Megan B Rice, a devoted reader from Chicago, recently found herself at the center of a unique trend on TikTok, where young individuals are turning to the Qur’an to gain a better understanding of Islam. Known for starting a romance novel club on Discord and sharing book reviews on TikTok, Rice used her social media platform last month to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In an interview, Rice expressed her admiration for the unwavering faith of the Palestinian people and their ability to prioritize gratitude to God even in the face of adversity. Intrigued by these conversations, some Muslim followers suggested that Rice explore the Qur’an for deeper insights into the faith. Despite not having a religious upbringing, Rice took the initiative to organize a “World Religion Book Club” on Discord, inviting people from diverse backgrounds to study the Qur’an together.
As Rice delved into the Qur’an, she found a remarkable alignment between its contents and her own core belief system. The text, according to Rice, exuded anti-consumerism, anti-oppression, and feminism. Within a mere month, Rice embraced Islam by taking the shahada, the official profession of faith, and she even purchased hijabs to incorporate into her daily life.
According to The Guardian, Rice’s journey is not an isolated one. On TikTok, a growing number of young people are immersing themselves in the Qur’an to comprehend a religion that has often been unfairly portrayed by Western media. Videos under the hashtag “quranbookclub” have garnered a modest yet significant 1.9 million views, featuring users proudly displaying their newly acquired Qur’ans and sharing their initial experiences with its verses. The interest extends beyond gender boundaries, overlapping with the #BookTok community, where predominantly female users gather to discuss various books.
Zareena Grewal, an associate professor at Yale, acknowledges the uniqueness of this TikTok trend. Drawing a parallel to the immediate surge in Qur’an sales after 9/11, Grewal notes a crucial difference in the current scenario. People are not seeking the Qur’an to understand specific geopolitical events but rather to grasp the resilience, faith, moral strength, and character displayed by Muslim Palestinians.
Nefertari Moonn, a 35-year-old from Tampa, Florida, shares a similar sentiment. Describing herself as spiritual but not religious, she delved into her husband’s Qur’an to explore the source of strength that prompts individuals to turn to Allah in the face of death. Moonn’s emotional connection with the passages led her to take the shahada, marking her as a Muslim revert.
Misha Euceph, a Pakistani American writer and podcast host, has been running her Qur’an Book Club on Instagram since 2020. Euceph emphasizes the alignment of certain Qur’anic themes with the values of young, left-leaning Americans, citing the text’s encouragement of environmentalism and its anti-consumerist stance.
In the Qur’an, men and women are considered equals in the eyes of God, aligning with the feminist principles embraced by Rice and other TikTok users. Furthermore, the Qur’an engages with scientific explanations for creation, including verses covering the big bang and other theories. Rice notes the departure from traditional religious views that often conflict with scientific understanding, highlighting a refreshing embrace of science within the Islamic teachings.
Sylvia Chan-Malik, now an associate professor at Rutgers University, shares her experiences post-9/11 when hate crimes against Muslims surged. Intrigued by the stark contrast between media portrayals and the reality of Islam, Chan-Malik converted to Islam after her own research and interactions with Muslims.
According to Grewal, people often approach religious texts seeking confirmation of existing worldviews. TikTok users, she notes, are no exception, seeking the Qur’an to affirm progressive messages. Growing up amidst post-9/11 Islamophobia, Rice rejected stereotypes imposed on Muslim Americans but realized, through reading the Qur’an, that she had internalized some misconceptions.
For Rice, the initial motivation to read the Qur’an stemmed from empathy for Palestinians in Gaza. Today, it has become a significant aspect of her life. She encourages others, irrespective of their religious backgrounds, to explore the intimate aspects of faith as a means to cultivate empathy. Rice concludes, “You can grow empathy for someone by learning the most intimate parts of them, which includes their faith.”
