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Now They Call Me Infidel: Why I Renounced Jihad for America, Israel, and the War on Terror is a 2006 memoir and critique by Egyptian-American author and human rights activist Nonie Darwish, published by Sentinel (an imprint of Penguin Random House). The book details Darwish's life growing up in the Middle East, her father's role as an Egyptian intelligence officer involved in fedayeen raids against Israel, and the cultural and religious influences that shaped her early views on Islam, Jews, and the West. It chronicles her conversion from Islam to Christianity, her immigration to the United States, and her evolving perspectives on Islamic extremism, jihad, and the treatment of women and minorities in Islamic societies. Darwish uses her personal story to argue against what she perceives as inherent violence and intolerance in Islamic teachings while expressing support for America, Israel, and conservative values.
The memoir gained significant attention for its bold criticisms of Islam and has been positioned within conservative and pro-Israel circles, making Darwish a prominent figure among the 'Conservative Right.' It explores themes such as the hatred of Jews and Christians in the Middle East, the tolerance of social injustices under Islamic rule, and the blaming of external powers like America and Israel for regional problems. Darwish describes her transformative trip to Israel and discusses the presence of Islamic extremism in the United States. The book has been cited in academic works on Islamic terrorism and has contributed to debates on cultural assimilation and religious reform.
Critics have praised it for providing an insider's perspective on radical Islam, while others have accused it of oversimplifying complex issues or promoting Islamophobia. Nonetheless, it became a best-seller and solidified Darwish's role as an advocate for peace and human rights from a reformed viewpoint.