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They

What Muslims and Non-Muslims Get Wrong About Each Other

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They

By: Sarfraz Manzoor
Narrated by: Sarfraz Manzoor
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About this listen

A powerful and deeply personal exploration of a divided country - and a hopeful vision for change.

Sarfraz Manzoor grew up in a working-class Pakistani Muslim family in Luton - where he was raised to believe that they were different, they had an alien culture, and they would never accept him. They were white people.

In today's deeply divided Britain, we are often told they are different, they have a different culture and values, and they will never accept this country. This time they are Muslims.

Weaving together history, reportage and memoir, Sarfraz Manzoor journeys around Britain in search of the roots of this division - from the fear that Islam promotes violence, to the suspicion that Muslims wish to live segregated lives, to the belief that Islam is fundamentally misogynistic.

They is also Manzoor's search for a more positive future. We hear stories from Islamic history of a faith more tolerant and progressive than commonly assumed, as well as stories of hope from across the country that show how we might bridge the chasm of mutual mistrust.

They is at once fiercely urgent, resolutely hopeful and profoundly personal. It is the story of modern Muslim Britain as it has never been told.

©2021 Sarfraz Manzoor (P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Ltd Racism & Discrimination Religious Studies Social Sciences

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Critic reviews

"This is not another book about the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. It is THE book.... Absolutely not to be missed." (Matthew d'Ancona)

"Humane, heart-breaking and hopeful." (Kirsty Wark)

"Extraordinarily researched and courageously confronting, Sarfraz Manzoor writes with a rare blend of historical depth and personal authenticity. Profoundly personal and refreshingly honest, They tells the urgent and often untold story of Muslim Britain." (David Lammy, MP)

All stars
Most relevant  
Wish there were more truly balanced investigative journalists such as Manzoor in this increasingly polarised world. Thank you, Sir.

Terrific

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This is an absolutely excellent book, which reminds the reader of the existential moulding of the British Muslim experience.

What the author has achieved is a remarkable study of an evolving identity which is forged through misunderstanding and self-resilience. It is an eve-evolving profile that will make the listener understand how misunderstood the British Muslim community was and, to some extent' remains.

Superb

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A very personal account and deep dive into the taboo topics and assumptions Muslims and non-Muslims hold about each other in today’s Britain. The author writes (and reads) with humanity, courage and intellect - and this shines through from begin to end. No stone is left unturned, and I was gutted when it finished. Nice job, Sarfraz Manzoor!

Excellent - a must read of 2021

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I really loved this book, I came to it by a very circuitous route. Initially I listened to Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, which lead me to the book Born on the Fourth of July, then I watched the film Blinded by the Light, which lead me to listen to Greetings from Bury Park which is nothing like the film, but brilliant just the same.
It’s a book about family, friendship, coming of age and a passion for Bruce Springsteen. It’s also a history of England since the sixties seen through the eyes of a British Pakistani boy. It is an eye opener to see our history through brown eyes, with a soul influenced by Bruce Springsteen. England has transformed irreversibly since I grew up in the fifties and sixties, Sarfraz’s book indicates how we can painfully transform so that to nick the words of his other book “They” we stop seeing each other as “Other” but as Us. Immediately on completing Greeting from Bury Park I downloaded They I just have to hear what this man has to say.
Sarfraz is comfortable in his English skin I’m praying he reconciles himself with his Pakistani/Muslim self, it’s all a journey and I can’t wait to see where his journey takes us.

Race Religion and Rock and Roll

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I thought this was a fascinating and very illuminating book. I highly recommend it. I very much appreciated that the author was also the reader and was able to bring out his personal perspective alongside those of his many interviewees.

A personal and fascinating investigation

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A decent attempt, but too concerned with extrapolating interpretations that are not majority accepted.

At times it seemed like this was an exercise in finding writing about people who fitted into particular boxes the writer wanted to present.

I also think it is lazy to simply class the reason why BritPak Muslims hold onto their values out of a simple fear. inthink it is far more nuanced than that.

I also think the really interesting questions to ask of the runaways and tearaway was how did their new found freedom affect their relation to the community and religion they had left behind.

I would have also liked to have seen an examination of mixed marriages that did not work out and why. In particular perhaps a case where one of the spouses reconnected with their religion or family.

Final gripe is yet again another book where the narrator could have made a better stab at pronouncing the "foreign" words and names correctly .

But Sarfraz, please understand overall I am grateful for your effort in writing this book, and I appreciate it is your story. if I ever meet you there would be lots to talk about over a cup if chai.

A mixed bag of frustration and enlightenment

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