The Path of Islam by Nguyễn Phương Mai

I got to know The Path of Islam (Con Đường Hồi Giáo) by Nguyễn Phương Mai through a Blog recommendation. The promise of a personal journey through the Middle East, told from the perspective of a Vietnamese author, immediately sparked my curiosity. The book's cover even reminded me of a photo I once took during my trip to Singapore, creating a small but meaningful visual connection. More than that, I wanted to see the region through her eyes, to follow her footsteps, and to understand her experiences traveling across a part of the world I've always dreamed of visiting. Without hesitation, I ordered the book online.

When it arrived, I was so thrilled. The colorful, vibrant cover and the photographs scattered throughout the pages all hinted at a journey that would be rich and profound.

The Path of Islam is the travel-memoir and cultural exploration of her nine-month journey through 13 Islamic countries during the Arab Spring by Nguyễn Phương Mai, a Vietnamese professor at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands. With a Ph.D. in Intercultural Communication, she chose to step beyond academic theories and media filters. Instead, she set out to immerse herself directly in the local cultures and beliefs of the Islamic world, to become, as she says, "a student of life".

Her route mirrored the historical expansion of Islam from Mecca over 1,400 years ago --- west through North Africa into Europe, and east through India to Southeast Asia. She passed through Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and ended in Spain.

Her journey itself was an act of bravery, from its conception to every step of execution. Even more so because it happened during the Arab Spring, a time of political upheaval, protests, and civil unrest. She entered war zones, countries without stable governments, and places where protest was part of daily life. 

Reading the book felt like walking alongside her, step by step, city by city. She dives deep into conversations, rituals, and cultural details. Her observations are bold and insightful, sometimes even humorous. She expresses her thoughts confidently, whether in conversations with friends, locals she meets along the way, or through her writing.

Her experiences were rich and varied, from staying with local families and immersing herself fully in everyday life, to being guided to hidden places by friends and exploring well-known tourist sites. She met new companions in bars, shared visa fees with travel buddies. She interviewed locals, followed a reporter to the headquarters of a revolutionary organization in Egypt, etc.

What I appreciated was how each chapter focused on a specific theme or experience unique to that country. For example,

• Saudi Arabia - "Forbidden Palace": where she struggled to start her journey due to strict visa regulations and could only enter the country through a clever transit flight arrangement.

• Syria - "Blood in the Labyrinth": chaotic and suspenseful. She even found herself caught in a chase on the street. It reminded me of scenes from Prison Break, which I recently rewatched.

• Oman - "Never-ending Fairy Tale": calm, beautiful, and filled with kind locals and stunning nature.

• Egypt - "The Sphinx Never Sleeps": where travel frustrations collided with ancient wonder.

One of her strongest insights from the journey was how she felt the power of religion and faith. It is undeniable across these countries, faith is a force that influences politics, guides family traditions, and lives deeply within each person.

Although the book was published in 2014, over a decade ago, I feel its essence still resonates. The political and economic situation in many of these countries may have changed in one way or another, but the deep cultural and spiritual layers she explored remain. With today's global tensions, like the ongoing Israeli - Palestinian armed conflict, issues related to religion and politics continue to persist. They never truly fade. They evolve, reappear, continue to shape the world.

The book is packed with cultural insight, historical context, reflections on prejudice and freedom, and rich lived experiences. However, it doesn't dwell too much on personal thoughts or inner processes. She does share personal stories, like navigating visa challenges, being robbed, or couch-surfing with strangers, but I found myself wishing for more personal moments, more emotional reflections. Perhaps that's just my style as a reader, I tend to seek the person behind the page. I believe that emotional depth could have made the story even more compelling and memorable.

Still, a few lines at the beginning of the book really stayed with me:

"A big wind can put out a small fire, but it will only make a big fire stronger. Thank you to my wind".

And another:

"Before each trip, I tried to erase prejudice and imagination. I emptied my mind. No expectations. No predictions. I was a daredevil with an open, naked heart. I walked the road with a blank page, ready to be filled, to be transformed".

These words, simple but powerful, reflect her courage, openness and passion. 

 

I would recommend this book to anyone curious to learn more about history, religion, politics of Islamic countries, from culture and customs to clothing and conversations, the perspective of locals and everyday life across the Middle East and North Africa. It offers a view not from the outside looking in, but from within these countries, through the eyes of a traveler who chose to cross borders, listen, and learn on the ground. This journey opens a window into a complex and deeply human world. As she herself mentioned upon returning from the trip, she felt even more confused than when she began.

Quoted and translated from the book

"Any preconceived notion about the Middle East can be shattered by totally opposite stories"

"It turns out the Middle East is not the gray picture often painted by terms like "radical Islam", "terrorism", or "gender inequality", but rather a vibrant tapestry woven from thousands of years of cultural depth. It holds breathtaking architectural wonders, a modern and often dazzling lifestyle, yet also carries deep concerns about national identity, along with tragedies and values that are complex and not easily judged as simply right or wrong" 

Reading her story reminded me of my own dreams, to visit countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nepal or Bhutan, where I already have friends. I know it will take time, preparation, courage, and budget. But I don't need to do it all at once. And I'd love to experience those journeys with friends by my side, not alone. Maybe when I'm older, when the time is right, I'll begin that journey. Because I believe real experience is the most beautiful kind.

I rate this book: 7/10

I rate her courage and strength: 10/10

Hanoi, July 27th, 2025