• Finalist, 2022 Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction book

• Finalist, 2022 Alberta Literary Book Awards (Memoir)

• A Globe and Mail “Globe 100” book of the year

• Indigo’s Best Books of 2021: Top 100 Adult Books and #1 Social Sciences Book of 2021

• Named one of the best Canadian book of the year by CBC Books

• Named one of the best fall books by Chatelaine and Quill & Quire

An insightful and perspective-shifting new book, from a celebrated journalist, about reclaiming identity and revealing the surprising history of the Muslim diaspora in the west—from the establishment of Canada’s first mosque through to the long-lasting effects of 9/11 and the devastating Quebec City mosque shooting. Discover the book that is sparking conversation from Brazil to Canada’s icy North.

Omar Mouallem grew up in a Muslim household, but always questioned the role of Islam in his life. As an adult, he used his voice to criticize what he saw as the harms of organized religion. But none of that changed the way others saw him. Now, as a father, he fears the challenges his children will no doubt face as Western nations become increasingly nativist and hostile toward their heritage.

In Praying to the West, Mouallem explores the unknown history of Islam across the Americas, traveling to thirteen unique mosques in search of an answer to how this religion has survived and thrived so far from the place of its origin. From California to Quebec, and from Brazil to Canada’s icy north, he meets the members of fascinating communities, all of whom provide different perspectives on what it means to be Muslim. Along this journey he comes to understand that Islam has played a fascinating role in how the Americas were shaped—from industrialization to the changing winds of politics. And he also discovers that there may be a place for Islam in his own life, particularly as a father, even if he will never be a true believer.

Original, insightful, and beautifully told, Praying to the West reveals a secret history of home and the struggle for belonging taking place in towns and cities across the Americas, and points to a better, more inclusive future for everyone.

Omar Mouallem is an award-winning writer and filmmaker. He’s reported on Muslim and Middle Eastern issues for The Guardian, The Ringer, and WIRED, coauthored the national bestseller Inside the Inferno: A Firefighter’s Story of the Brotherhood that Saved Fort McMurray, and directed two documentaries. His new film, The Last Baron, about the unlikely connection between the Lebanese civil war and hamburgers, premiers in CBC Gem on Sept. 17/21.

Omar is a frequent TV and radio guest, having appeared on Al Jazeera, WNYC, and CBC, and he has hosted several podcasts, including six episodes of CANADALAND’s flagship show.

In addition to public speaking, Omar is a part-time educator. He mentors graduate students in King’s University creative nonfiction program, teaches the business of freelance writing at the University of Alberta, and operates Pandemic University Pop-up School of Writing, a virtual school he founded in support of writers affected by the COVID-19 fallout. To date “PanU” courses and webinars have been attended by more than 2,500 people from 40 countries, and the community has collectively raised over $10,000 for literary causes.

He lives in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife and two kids.