating journey between a mother and her daughter and their stark religious differences. Through intentional sharing, listening, and reflection, the two of them work toward healing and reconciliation. Undivided is a wonderfully written book addressing a difficult topic.

DR. DALE TREVINO, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, BOSTON

Undivided is more than some pithy study of tolerance. After all, who wants to be merely tolerated? Undivided is a necessary study of acceptance and raw honesty. The Raybons deep disclosures challenged me to think and talk about faith in a new way. Something inside of me says I should not have expected less.

ROBIN CALDWELL

Without question, this is the most amazing book I have read regarding the trials and triumphs of loved ones navigating the turbulent world of interfaith realities. That a mother and her daughter would share their journey so honestly with equal passion provides hope and inspiration for countless others.

BROTHER JEFF S. FARD, MUSLIM COMMUNITY LEADER AND FOUNDER, BROTHER JEFFS CULTURAL CENTER, DENVER

Our world needs models for authentic conversation across faith lines. Lack of understanding and mistrust run deep. Patricia and Alana provide such a model from within a family. In the end we all are family members needing to have a conversation.

REV. DR. L. JAMES BANKSTON, RETIRED UNITED METHODIST CLERGY, HOUSTON

How can a heartbroken Christian mother and an independent Muslim daughter find peace? They fight for it. With rare honesty and unfiltered emotions, Patricia Raybon and Alana Raybon let readers into their personal, painful, and praiseworthy struggle.