If the Oceans Were Ink

An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran

By: Carla Power

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Hailed by The Washington Post as "mandatory reading" and praised by Fareed Zakaria as "intelligent, compassionate, and revealing", this powerful journey will help bridge one of the greatest divides shaping our world today.

If the Oceans Were Ink is Carla Power's eye-opening story of how she and her longtime friend, Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi, found a way to confront ugly stereotypes and persistent misperceptions that were cleaving their communities. Their friendship - between a secular American and a madrasa-trained sheikh - had always seemed unlikely, but now they were frustrated and bewildered by the battles being fought in their names. Both knew that a close look at the Quran would reveal a faith that preached peace and not mass murder, respect for women and not oppression. And so they embarked on a yearlong journey through the controversial text.

A journalist who grew up in the Midwest and the Middle East, Power offers her unique vantage point on the Quran's most provocative verses as she debates with Akram at cafés, family gatherings, and packed lecture halls, conversations filled with both good humor and powerful insights. Their story takes them to madrasas in India and pilgrimage sites in Mecca as they encounter politicians and jihadis, feminist activists and conservative scholars. Armed with a new understanding of each other's worldview, Power and Akram offer eye-opening perspectives, destroy long-held myths, and reveal startling connections between worlds that have seemed hopelessly divided for far too long.

©2015 Carla Power (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Illuminating

Enjoyed every minute of it. Explained many conundrums and passages in the Quran. I have may not agree with all of what the Shaikh believes. But I admire his erudition, and her sensitivity.

Excellent Read/Listen

Great storytelling! Contextual presentation of the universal values of Islam based on the sacred text.

Iqra.

I really enjoyed this book. As a Muslim, like Carla did, I appreciate the effort of seeing Islam from another's point of view. Recommend reading this, Muslim or not. 👌🏾

potential unrealized

compelling topic but judgmental tone mars understanding. needs balance, background and edit to half length.

Excellent book, horrible narration

The narrator actually attempted to speak in voices with an Indian English accent for Re sheikh which I personally found offensive, high pitched tones for females, and deep voices for males. What are we 6??
The book itself is lovey, funny, touching, honest, and open. It’s refreshing to read about Islam for such a secular view as the author likes to call herself.