Medina by the Bay: Scenes of Muslim Study and Survival

Medina by the Bay explores how multiracial Muslim communities in the San Francisco Bay Area survive and flourish against racial capitalist, carceral, and imperial logics, arguing that contemporary Islam emerges from the specificities of the Bay Area.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

From the Black Power movement and state surveillance to Silicon Valley and gentrification, Medina by the Bay delves into the intricate ways in which multiracial Muslim communities in the San Francisco Bay Area navigate and thrive amidst racial capitalist, carceral, and imperial logics. Through a rich tapestry of expansive histories, diverse peoples, and geographies, Maryam Kashani weaves an ethnographic screenplay of cinematic scenes, showcasing how sociopolitical forces and geopolitical agendas shape Muslim ways of knowing and being. Throughout, Kashani argues that contemporary Islam emerges from the unique contours of the Bay Area, encompassing its landscapes, infrastructures, and institutions such as its Muslim liberal arts college, mosques, and prison courtyards. Theorizing Medina by the Bay as a microcosm of socioeconomic, demographic, and political transformations in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Kashani reimagines Islam as a liberatory and abolitionist theory, theology, and praxis for all those engaged in struggle.

Introduction:
Medina by the Bay is a groundbreaking work that explores the survival and flourishing of multiracial Muslim communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The book delves into a range of issues, from the Black Power movement and state surveillance to Silicon Valley and gentrification. By examining these diverse topics, Medina by the Bay provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities faced by these communities.

Survival and Flourishing:
The book highlights the resilience and adaptability of these communities in the face of racial capitalism, carceral, and imperial logics. Kashani demonstrates how these communities have developed strategies to navigate and overcome these oppressive forces, while also preserving their cultural and religious traditions. Through a rich ethnographic approach, the book provides a nuanced understanding of the experiences and perspectives of these communities.

Sociopolitical Forces and Geopolitical Agendas:
Medina by the Bay explores how sociopolitical forces and geopolitical agendas shape Muslim ways of knowing and being. Kashani argues that contemporary Islam emerges from the specificities of the Bay Area, including its landscapes, infrastructures, and institutions. The book demonstrates how these factors influence the formation of Muslim identities, practices, and communities.

Contemporary Islam as Liberatory and Abolitionist Theory, Theology, and Praxis:
One of the key themes of Medina by the Bay is the reimagining of Islam as a liberatory and abolitionist theory, theology, and praxis. Kashani argues that Islam has the potential to be a powerful tool for social justice and resistance against oppressive systems. The book provides a rich analysis of the historical and contemporary relevance of Islam as a liberatory and abolitionist force.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Medina by the Bay is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of multiracial Muslim communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The book provides a rich and nuanced analysis of the challenges and opportunities faced by these communities, while also offering a vision for a more just and equitable society. Through its ethnographic approach and theoretical framework, Medina by the Bay contributes to the growing body of literature on Islam and social justice.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478020219