Culture | A siege in the capital

The forgotten tale of a hostage-taking in Washington in 1977

“American Caliph” recounts the saga of race and religion in thrilling detail

Hanafi Muslim leader Hamaas Abdul Khaalis shakes his fist at the Hanafi house in Washintton after spotting photographers outside, March 14, 1977. Khaalis was later taken to police headquarters for processing. (AP Photo/Charles Bennett)

American Caliph. By Shahan Mufti. Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 384 pages; $30

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Siege in the capital”

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From the November 26th 2022 edition

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