Two Callings: Memoir of an American Muslim Social Worker by Dr. P. Aneesah Nadir: BOOK REVIEW
- Dr. Hoda Z. M. Amer
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
This memoir is titled, “Two Callings.” Written by Dr. Aneesah Nadir, it chronicles not just her life, but the life of her ancestors, the political and social changes that occurred since the 1950’s, and the evolution and establishment of the Muslim Mental Health field in the US. She delves into her two callings, a calling to Islam, and a calling to Social Work.
The book begins with a background and family tree of her origins. On one side, a seamstress and tailor from Barbados who made their way as immigrants to the US. On her mother’s side- freed slaves from the South who migrated to the North in search of freedom and dignity during the “Great Migration.” The memoir is illustrated with interesting excerpts from newspapers, as well as black and white photos of family members from the 19th century and beyond.
Dr. Aneesah was born in Jamaica, Queens, NYC, in 1956. Emmit Hill was murdered that same year. The 50’s, 60’s, 70’s were turbulent times in the US for the civil rights movement. Significant milestones were achieved in the struggle for social justice. In 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in a bus to a white man, which eventually led to the Supreme Court Ruling that segregation was unconstitutional. Desegregation began in schools, which was met by harassment and resistance from white communities, parents, segregationist politicians. The 1960’s witnessed lynchings, violence, and protests and assassinations- most significantly John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King. Witnessing the struggles of the colored community firsthand instilled within Dr. Aneesah a defiant sense of justice. She developed a strive and desire from a young age to make things “right,” though she didn’t know how that would be-- until much later.
Her parents struggled just as did many POC. She describes her parents as strong, proud individuals. Her father would tell them, “Straighten up and fly straight.” In other words, stay aligned on the goal, and stand up straight in dignity. Dr. Aneesah describes her religious upbringing in a religious Christian household as a source of inspiration and hope. Her mother would say, “The Lord will make a way somehow.”
In college the pivotal moment for Dr. Aneesah was when she was invited to a meeting of the Nation Of Islam. As the leadership of NOI changed and taught a more orthodox Sunni Islam, she became more interconnected with the teachings of Islam and the larger worldwide Muslim community. She felt connected to the teachings of the Prophet Mohamed SAS-- in particular his care for the vulnerable: the weak, the sick, the orphaned, the widow. She found in those teachings a mirror to her other calling, that of Social Work. She became the first Muslim in her family.
She graduated from college and became the first college graduate in her family.
The next phase of her life happens in Pheonix, Arizona. She moved there with her husband and kids, now married. She began to pursue her second calling, Social Work. She became the first and only Muslim woman on the faculty of Arizona State University of Social Work.
Dr. Aneesah merged her passion for community service and business with success, becoming the first Muslim woman to win the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Businesswoman award.
She went on to complete a PhD in social work. She made local programs building sister groups and youth groups. She developed early intervention programs and addressed domestic family abuse on an army base. She worked with the Maricopa County Public Health Department on similar issues.
Marriage is another area that she has dedicated much of her work to. Dr. Aneesah describes watching her parents’ marriage dissolve in the background of emotional and physical abuse. Afterwards, her mother had a mental health breakdown that took years to recover from. Later, when her own marriage faced challenges and dissolved, she became even more adamant to address this in the Muslim communities. She developed marriage courses, and established “Before the Nikah Marriage Institute,” which provides hundreds of single and married couples with counseling services and marriage courses. Later, she re-married her husband, a rare occurrence for most people, but it attests to her persona and his willingness to change. She says, “Forgiveness was not about forgetting. It was about releasing the grip of anger and fear so that love, trust, and faith could take root again.”
One of Dr. Aneesah's most significant achievements is she co-established the first Islamic Social Services organization in the US, known as ISSA-USA. This organization has been invaluable in providing advocacy and support for Muslim Mental Health Services in the US. This organization has been in effect since 1999.
In 2023 Dr. Aneesah was awarded the “Impact Award for Distinguished Achievement in Muslim Mental Health” at the the 17th Annual Muslim Mental Health Conference in Detroit, Michigan. The award was presented by my sister Dr. Mona Amer. I asked Mona how Dr. Aneesah’s work affected her as a Mental Health Professional, especially Muslim Mental Health. My sister described Dr. Aneesah as a giver of knowledge, a mentor, a fearless leader and advocate. In the 2000's my sister was preparing for her PhD dissertation. At the time, there were few Muslim Mental Health Professionals, and the post 9/11 atmosphere made research or academic progress difficult for Arab Americans like my sister. Dr. Aneesah spared no effort in guiding, supporting, sharing her own experiences and knowledge. She recognized the challenges my sister was facing, and afterwards, she acknowledged and celebrated my sister's achievements-- without bringing attention to or focusing on her own. Even more so, Mona describes Dr. Aneesah as a kind woman, someone who continues to send her messages of support and encouragement, even 20 years later.
They always say it takes a village, but in truth it takes the leaders of the village to lift others up. A true believer does not selfishly keep achievements to him/herself but paves the way and lifts the way for others to achieve their potential and goals. God bless Dr. Aneesah Nadir for her efforts in lifting and supporting entire communities, individuals, and the field of Muslim Mental Health Social Work in the US.
Dr. Aneesah ends the book with a letter to her future family:
“You are the fulfillment of the legacy of your ancestors- your grandparents and great-grandparents- who endured tremendous adversity yet continued to strive. They did not give up. And neither should you.”
I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a glimpse into the social and political atmospheres of the 1950’s and beyond; the struggles of POC in this country for social justice; understanding how the Muslim Mental Health field evolved and grew on the shoulders of this incredible African-Caribbean-American-Muslim-Woman who broke the glass ceilings. So that other women wouldn’t have to.
Comments