40 Days & 1001 Nights

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To understand a people, one must live among them for 40 days, an Arabic proverb that Tamalyn Dallal embraced as she sought to uncover the realities of the Muslim world. Leaving her glamorous South Beach lifestyle behind, she embarked on a journey to dispel misconceptions about Muslims, immersing herself in five countries for 40 days each without revealing her identity as a renowned bellydancer. Her adventure begins in Aceh, Indonesia, where the tsunami is seen as divine, and life pauses five times daily for prayer. Next, she travels to the Siwa Oasis in the Sahara, home to Berber farmers whose traditional ways face threats from environmental degradation and tourism. In Zanzibar, she falls under the spell of the Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club, learning about local culture, the heroin trade, and an all-women spirit channeling community. In Jordan, she connects with diverse groups, including nomadic Bedouins and Palestinian refugees, gaining insight into their lives and struggles. Finally, she visits the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China, where modernity meets tradition among the Uyghur Muslims. This journey offers a fresh perspective on a world often misunderstood, revealing a tapestry of stories that are surprising, delightful, and sometimes shocking.