Zarqa tells with much humour and sarcasm what life is like for a feminist who is a practicing Muslim but constantly questioning why the traditional religious practices are followed when they do not make sense to her.
Some of the chapters cover her issues growing up such as her very hairy legs and using her father's razor secretly to shave them, her days as a counselor at Muslim summer camp, then later as an adult, facing the circumcision of her baby son, traveling to the Hajj which is funny but also explains what a devout Muslim does at the Hajj, preparing her first Eid dinner for 100 quests, volunteering to wash dead bodies in prep for their funeral, and some stress with her journalism teacher, Stuart Mclean. Funny, irreverent but also coming from someone who follows her faith and believes. ( )

I couldn't put it down. I was reading it, walking around the grocery store and generally not paying attention: "are Brussels sprouts okay?" Sure. "Do we need candy?" Yes. "I think I am going to buy this deep fryer (deep fried foods make me sick) because apparently you can deep fry everything!" Whatever you think is best... Thankfully, we didn't really come home with a deep fryer.

Zarqa Nawaz really did belong in journalism, or at least writing. She brings a lovely sense of humour to struggling between two worlds and, well the oddities she brings to life (thankfully, her husband Sami seems incredibly patient). I rather enjoyed the details I learned of Islam, overbearing but loveable mothers, and her antics. I am grateful that the title was "Laughing All the Way to the Mosque," as I think people understood my random bursts of out-loud laughter seeing the title.

Actually, I could see similarities win myself, which may have made the book more enjoyable for me and a matter of personal taste. You cannot enjoy this book if you cannot laugh at people without judgment: if you think any laughing at people is derogatory, you'll hate this book; if you judge people for being different, like they must be less than to be funny, you are going to miss some of the humour and all of the heart. Also, while there are some stories about her life during Little Mosque, this is about Nawaz's life and not the show.

I only had two criticisms for the book: the childhood stories were so good, I really thought there should have been more; and the spacing was rather empty, making the book too short. Still, it is not enough to make me dislike the book. I am keeping this book to re-live the laughter and for a little Canadiana. ( )

Each chapter reads like a sitcom. The narrator/author is crazy in a Seinfeld way. Not a crazy I can sympathize with. Some insight into Canadian Muslim culture, however. ( )

Loved most of the book...love Nawaz's humor, and in chapters like the one on the Hajj, and on dying, Muslim-style, there's beauty as well as humor. There were a few chapters I could've skipped. I do feel like I learned more about Islam. ( )

Charming and funny, no great insights here but very enjoyable. I am eager to see her show Little Mosque on the Prairie.

I esp liked reading about her experience at Mecca and the death of her father-in-law, both of which were breautifully written and very moving chapters. ( )