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40 Days & 1001 Nights

One Woman's Dance Through Life in the Islamic World

Parameters

  • 308 pages
  • 11 hours of reading

More about the book

To understand a people, one must live among them for 40 days, an Arabic proverb that Tamalyn Dallal embraced as she sought to uncover the realities of the Muslim world. Leaving her glamorous South Beach lifestyle behind, she embarked on a journey to dispel misconceptions about Muslims, immersing herself in five countries for 40 days each without revealing her identity as a renowned bellydancer. Her adventure begins in Aceh, Indonesia, where the tsunami is seen as divine, and life pauses five times daily for prayer. Next, she travels to the Siwa Oasis in the Sahara, home to Berber farmers whose traditional ways face threats from environmental degradation and tourism. In Zanzibar, she falls under the spell of the Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club, learning about local culture, the heroin trade, and an all-women spirit channeling community. In Jordan, she connects with diverse groups, including nomadic Bedouins and Palestinian refugees, gaining insight into their lives and struggles. Finally, she visits the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China, where modernity meets tradition among the Uyghur Muslims. This journey offers a fresh perspective on a world often misunderstood, revealing a tapestry of stories that are surprising, delightful, and sometimes shocking.

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40 Days & 1001 Nights, Tamalyn Dallal

Language
Released
2008
Binding
(Paperback),
Book condition
Damaged
Price
€4.62

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Title
40 Days & 1001 Nights
Subtitle
One Woman's Dance Through Life in the Islamic World
Language
English
Publisher
Melati Press
Released
2008
Format
Paperback
Pages
308
ISBN10
0979515505
ISBN13
9780979515507
Series
Description
To understand a people, one must live among them for 40 days, an Arabic proverb that Tamalyn Dallal embraced as she sought to uncover the realities of the Muslim world. Leaving her glamorous South Beach lifestyle behind, she embarked on a journey to dispel misconceptions about Muslims, immersing herself in five countries for 40 days each without revealing her identity as a renowned bellydancer. Her adventure begins in Aceh, Indonesia, where the tsunami is seen as divine, and life pauses five times daily for prayer. Next, she travels to the Siwa Oasis in the Sahara, home to Berber farmers whose traditional ways face threats from environmental degradation and tourism. In Zanzibar, she falls under the spell of the Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club, learning about local culture, the heroin trade, and an all-women spirit channeling community. In Jordan, she connects with diverse groups, including nomadic Bedouins and Palestinian refugees, gaining insight into their lives and struggles. Finally, she visits the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China, where modernity meets tradition among the Uyghur Muslims. This journey offers a fresh perspective on a world often misunderstood, revealing a tapestry of stories that are surprising, delightful, and sometimes shocking.