My Name Is Bilal

By Asma Mobin-Uddin MD M.D., Barbara Kiwak (Illustrator)

A boy hides his identity until a teacher's gift reveals his true heritage.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 186 ratings

32 pages

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Bilal, new to school and fearing ridicule, considers hiding his Muslim identity. Witnessing his sister's bullying, he contemplates changing his name to fit in. But when Mr. Ali, a teacher who shares his faith, gives him a book about Bilal Ibn Rabah, the first to call to prayer, Bilal embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Can he embrace his heritage and find strength in his name? This story explores the challenges of identity and the courage to be oneself.

From the publisher

A young boy wrestles with his Muslim identify until a compassionate teacher helps him to understand more about his heritage. After a family move, Bilal and his sister Ayesha attend a new school where they find out that they may be the only Muslim students there. Bilal sees his sister bullied on their first day, so he worries about being teased himself, thinking it might be best if his classmates didn’t know that he is Muslim. Maybe if he tells kids his name is Bill, rather than Bilal, then they will eave him alone. But when Bilal’s teacher Mr. Ali, who is also Muslim, sees how Bilal is struggling. He gives Bilal a book about the first person to give the call to prayer during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. That person was another Bilal: Bilal Ibn Rabah. What Bilal learns from the book forms the compelling story of a young boy grappling with his identity.

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