Irshad Manji: Islam’s Chance for Peace
Every time I see Muslims praying with their heads to the dirt and their butts in the air, I can’t help but think of this symbolic posture as that of complete submission. Think about it — in that particular position, one is completely vulnerable and exposed. Do you think religion, in and of itself, devises these symbols of submission randomly? I think not. Religion once again raises its ugly head above the pious pretentiousness of required reverance and dutiful submission and wields it power over its believers. It has turned ordinary people into supplicating robots who cannot possibly think for themselves.
My comments here may seem to be irreverent and disrepectful but if uttered by another Muslim, it could get them killed. What is this power? And why are millions of moderate Muslims not speaking out about the human rights abuses and radical Islalmist agenda of jihad and martyrdom? It is said that only a very small fraction of Muslims are radical. If this is so, why are they not doing something about this shameful tyranny of their very own religion?
I have been curious about this for some time so when I caught Irshad Manji on the TV the other day on a panel of speakers concerning global terror, I was mesmerized. She is the author of a brave book about Islam’s failure in allowing fellow Muslims to think for themselves. The book is called The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith. 
And true to religious tyranny, since writing the book she has received so many death threats that she had to install bullet proof windows in her home. She has become the “star attraction on the jihadist death-lists”.
But the irony of her intention is that she doesn’t condemn the Quran or Islam. Instead, all she is looking for is reform. She is looking for the same reform that Christianity went through in the sixteenth century. This is what the Pope was talking about when he quoted so-called “blasphemy” regarding Islam by calling them an “immature” religion. It is an immature religion and they are way past the time for reformation. So, the Pope was right on target and I admire him for not apologizing for his comment since it was true.
Manji boldly states that her concern about radical Islam should be the concern of all people of the world because unchecked, the “jihadists” battle will rage its way to our city streets and into our everyday lives. And, then, we will be forced to deal with it. So, how do we deal with radical Islam? Well, Manji has a plan and it is very intriguing. She states that in the 12th century, Islam took a very political turn. The leaders at that time were making attempts to unify the populace. They wanted to control their empire and keep their subjects submissive so they installed a totalitarian culture that obliterated independent reasoning and thinking and basically froze debate within Islam.
With Muslims not able to reason for themselves, they looked to and became dependent on their Mullahs and outside authorities, just as it is today. But before this period, Islam was in its golden age from about 750 to 1250 CE. The greatest Muslim philosopher, Ibn Rushd, championed the freedom to reason. This was called “ijtihad” which is what Manji is trying to get other Muslims to bring back. She wants all Muslims to be able to apply reason and reinterpretation to the message of the Quran and give all Muslims permission to think.
Of course, this flies in the face of “fundamentalists” who not ever dare to question the “word of Allah”. (Hmmm…that sounds familiar. It seems that other religions also claim their holy book to be the word of God. How many “words of God” are there?) It’s these fundamentalists who refuse to believe in independent reason and it is what is driving the blind allegiance to radical beliefs. These, of course, are the radical jihadists or as she calls them the Islamofascits, who are behind the most destructive forms of religious faith gone wild.
But where are the moderates who can do something about this? Why don’t they step up? The same reason they don’t is the same reason they will stay subservient to their beliefs. They were taught for centuries never to question their holy book. If they do, then condemnation and ridicule will haunt them and in the case of Islam, even death threats. They are basically too afraid to speak up. But what Manji is doing to fight back is to institute basic reform and undermine the strangle-hold of Islam. She is attempting to empower women. She feels this is the way to awaken the Muslim world. She is reaching out to Muslim women all over the world and instilling within them the spirit of self-improvement and education. She hopes in doing this, she will empower women to begin to push back at the “shut up and believe” mentality of the tribe and the mullahs.
In order to provide a means to implement her plan, Manji has developed “Operation Ijtihad” which requires a large chunk of aid and national security budgets to go to small business loans for Muslim women. Micro-lending has found great success in India with the Grameen Bank for which I have also written an article explaining its methods. She feels helping Muslim women achieve financial independence, not only encourages independent thinking, but helps half of the Muslim world see that there is a better way.
This is a serious fight against the agents of al-Quaeda that no army in the world could achieve. This one small woman, alone, against the multitudes of fanaticism, courageously stands up against the tyranny to live for her ideas. She used to have a bodyguard but she refuses now saying that she wants to send the message that it is possible to dissent and not live in fear. Her mission, as she has stated in many interviews, is to give people, and particularly Muslim women, hope and optimism in the face of overwhelming fear and submission.
One thing that really impressed me about Manji was her adamant statement of the obvious that the Quran is like every other holy book — “it’s all over the map”. And it’s okay for us to think about it independently and question its authority. I wish more religious people would realize this. Religion, in and of itself, is not destructive. It is the blind submission to it as literal truth that is killing all of us. We need to rise above the dusty, ancient tabloids and look at them for what they are. They are an ancient tradition of words by mere mortals attempting to describe deeds of other mere mortals who were ultimately forced upon the pedestal of belief for motives less than spiritual. And what is stopping us from seeing this is blind faith. We need to take the blinders off once and for all, and see the light of reason and independent thinking. Until then, we are all doomed to live by the many swords of religion.
22 Comments so far
New Scientist
The Onion
Media Matters
Newsvine
Associated Press
I wish more peopole knew about the long tradition of tolerance in the Middle East. Yes, there have been infractions but the West’s record isn’t exactly sterling.
There is a cool site that makes much of the Middle Eastern tradition of tolerance available in English. I understand the official launch date is March 1st but there are some neat things up already.
http://www.peaceathomepeaceintheworld.com
I agree, the West has not lived up to its image of moral decency and democratic freedoms. I have written many articles exposing the U.S.’s record on human rights violations and imperial democracy.
What the article is exposing is one woman’s battle to bring reason and tolerance back to Islam. I realize that Islam itself preaches this but the radical extremists are obliterating this from public view. Moderates need to stand up to the mullahs and religious clerics and tell them — No More! We want to think for ourselves, co-exist and end all the violence.
Thanks for the comment.
Great post! Ms. Manji is such a positive change agent. She shows strong courage even in the midst of violence and death threats. I read in the Detroit Free Press she’s the feature of a PBS documentary, Faith Without Fear, that will air later this spring in the America at a Crossroads series.
Detroit Free Press Article on Irshad Manji
Piper
I will keep a look out for the PBS special about her. She is a remarkable woman, and a leader for not only Muslims, but for all people. Thanks for the comment. We hope to see you again.
hi,
i disagree with you totaly because you need your specialy tailored islam, instead of understanding real teachings of islam and prophet Muhammad and why jihad and its MUST conditions you’ll see the completness of this great religion, lady i assure you if you do you’ll see, feel and love for the first time the first perfect thing on EARTH Islam.
Ashraf
ready for any q’s plls email me on:
ashrafezzeldin@hotmail.com
Wow
Some article, and from someone who do not know anything.
you are putting Religion and goverment rule at the same spot which is not true.
Submission? you bet as that is what riligion is all about not Just in Islam but all religions.
As why dont the Muslims (And that is another error as it should be the Arab world) dont talk or demand the human rights well lady read and get informed as most of them under a dictatorship rule. Just like the powers that the pope and the Vatican had years a go.
so get informed and put your facts right before writing anything. It is not the Islamic religion that needs reform just the rulers of those countries that are using religion as the power to rule.
What you are writting is an example of misinformed or not informed at all.
AND YES only few muslims are radicals and a large group of that radical “group” was given a reasone to be like that.
Visit any Muslim country and you will see an example of GOOD people.
WHat you are writting is very wrong it would be just like someone writing about all christians are radicals and rasists because the is the KK Clan and others, it is just a small group of People having very bad ideas as simple as that.
Me — sorry, but for someone criticizing another for being informed and educated, I expect him/her to be able to write correctly and be able to put together well formed thoughts. You have not done neither. The reason YOU are wrong, is their religion is a major catalyst for such political control. Without it, there would be a lesser likelihood for such government. Therefor, religion plays a large part in the vicious cycle that the Middle East exists in.
One example would be the very fact that Israel, although existing within the same region, is not a dictatorship. Why, because Judaism is not conducive to such governmental rule.
It is the age old argument, “What came first? The chicken or the egg?” You are writing as if this is an objective argument that is black and white, yet it is not at all. So you my friend are obviously the one falling down the rabbit hole. When you finally stop and realize that your facts are nothing but opinions and irrational invectives, you may start again and address us with respect and intelligence.
Good luck.
Well first of all English is my 3rd languge. didnt give it much thought as I juat read the not so Intelligent article you wrote… guess have to come down to your level as you wouldnt understand otherwise.
Isreal is a bad example as it is NOT an ME Country it became one 50-60 years ago.
And if you say that is the case why then in ME countries it is tolerated by the Government to bad mouth God BUT you are not allowed to even give a hint or question the Ruler?
Must of the things pined to Islam, are not “ISLAMIC” they are just tribal and cultural things related to the region.
In your argument it would be that ALL Germans are bad people, is that true? Not at all so by judging a nation or in this case religion by one man or few is totaly unthikable and racist.
You are the one sitting in your hole and dont want to look out, do more reasearch better yet do some feild work maybe just maybe you will get your eyes opened.
People like you are the major reasone why our world is like this full of hate and racisem, you are selling fear and hate, if that is your only way of making a living then I feel sorry for you.
Anyway I didnt like your respond so childesh.
What I was trying to tell you dont write about something you dont know anything about or have a HUGE knowlge about specialy something that is very sensetive.
Me — If you didn’t like my response, then you may want to change how you approach your comments. I did not like how you came to my blog and tried to tell me what I can and can’t write. Who are you to command anyone? Now, for the future, you have to be mindful of how you write your comments. When you are attacked, it is most likely due to how you wrote your original comment.
This article was written about an Islamic progressive that is trying to catalyze change within the world of Islam. The author of this article was writing about her ideas. She is Muslim, she is educated in the world of Islam and the Middle East. We just thought her ideas were fascinating and revolutionary.
Let’s move to your latest comment. I find your comment atrocious. It is all over the place, poorly written and riddled with illogical thought processes. When I criticized your writing, it was not your grammar, but your lack of cohesive thought. You’re jumping to conclusions, blaming us for things we didn’t say, pitting us as an enemy and demonizing us in your crusade in defending your insecurities.
Your comment is so ridiculous, I don’t even know how to respond. I am anything but a racist. I am anything but uncultured and uneducated.
The reason the East is warring with the West is because of people like you, not me. This subject can not be intelligently discussed without someone, like yourself, coming into the discussion blaming, insulting and shutting down any discourse. People like yourself just polarize the two parties and destroy any progress that could have been made.
If it was up to me, we would not be warring at all. We would use nothing but diplomacy and intellectual involvement. I would remove all American influence from the region. I think the human is an amazing animal, but religion can turn us into some of the nastiest creatures. So, it is religion of all kinds that I don’t like, the underlying human is what I hold in the highest regard.
Now, if you would like to actually have a polite discussion about this, I expect you to give reasons as to why you do not agree with us, citing some of our actual words. Support your theories and ideas, instead of just insulting ours. I am always willing to explore alternative ideas and perspectives, but I will not do it with people that are more worried about protecting their own insecurities through demonizing others than being open and honest.
Remember, you are in my virtual house; you came to me. I can always just ban you from my site if you continue to disrespect me.
[Deleted due to lack of intellectual substance. It’s called Blog4Brains for a reason. Enjoy!]
-Admin
I am a muslim my self and i love my religion just like a person who is jewish or cathlioc. I think being disrespectful is wrong because we are all human beings and we all came on this earth for a reason.Islam has been suffering just like other people and i think it is time we people(everybody) speak up.Like some people “WE ARE ALL FOR ONE, AND ONE FOR ALL.”
Thank you very much!!!:)
Hi hello, are you saying you agree with Irshad Manji, or are you suggesting that we are being disrespectful for writing what we wrote above? Hope you reply as I love to discuss these issues with people of other faiths. Take care and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
[Cerebrl]
I think your a [*I don’t have the intellectual capacity to make a good argument, so I just use expletives] who’s just trying to make money [**we don’t make money with this site. It is purely for hobby.] because it’s “in” to not like Muslims and write about them. I’m not Muslim myself, but do highly respect their religion. The core beliefs of Islam is [***it should be “are”, as beliefs, your subject, is plural] very similar to those of any other religion. Stop trying to bash peoples [***it’s people’s, by the way] religion and make money of it [**again, there is no money being made here].
*Deleted by admin, replaced with truth.
**Added by admin, this site is just for the passion of sharing ideas.
***Grammatical corrections.
To address the above commenter, although it’s obvious he didn’t read the whole article, just the first paragraph and then decides to go on a limbic fueled rant, I will say that these reactionary people are the reason nearly half of this country is so resistant to moving forward. Many of us have become so arrogant, narrow-minded and self-righteous that we cannot be critical of anyone, especially ourselves.
We have become submerged in our own political correctness, blinding ourselves to critical thought and use our emotional ties to religion and demonization to scapegoat our very own internal flaws that are rotting ourselves from within.
Thank you Wade Gibbson for reminding us of how far we have to go to become a better society. Take care; oh, and by the way, try actually making an argument instead of the neolithic, brain stem, verbal diarrhea that you are so obviously good at.
[Cerebrl]
admin for Blog4Brains
You are blind! OPEN UR EYES!
Zaynab, do you have anything to actually say, or … ? I don’t mind having an actual conversation about this topic. I actually don’t have a problem with Muslims, Christians, Buddhists or anybody, what I and many other people have problems with is how these religions can be used to coerce people into doing things for a theoretical god, blinding the followers into irrational thought and extreme division among all of us humans.
If we are to continue to grow as a species, we have to allow ourselves to be critical and to always question. That is what seperates us from 99% of all the other animals on the planet — the ability to question, evaluate and improve how we think, act and believe on the fly.
Anyways, my intent is not to piss people off, but to push the envelope and encourage people to think about the world around them. Take care, and hopefully we can have a civil discourse.
[Cerebrl]
who do u think u r?
u dont have any right to say all those crapy stuff about muslims
you dont now the religion yet so dont bother
talking
we r normal ppl just like others
y dont u ppl get it
Hey non, thanks for commenting, but actually we have all the right in the world to be critical of anything. That’s what makes us human. I understand that you want to live in a world where nothing is criticized, and people walk around like zombies being told what to do, what to say and how to act, but that is not my world. I like to really see … I mean really see what is going on around me. This article is not disrespectful of Islam, it is you that is being disrespectful of others by trying to shut down any critical, intelligent analysis of the world around them.
Thanks for commenting, but if that is all you have to say, then move it along, because this is not called Blog4Brains for no reason. Comments left need to have some intellectual substance, or they will be deleted.
[Cerebrl]
[Deleted: Inflammatory, non-substantive comment. Please see our terms and conditions]
- Admin
Non, I am sorry, but you are obviously incapable of having an intelligent conversation. You would rather just talk at people, and redirect all your insecurity, anger and fear onto others. This site is not about that. Understand that I did not delete your comment because of a differing point of view, I deleted it because it contained nothing but inflammatory language and had no substance. I warned you. Take care.
[Cerebrl]
hi
i have read ur comments
and ur words
and i beleieve that u have no right
to say things about muslims
just becasue u dont understand they religion yet
u shouldnt be saying bad things about them
i mean
how would u like it
if i started a huge fat book full of lies
about ur religion
if u dont like it
then we muslims dont either
the only thing us muslims want is
peace, love , and harmony
but now i see that ur not the person
who likes peace.
one day
in judgement day
u will say to us muslims
please give me a breathe or smell
from heaven
and u wished that u had neva
said bad things about us
and wished that u were muslim
from the beging
the hottest … — are you people for real, or do you all just go around spamming blogs about this same crap? I am closing down this comments section because of these superficial comments from individuals that do not take the time to read or evaluate any real critical opinion. If you cannot take criticism, sorry. Grow up. Without critical thought we are nothing.
[Cerebrl]