Finding Peace in the Holy Land: A British Muslim Memoir

277 Pages·2018·2.92 MB·English

by  Lauren Booth

Absorbing and forthright. Whatever you think of Lauren Booth’s politics, Islam or her message, this book is
a fascinating read. I couldn’t put it down.
Nicky Campbell, broadcaster and presenter
A captivating modern pilgrimage. Booth’s road to Mecca offers a precious and unique insight into the
modern Islamic reality.
Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, Author, Academic, Dean Cambridge Muslim College
Poignant, moving and funny... brilliantly joined up writing and joined up thinking..
Victor Lewis Smith, TV and Film producer
In this engaging memoir she bares her soul and shares with us her journey down the road of life to the land
of faith. As she retraces for the reader the many steps of her excursion one cannot help laughing with her,
crying with her and sharing her indignation, pain and triumph. This is a volume not easily put down. I
would highly recommend it for anyone wishing to learn about one of most fascinating Muslim personalities
of our time.
Imam Zaid Shakir, co-founder, Zaytuna Institute, California
As she challenges injustice and oppression, Booth finds hope, meaning, and salvation in the cauldron of the
Middle East. An engaging, intelligent, and highly relevant memoir.
CJ Werleman, author of ‘Koran Curious
Finding Peace in the Holy Land is the conversion story of a woman truly of our times with a connection to
world-changing events. What makes a good book? Well, it needs to be a good read and this book is
certainly that. It should make you laugh and it did that for me. It should make you cry. Got me there. At
least four times! Finding Peace in the Holy Land though is more than just a good book. I think it’s a great
book. It has made a genuine, lasting, impact on me and I’m sure it will do the same to you.
Abdur Raheem Green, Chairman and co-founder Islamic Education and Research Academy (IERA), UK
This book is one that everyone should read about a woman’s journey to her truth. You will not put it down.
Greta Berlin, Oil Company Consultant
Read this incredible spiritual journey. A master piece of human endeavour, discovery, faith and trials. A
must read for all.
Yusuf Chambers, Da’ee and Community Activist
How did a whisky drinking, white middle-class journalist fall in love with and wholeheartedly embrace
Islam? As honest as it is entertaining, Finding Peace in the Holy Land is a unique account of East meets
West. It takes you on a journey from Hampstead to the Hajj in the company of Prime-ministers and
Palestinians.
Rahim Jung, TV Presenter, Film Producer, Activist
Finding Peace in the Holy Land is a fascinating insight into the life and work of Lauren Booth. Though
many know Lauren through her professional journalism, TV and radio appearances, and public speaking,
and of course as Tony Blair’s sister-in-law, this book shines a light on her many personal experiences and
her passionate work as a campaigner for human rights and democracy around the world.
Lauren’s life is an inspiration for all Muslims, a lesson in embracing the religion of Islam, and using skills
and talents to better the lives of others. I believe this memoir will both entertain and move all who read it to
seek out opportunities to make the world a better place.
Sheikh Ramzy, Imam and Director of Oxford Islamic Information Centre
A remarkable spiritual and personal journey with unique insights to illuminate all kinds of reader.
Peter Gould, designer and entrepreneur
Beautifully written, a candid and engaging quest for truth. Above all, a message of hope.
Farooq Murad, Director General, The Islamic Foundation, UK

Finding Peace in the Holy Land: A British Muslim Memoir
First published in England by Kube Publishing Ltd
Markfield Conference Centre
Ratby Lane Markfield Leicestershire
LE67 9SY United Kingdom
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.kubepublishing.com
© Lauren Booth, 2018 All rights reserved
The right of Lauren Booth to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance
with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
Cataloguing-in-Publication Data is available from the British library
ISBN 978-1-84774-118-9 Hardback
ISBN 978-1-84774-117-2 Paperback
ISBN 978-1-84774-119-6 ebook
Cover Design: Inspiral Design
Cover Author Image: Anne Bloom
Typesetting: Nasir Cadir
Printed by: Mega Basim, Turkey
Dedication
For my mother and my twin lights Birdy and Lolly
Thanks Sooty!
For Bilad al-Sham and all oppressed peoples awaiting their time.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Contents
Foreword
Prologue
1. Paper Aspirations
2. Keeping the Faith
3. Hot As Hell
4. Clown of Renown
5. Laughing For Labour
6. Just Breathe
7. Arabophobia
8. Jerusalem Syndrome
9. Hypocrisy to Hope
10. Welcome to the Jungle
11. In Search of Meaning
12. Without a Paddle
13. The Test of Life
14. The Green Light
15. Which Road to Take
16. Toward the Straight Path
17. Staying Human
18. Hungry for Truth
19. Called to Prayer
20. Back Home in Gaza
21. Imran and Waziristan
22. Faith of Our Fathers
23. A New Way of Life
Epilogue
Photographs
Foreword
IN THE NINETIES, I was asked to write a diary about my accidental (unauthorized)
public role as ‘Blair’s sister-inlaw’. Publishers wanted tittle-tattle, a cartoon
version of the celebrity culture in the shallows of which I gaily paddled.
‘No thanks,’ I said, sorry to disappoint you. The world really does not need
another gossipy, name-dropping, treemurdering tell-all.
Then, in 2012, the idea of writing a memoir was resurrected for me during a
speaking tour of the US for the Muslim Legal Fund of America. In a gym
attached to a mosque, I presented some of the weird and wonderful events I’d
lived through, from the rainforests of Australia to the deserts of Egypt. During
the Q and A session, a boy of about eight jumped up and down until the
screeching microphone was handed to him.
‘Excuse me,’ he said. ‘Did any of that really happen?’
It was a valid question, and one which I took seriously. Had I really travelled
across continents, tracing a gradual route from a secular life of alcohol and
parties to living in the way of a people who had lived 1,400 years ago? Had I
gone to sleep in a mosque in a far off land and woken up a Muslim, as I had said
in that hall?
A week after the audience’s laughter had faded, I opened my diary drawer
back home. Sat on the floor with my daughters, we rifled through decades of
scrawled upon scraps of paper tied together into broken, sand-dusted,
waterdamaged, notebooks. After an hour of laughter (theirs) and some nostalgic
tears (mine), we had to admit that as unlikely as it seemed that stuff, and more,
had all happened.
‘Dibs I get the diaries when you die, Mum.’ Charming.
As for Islam, if you’d asked me about it when I was fifteen, I would have said
it was a foreign faith all about making girls into doctors, dentists and
subservient, docile, house slaves.
Islam, as a practical way of life reflecting an ancient ethical example, was
completely unknown to me until I was thirtyeight. As I had travelled around the
West Bank, writing reports for British newspapers, my lack of knowledge of the
journalistic etiquette of penning a story from the Occupied Territories turned out
to be both a risk and a blessing. It allowed me to be led by the people of the
region, rather than their politicians. And that experience awoke in me an
empathy for which my life as an actress and then as a photo by-line columnist
had dulled.
The Muslims I met, living under such oppressive conditions, tried to guide
me away from anger towards calm reflection and hope. Inevitably, I picked up
the Muslims book of guidance: The Holy Qur’an. That’s when my understanding
of life, the universe and everything was flipped on its head.
In western terms, the life described here began as a soap opera. It proceeded
(for a bit) as a glossy rom-com, then revealed itself to be the same as each other
short trip from womb to tomb: a quest for meaning.
So here it is then: A life of drama, laughter, sadness, laughter (not a typo) and
finally relief. Anything good or beautiful within these pages is a blessing from
God. He alone do I thank and He alone do I praise for all things.
Yup, there’s a lot of mentions of God on the way, so buckle up.
Let’s travel together a while.
In peace and solidarity.
Lauren Booth