Love Thy Neighbor Audiobook By Ayaz Virji M.D., Alan Eisenstock cover art

Love Thy Neighbor

A Muslim Doctor's Struggle for Home in Rural America

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Love Thy Neighbor

By: Ayaz Virji M.D., Alan Eisenstock
Narrated by: Ayaz Virji M.D.
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A powerful true story about a Muslim doctor's service to small-town America and the hope of overcoming our country's climate of hostility and fear.

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Publishers Weekly

In 2013, Ayaz Virji left a comfortable job at an East Coast hospital and moved to a town of 1,400 in Minnesota, feeling called to address the shortage of doctors in rural America. But in 2016, this decision was tested when the reliably blue, working-class county swung for Donald Trump. Virji watched in horror as his children faced anti-Muslim remarks at school and some of his most loyal patients began questioning whether he belonged in the community.

Virji wanted out. But in 2017, just as he was lining up a job in Dubai, a local pastor invited him to speak at her church and address misconceptions about what Muslims practice and believe. That invitation has grown into a well-attended lecture series that has changed hearts and minds across the state, while giving Virji a new vocation that he never would have expected.

In Love Thy Neighbor, Virji relates this story in a gripping, unforgettable narrative that shows the human consequences of our toxic politics, the power of faith and personal conviction, and the potential for a renewal of understanding in America's heartland.

©2019 Ayaz Virji and Alan Eisenstock (P)2019 Random House Audio Biographies & Memoirs Islamic Heritage Religious Intolerance Religious Studies Social Sciences Spirituality Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

“So many narratives about rural America in the wake of President Donald Trump’s election have been told through the eyes of the white working class. Yet Ayaz Virji’s memoir as a Muslim doctor in small-town Minnesota offers a revealing perspective that challenges us to think more broadly about community and faith in Trump Country, where the author chronicles the conflicts between his calling to practice rural medicine and find acceptance in his religious identity.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

“Both candid and compelling, Virji's book is strong medicine for an age plagued by the ills of xenophobia, misinformation, and distrust. A courageous and necessary memoir in troubling times.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Clear-eyed.... Written in powerful vignettes that jump easily from flashback to present...Virji shows the community work he - and many others - are doing to combat a negative political climate through education and outreach. This is a vivid account of one man’s efforts to make sense of political tensions, racial hatred, and religious misunderstandings.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
Powerful Message • Heartfelt Memoir • Educational Content • Inspiring Story • Nuanced Discussion

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Dr Ayaz Virji tells his family story, and it broke my heart. This is an emotional listen, but it also lays out a lot of information about the Muslim faith. It gets political because we live in a politicized world, and he lays out events in a time line that reflects what was happening around his community, and in the United States in general. Don't bother listening if you have already drawn all your lines in the sand. But if you are open to hear about another faith and how our present culture affects individuals, give this a listen.

This is not entertainment.

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The story shares the heartfelt reaction to various events that others might consider innocuous. They are clearly harmful. Dr. Virji reminds us that we are all human, and have a duty to each other.

From the heart

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Thank you, Dr. Ayaz Virji, for making time to write and narrate this powerful book of hope, love, peace and courage. I was fortunate to hear your outstanding "Love Thy Neighbor" presentation with Pastor Mandy at Southwest Minnesota State University. I was deeply grateful to hear your story and learn more about your Islam faith. At the time, I wished more people in our country could hear you and your story. Now, I will highly recommend your book to others, including my students and colleagues at SMSU. God bless you, your beautiful family, your medical practice, your mission of dispelling myths about Islam, of spreading love and respect.

Thank You, Dr. Virji, for This Book of Hope

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I enjoyed this memoir immensely . As a Caucasian east coaster who spent many years in the Midwest as an educator, I can relate to the author’s journey. I’m back on the east coast outside Boston. With two immigrant Muslim neighbors in medicine , I’ve shared this title. I do hope it can help them navigate the reality of their choices in this culture. Of course most people I know are concerned about the political / cultural divide and navigating the hateful undercurrents. Respect and love are the answer in this book, giving the reader some hope. May we keep trying as the author is doing. It’s a gift that he didn’t leave the USA in my opinion.

An Informative Memoir to Recommend

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Absolutely fantastic story that covers many difficult topics and tackles them with nuance and great discussion. The ending is fitting as well because it doesn't end conclusively with some neat bow around it. Theirs still a lot left to figure out.

Great story that captures complexity and nuance

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