Imagine this: You are a graduate of the UW Business School. You have worked as a research analyst in the IT sector for seven years. You are good at what you do and have followed a successful career path.

Now imagine this: You drop everything, buy a one-way ticket to Paris. You then find that Paris is not a challenge, so you explore the Middle East, alone and without a plan.

This is exactly what UW alumna Maliha Masood did. Like many dazed and confused undergraduates, Masood was torn between the practical choice of leading a steady career and following her heart. She chose the latter, and since returning to the United States, has written a book relating her story.

“When I was growing up, I used to memorize capitals of countries,” Masood said. “My dad would always quiz me, and whenever I got to the Middle Eastern countries, I was so intrigued by that region. It was so abstract. I was just so drawn to the region.”

Masood was born in Pakistan but moved to Seattle in 1982.

“I literally crossed an ocean to get to Seattle, and part of my identity hovers out there,” she said. “But the lifestyle that I can lead in Seattle has given me a lot of depth. I like hiking and backpacking, and I’m sure I wouldn’t be doing those things if I were still in Pakistan. Seattle has given me a strong sense of individuality.”

By traveling throughout the Middle East, Masood said she realized the invalidity of many common stereotypes.

“Stay away from the politics and focus on a common ground,” she advised. “It makes those people a lot more understandable. These people worry about jobs and have the same problems as we all do.”

During her travels, Masood and a friend visited Jordan, where this was apparent.

“While there, we went to a coffee shop much like Starbucks and ended up making some college friends,” she said. “Of course, all I wanted to talk about was politics and their opinion on that, but they wanted to talk about Hollywood and Baywatch. They would go on the Internet and chat using instant messaging. They are crazy about Western culture. … We talked about Friends, Joey, Chandler and Monica. We assume that all Muslims and Middle Eastern citizens hate us, but it’s not across the board. The assumption that they hate us is just not accurate.”

The stereotype that Muslim women are servile and utterly oppressed is also inaccurate, Masood said. In a lot of the major cities, such as Damascus or Beirut, there were girls with head scarves who were wearing tight clothes.

“The whole idea of being modest was dismissed as head scarves were worn almost like a fashion statement,” she said.

Masood returned to the United States just 10 days before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. She realized upon her return that she should share her stories with the rest of the world. The product was Zaatar Days, Henna Nights: Adventures, Dreams and Destinations Across the Middle East, published in December 2006.

“The book is what I call a travel memoir,” Masood said. “At the time I was traveling, I did not know I would later be writing about it, but that is why the memoir is so real. The entire book was drawn up by memories. I would hope that this book gets people asking questions. We make a lot more progress by asking better questions.”

Exposing Islam and the culture of the Middle East is crucial to our understanding of that region and the subsequent conflict, she said.

Jonathan Brown, an assistant professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, agreed.

“The more that Americans see that Islam is not something foreign, but rather something that is part of American society, the less threatening or bizarre it will seem,” Brown said. “I’ve found that the most common stereotype among American students about Islam is that there is this one monolithic entity called Islam that is always the same wherever and whenever you find it.Of course in reality Muslims have very diverse beliefs and practices.”

Currently, Masood is promoting her book by giving talks at colleges as well as holding book readings. She is also leading a non-governmental organization called Diwaan, which promotes interactive learning through dialogues and plays.

“A lot of people relate to it because the book inspires,” Masood said. “It’s not just about Islam or the Middle East; it is also a coming-of-age story. I have people from all kinds of backgrounds saying they enjoyed the book. Frat boys have come up to me and have said that the book was great.”

Reach reporter A.J. Yoon at features@thedaily.washington.edu.