Donn Hutchison

Mohammad the Ninth Donn Hutchison

Mohammad is warned that he is going to the States to study; that he needs to concentrate on getting his degree and that he is not to get involved with an American-Christian co-ed. He smiles at the absurdity of the warning, as he has never dated, never kissed a girl, and never even held a girl's hand. Then he meets Sarah. Not only is she an American co-ed, but she has a Methodist mother and a Jewish father named Goldman. There are hurdles to jump, obstacles to overcome, and convincing to do, as the magnetism between Mohammad and Sarah draws them unavoidably together. The chasms of culture, language, and religion seem insurmountable; Mohammad's mother has picked out the perfect Palestinian wife for him; Sarah's parents are not too keen on the possibility of a Moslem son-in-law named Mohammad and would rather she marry the boy next door. It is a story of prejudice and compromise, of ignorance and understanding, of severing ties and unity. Neither Mohammad nor Sarah questions their love for each other, but they do wonder if love is enough.