Book Review: Hiding in the Light

Book Title: Hiding in the Light

Author: Rifqa Bary

Genre: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Christianity

My Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary is a powerful true story of a young Muslim girl who risked everything for Jesus. The pages of this book are filled with peril, pain, and perseverance-- and the personal love of a God Who never lets go.

Rifqa was born in Sri Lanka, where her family, friends, and community all worshipped Allah. As she says, "... I was too young, at five, to understand what Islam really meant for me and the people around me, but it was quite clear that this was who we were, what we would always be... who would ever feel the need to question something so settled and certain?" (Loc 149, ebook). 

But suddenly, her idyllic life turned much more sinister, as her father and mother began to abuse and neglect her. After moving to the U.S., Rifqa was drawn to the simple and personal faith she saw in her friends and neighbors who believed in Jesus. As time went on, God brought people into her life who caused her to challenge her family's faith. At age twelve, Rifqa placed her faith in Jesus and turned away from Islam. 

For four years, she kept her newfound faith a secret from her family. Her hunger for God's Word and yearning to worship with other believers grew deeper each day. She found creative ways to keep the terrible secret from her parents, who would certainly persecute her if they found out.

One terrible day, when Rifqa was sixteen, her family discovered her secret, and Rifqa ran away from home in search of religious freedom and safety from her family. Trusting in Jesus would cost her more than she ever could have imagined, but her perseverance and willingness to give up anything for Him is inspiring.

I highly recommend this book to anyone! Not only is it an exceptionally written page-turner, and a moving and inspirational true story; it is also a great insight into the Muslim culture, religion, and tradition. Muslim girls, especially, are held under tremendous bondage-- they have very little freedom and much responsibility to uphold their family's honor by fulfilling all the rules of the Qur'an. 

If you are looking for a book to challenge your faith and devotion to Christ, bring you to tears, and cause you to marvel at God's greatness, this book is for you! You will be inspired, challenged, and moved. 

For more information on Rifqa, read this page.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.  I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.