This year’s theme for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Driven Service. Beacon Press views their writers as leaders, charting the way to a better future with uncovered histories, cultural commentary, and more. Which is why, as AAPI Heritage Month wraps up, we’re putting the spotlight on the work of our Asian American writers. The following list of recommended reads—by no means exhaustive—honors their work and contributions to our society and American history at large. Read more →

Islamophobia has reared its ugly head again. As author and journalist Linda K. Wertheimer noted in her previous post, education about world religions couldn’t be more important in today’s climate. Education about other religions comes not only from the classroom, but also from the life stories of others. In his book Acts of Faith, interfaith leader Eboo Patel writes about the time he spent with his devout Muslim grandmother in India. In this excerpt, he recounts the invaluable lesson his grandmother gave him in what his faith stands for. Read more →

Eboo Patel writes about a James Baldwin essay that helped guide him as an activist and writer. Read more →

On the anniversary of King's death, Eboo Patel looks at his work through the lens of interfaith cooperation. Read more →

"In the history of the world, I don't know if anyone has ever been truly convinced of anything when staring into a shaking fist or a wagging finger. " Read more →

The controversy over Lowe's pulling its advertising from All-American Muslim says a lot about the kinds of bridges being built in America. Read more →

"Until then, the Quran for me was a book of personal spiritual guidance, a convening symbol for my religious community. But after 9/11, I viewed it as a balm for my country's pain," Read more →

The Unitarian Universalist Association's Common Read program has selected Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation. Read more →

Newt Gingrich's pro-Catholic, anti-Islam stance shows just how far we have come in America on issues of religious tolerance, and also how far we have to go. Read more →

Beacon Broadside asked several of our authors for their responses to the death of Osama bin Laden, and what they feel is required of them by their respective faiths. Read more →

Eboo Patel reflects upon the death of the leader of Al Qaeda and how we really overcome our enemies. Read more →

What the color line was to the 20th century, the faith line might be to the 21st. Read more →

Eboo Patel reflects upon a story of the Prophet that, to him, is a defining moment of Islam. Read more →

Out now: a new edition of Eboo Patel's acclaimed memoir with a new afterword by the author. Read more →

While one man and his small group of followers talk about burning copies of Islam's holy book, America's secular and religious communities speak up in solidarity. Read more →

American history is an arc toward freedom, dignity and inclusiveness for all. That will include Muslims, sooner or later. Read more →

Eboo Patel calls on the former President to condemn the current right-wing rhetoric surrounding Cordoba House. Read more →

Link Roundup: Take a look at how our authors have been celebrating and promoting their freedom this week. Read more →

Eboo Patel, founder and executive director of Interfaith Youth Core, won the 2010 Louisville Grawemeyer award in religion for his autobiography, Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation Read more →

"You won't see my speech on the evening news, though I believe that it was a far more accurate reflection of the tradition of Islam than the story that you saw looped on every channel, and headlined in print this morning." Read more →