q and a

Your letters - posted June 15, 2005

Posted in Q & A on Jun 15, 2005

Posted June 15, 2005

“Hey Irshad, I just wanna tell you that I have finished reading the first chapter of your book, and regardless the points on which I disagree with you, which are in my opinion major points, I have to say it clearly: you opened my eyes on the actual reality which must be proven or denied; no matter what.” - Ammar, 17 years old (five months left to be 18), from Saudi Arabia

“Ms. Manji, I am a member of a reading group composed of Protestant ministers. We have just finished reading your book and found it very helpful. It caused us to raise afresh many questions concerning the fundamentalists among us… Not our group, thank God. We would urge you to write a positive statement about what you think the Koran says. You suggest various things in your book, especially near the end, but we would really like to hear you state what the Koran says to you as a believer. Do not be intimidated. Our great theologian, Karl Barth, said the best theology arises from the parish, ie. the living of the faith by lay people. More power to you.” - Neely

Irshad replies: Glad to be speaking many reverends at once — it’s so much more efficient that way! You’re right to point out that I “suggest various things” about the Koran toward the end of my book. But I don’t think I tip-toe around your challenge to make a positive statement about it; I think I meet that challenge head-on. Let me quote directly from Chapter 9 of my book:

    After so much exploring , my personal interpretation of the Koran leads me to three recurring messages. First, only God knows fully the truth of anything. Second, God alone can punish unbelievers, which makes sense given that only God knows what true belief is. (And considering the Koran’s mountain range of moods, it really would take the Almighty to know how it all hangs together.) Human beings must warn against corrupt practices, but that’s all we can do to encourage piety: warn. Third, our resulting humility sets us free to ponder God’s will — without any obligation to toe a dictated line. “Let there be no compulsion in religion,” states a voice in chapter 2 of the Koran. “Unto your religion, unto me my religion,” echoes another voice in chapter 109. In-between, there’s this: “If God had pleased, he would have made you all one people. But he has done otherwise…” Ain’t that the truth.

    My interpretation sheds light on why I, as a Muslim, can’t stay quiet about Islam’s supremacists, whether they’re extreme like Osama bin Laden or mainstream like my madressa teacher, Mr. Khaki. After reaching their own conclusions “without compulsion,” they turn around and prevent others from doing the same. At that point, the Koranically decreed duty to “warn” about practices that try the faith morphs into the Koranically denied permission to intimidate. By my reading, we should not only enjoy the freedom to explore; we have to ensure that this freedom exists for everyone. Anything less undermines God’s jurisdiction as the supreme judge and jury. Such individual, independent reasoning is logical, potentially righteous, and entirely compatible with the ideals I hold as a Westerner.

Now, Neely, is that not a positive statement about what the Koran tells me as a believer? If it’s not positive enough, I’d like to know why not.

One final point: I’m currently making a film about what what there is to LOVE in Islam. As I continue my spiritual journey, I’m focusing not on the trouble with my religion, but on its potential for beauty. Stay tuned.

“I am surprised that some people say you have to talk about the good things of Islam. That has nothing to do with the matter. In Germany in the 30s, Hitler did a lot of ‘good’ things for the German people, no more unemployment, etc. The Muslim Brotherhood and their affiliated groups like Hamas do ‘good’ things in schools, hospitals, social welfare, but what is their aim? To make Muslims swallow the pill of terror and dictatorship. You are brave to stand up for your freedom and the freedom of all Muslim women. I’m surprised there hasn’t been a fatwa on you so far.” - Yves, Switzerland

Irshad replies: I wish I could say there hasn’t been. Clerics have apparently published various fatwas in small newspapers throughout the Middle East. I know this because journalists write me with messages like this: “There was a death warrant against you in the local press today. Please be careful…” I will indeed be careful, but I will not be afraid.

“About Irshad:
Roses are Red
Her Blood is redder
God wants her DEAD
And we promise Him We’ll get her”
- anonymous

Irshad replies:

I’ve just chatted with God
He doesn’t recall asking you to murder
Maybe you misheard Him
When he said: “Hmmm… Hurt her?”

“No, boys,” He told you
“That’s not the way
Think and engage
Or don’t bother to pray”

“For I gave my creatures a gift
It’s called free will
You might hate how it’s used,
But it’s not yours to kill”

“Contemplate this
And if you’d still rather maim
The next guy reminds us,
Two can play that game…”

“Irshad, if you need to a place to stay while visiting San Francisco, me and my wife (who is a Presbyterian minister) will put you up. I have a weapons permit and can give you some protection. We are all children of Abraham.” - Gary

Irshad replies: Thanks for your generous offer. I might just take you up on it. For now, I simply ask you and your wife to remember all Muslim reformers in your prayers. Meanwhile, I’m being as careful as I know how. Bullet-proof windows at home. An investigation around, under and inside the car before turning on the ignition. Changing routes to common destinations so that I don’t convey predictability. I’ve promised my mom and I promise you that I’ll continue being careful without being fearful. Cross my heart and hope to… Never mind.

“I read your book. It was not just a well-written work, but a great-written piece of work! I am a Sikh and as you may know, Sikhism has elements of Islam and Hinduism. One of my best friends is a Muslim and I constantly ask him questions. But I can’t bombard him with the real questions and case studies that that I’d like to ask about because it would probably upset him. So I look at asking him a few questions and then laying off, letting him think about things.

I am not one those can’t-we-all-get-along people. I understand that human nature is a dynamic, flowing thing. This is why I am so happy with your book, because I take ‘ijtihad’ [independent thinking] to be a dynamic and flowing thing too. Good luck. I really think you’re gonna need it.” - Hardeep

Irshad replies: You’re not the only one…

“No matter the amount of ijtihad I preach in a country where the Taliban are considered godsends and the people who are smart enough to realize they aren’t godsends nonetheless conveniently shut up and sit at home, how does one go about changing anything? If everything is predetermined and we don’t have a choice, then what is the point? And if we do have a choice but the ultimate referees are cosmic, again what are we left with? I know I just asked u the question that Socrates went mad trying to figure out, so I don’t really expect an answer. Just an opinion. Thanks for trying.” - Maria

Irshad replies: Since I’m already mad (according to many), there’s no danger in me taking a crack at this one. The kind of society you’ve described — where imperious rulers are accepted as ambassadors of the divine, where complacency trumps conscience, and where fatalism has quashed free will — describes not only swaths of the Islamic world, but also what used to be Communist Europe. So what are we left with, you ask? We’re left with lessons from the great dissidents of Communism – lessons about how we go about changing our world.

The maverick journalist, Christopher Hitchens, writes that

    …a number of important dissidents evolved a strategy. They decided to live ‘as if.’… Vaclav Havel, working as a marginal playwright and poet in a society that truly merited the title of Absurd, realized that ‘resistance’ in its original insurgent and militant sense was impossible in the Central Europe of the day. He therefore proposed living ‘as if’ he were a citizen of a free society, ‘as if’ lying and cowardice were not mandatory patriotic duties, ‘as if’ his government had actually signed (which it actually had) the various treaties and agreements that enshrined universal human rights. He called this tactic ‘The Power of the Powerless’ because, even when disagreement can be almost forbidden, a state that insists on compelling assent can be relatively easily made to look stupid.

True, living “as if” is a massive act of imagination which presumes enough people can be sprung from apathy. In my more fatigued moments, I share your doubt about societies that sympathize with the Taliban. Then I remind myself of a basic fact: Many of today’s electoral democracies — flawed though they may be — were crushingly tribal societies not so long ago. Consider Catholic South America. Now it’s a place where the president of Bolivia must resign over massive street demonstrations. Take the feudal Asian countries. Here, Singapore sets a standard for pluralism and prosperity. Witness also East Africa. There, my birth country of Uganda is making a serious effort to fight disease and corruption. Never mind Eastern Europe, where Polish plumbers are re-educating the French and Germans about individual agency and personal initiative.

Defeating passivity in Islamic countries will demand similar expectations. Imagine, then, an idea that links the glories of the past with possibilities for the future, so that Muslims appreciate there’s nothing wrong with Islam today that can’t be corrected by what was right with Islam centuries ago. I call it Project Ijtihad — “as if” it’s worth naming and pursuing.

Posted June 1, 2005

LEBANON:
“As a Lebanese scholar and fellow mate in the struggle for an awakening in the Muslim world, I would like to salute and encourage you for standing up for your convictions despite all the odds. Even if I may not see eye to eye with you on all the issues, I support your appeal for reformation in the Muslim world so that basic human rights such as freedom of thought, choice and expression may be established. As you have explained, only that context can any genuine Ijtihad and critical thinking take place to awaken the Muslim world from its slumber and degeneration.” - Tariq, Lebanon

IRAQ:
“You may feel that you have done a very brave and great job in your book, but it may be no more than what mullahs and extremists would have done, namely, further distorting Islam. Once and for all, Muslims are NOT to be identified with Islam. If you are bad and you are a Marxist, it doesn’t mean that Marx was bad.” - Nizar

Irshad replies: Excuse me? Muslims are not to be identified with Islam? Wow. Let’s apply that standard to other belief systems. Would you say that feminism is perfect; it’s feminists who have twisted it? That humanism makes sense; it’s humanists who don’t? That capitalism is fair; it’s capitalists who aren’t? Be real.

I agree that we Muslims have the capacity to be more thoughtful and humane than most of our clerics give us credit for. But in order to get there, we have to come clean about something: that everything is wonderful as an ideal. Marxism is egalitarian — as an ideal. The United States constitution guarantees liberty and justice for all — as an ideal. The realities are very different, and the same can be said about Islam in practice. Snapping out of our defensive denial is step number one to realizing an Islam that’s truly worth defending.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
“I read your book on the internet and you are 100% right, it is time for a wake-up call. I was born in north Iraq. My father is from Kazakhstan and my mom [is] Kurdish. My family are United Arab Emirate citizens now. I am a 20th century child and I will live life in the way it is now, not in ancient time. I went through all the hard time with religion and men’s domination. I tried to pray five times a day but I hate routine, especially repeating same words every day. I also rejected the covering. I fought it to the point of quitting school for two years. Muslims are locked in their rules. It will take more people like you and me to unlock that iron wall. I was going to tell the world my feeling, but I love my family and I don’t want to ruin their life.” - Alya

Irshad replies: I appreciate your love for your family. But remember that the Koran itself urges us to bear true witness, “even if it be against yourselves, your parents, or your family.” The Koran acknowledges our tendency, as humans, to do things in the way that our fathers did, yet it also reminds us that this is a glorification of custom, not of Allah. Your family needs to hear this, and the world needs to hear you.

IRAN:
“I just read your book today. I think most of the topics that you mentioned are true. There is just one thing I want to tell you: Every religion has good things and bad things. It would be great if you mentioned some of the good things about Islam. I know it is a good time for market and you did it at the right time to sell your book. I hope you succeed and also wish Islamic hard-liners don’t hurt you. Be safe.” - Mahmoodreza

Irshad replies: Thank you for your sincere concern about my well-being. I do wonder, though, how much of my book you read. Despite the title — which is another debate unto itself — I raise positive aspects of Islam throughout my book. In chapter 2, for instance, I identify Koranic verses that support women’s equality and religious pluralism. In chapter 3, I extol the artistic and scientific contributions that Islamic civilization gave to the world. As one of many examples, I point out that Cordoba, a city in Muslim Spain, had 70 libraries. That rivals the number of libraries in most cosmopolitan cities today! Islam had this 1000 years ago.

In fact, the biggest idea in my book is that Islam once exhibited a glorious practice of critical thinking — ijtihad — that allowed Muslims to lead the world in curiosity and creativity. I argue that there is no reason Muslims cannot rediscover our practice of independent thinking, and that’s why the second half of my book outlines a global campaign to revive ijtihad. How? First and foremost, by liberating the talents of Muslim women. I even show how this idea is supported by progressive Islamic traditions and existing Koranic passages.

I don’t know if that’s good enough for you, but it does seem to have struck a chord with the next woman…

BANGLADESH:
“I have always been thinking about setting up a school for women and children in Bangladesh, providing vocational training to women for them to become economically independent. Your book is inspiring me to seriously start implementing the school project.

From my very childhood, I have been asking lots of questions about Islam and for that reason was called weirdo amongst my classmates and all throughout my student life. Even now some of my Muslim friends, who believe they are very educated and literate, try to stop me by saying I ask too many questions and shouldn’t question the Quran. If they think their religion is the best, I do not understand why they are afraid of asking questions! When I was in year 9 in Bangladesh, we had to study a Bengali literature piece which said, ‘you cannot say a person, religion, or culture is the best if it is kept behind closed doors. Open the doors for it to be amongst others and the best one will be known to all eventually, if it is really the best.’

Thank you very much for writing such a great book!” - Shamim

EGYPT:
“Irshad, let me tell you in Arabic: ya habibti shukran! Before, I couldn’t read your book because it was all in English. Big surprise! I am now finding an Arabic version, which I downloaded and I couldn’t wait to write to you. Irshad, you are just saying what I couldn’t dare say as a Muslim, as a Woman, and as a Lesbian living in an oppressing environment where I should shut up, otherwise I would be considered an atheist and be out. Though I feel afraid from what they might think about me, I would try to make some of the people around me read the Arabic version of your book. Thank you Irshad.”
- An Egyptian woman

Posted May 15, 2005

“I was born in the Soviet Union (what is now Uzbekistan) to a very religious Muslim family. I had a decent education and for five years I have been living in the U.S., where I work as an interpreter in Arabic, Russian, Persian and several other languages. Irshad, I am overwhelmed and overjoyed by your book. Besides guts, it takes a lot of research and a lifetime of experience to come to those arguments. You nailed it. Your knowledge of history and culture amazed me, since the history answers a lot of the issues and dilemmas we are experiencing nowadays. I have never seen such meticulous and detailed research done by any ordinary Muslim in the West. I say ordinary Muslim because we are all are equal servants of Allah, right? As for those who libel you as a ‘money-seeking’ girl, quote them what Donna Summer sings: ‘She works hard for the money…’ And you did a damn splendid job!!” - Farhod

Irshad replies: Couldn’t you find me a line from Um Kulthum instead of Donna Summer?

“You are offending 98.9% of the true Muslims in the world. Islam is not a hard religion to understand and I don’t need to read your book to understand what is wrong with it. Nothing is wrong with Islam. I will agree that many, many Muslim individuals and societies today are confused or are manipulating the teachings of Islam to achieve a personal or political agenda. You remind me of the extreme right of Islam who condone killing people indiscriminately, but you are on the extreme left. Your book comes off as a commercial product with no academic value, to be bought by curious housewives and people who watch CNN all day. Please don’t cover a topic that you have no business covering. Write a book on fashion or something else.” - anonymous

Irshad replies: Three points. First, am I to censor myself because you are offended? Suppose I told you that I’m offended by the fact that you’re offended. Do you then have an obligation to clam up, simply because I’m offended? Of course not. Offense is the most minor price of breaking deadly silences. Deal with it.

Second, how did you determine that that 98.9% of true Muslims in the world are offended by me? Why not 98.7%? Or 99%? Please cite your sources, as I do with every claim I make in my thoroughly un-academic book.

Finally, I appreciate your suggestion to write about fashion. It’s certainly up my alley, since I sit on the inter-faith editorial board of Seventeen magazine. I can see a title now — The Cardinal’s Sin: What Catholic Priests Can Learn from Hijab-Wearing, CNN-Watching Muslim Housewives. If you’ve got a better title, bring it on. As you know, I’m not very skilled at coming up with inoffensive book titles. But I do think I’ve found my co-author. Read the next letter…

“I just wanted to tell you much your book has shaken me, perhaps in a way you may not have imagined. You see, I am a former Catholic. I went to church every Sunday until I was 24, when I realized I did so only out of guilt. So I stopped, cold turkey, this young man who only eight years previously had thought he would be a priest.

I am now 35 and in the years since, I have counted myself an agnostic. Several years ago, I toed the edge of what seemed like an atheistic abyss before pulling myself back. But I could never return to Catholicism, I thought. I had believed in it much too concretely: the Son of God become man, the virgin-ness of the Virgin Mary, heaven and hell, the whole bit. How could I be a Catholic now, when I view religion as myth and metaphor and not reality? And never mind all the crud of the Church: the patriarchal, woman-patronizing crap, the pope saying gay marriage is evil. Need I go on?

But your book was a revelation. What I saw in your energetic reasoning was not a hater of Islam but a devoutly religious spirit willing to blast away at the hardened slag that is suffocating her religion in order to reveal its golden, beating core. It made me question whether I had missed something in Catholicism, whether I had fought hard enough to reveal its heart. Keep up the good fight. You’re an inspiration.” - Dan

Irshad replies: Hey, wanna co-author a book? (See above.)

“On your website, I was reading some of the letters and I saw a death threat from a ‘Progressive Shia Muslim’. I beg you to please take any angry signature down that says ‘Muslim’. I myself am Shia and I feel that if someone looks at that email and sees ‘Shia,’ they will see other Shias like that. In a larger scope, they will see all Muslims like that.” - Zahra

Irshad replies: I find it revealing, Zahra, that you would expend your energy begging me to edit the death threat instead of writing an email, through me, to the person who issued the threat — explaining to him why, in your view, he cannot be Shia or Muslim while inciting murder. Does it not occur to you that this would be a more pious response than begging me to sanitize? Why is your conscience more troubled by what I’m doing than by what my would-be assassin would do if he or she had the chance? In short, why are you more interested in spinning Islam’s negative image than in helping to fix the reason for that image?

“How in the hell can you still call yourself a Muslim? Who do u represent? I’m a Muslim woman. I don’t cover my hair and I’m married to an American who doesn’t practice Islam, but he thinks Muslims are the best people in the whole wide world, and he wishes that Christians should have the same morals as Arabs have. If there’s anything wrong with Islam, it would be the people who pretend to be Muslims. YOU & Osama bin Laden give Islam a bad name.

Before u start bashing your own religion, look around and try to bash priests who’s fucking boys at churches and the Americans who are killing Iraqi prisoners and holding up to 50,000 prisoners from Iraq & Afghanistan without trial or charges. Bush, the double-standard president, wants to free the Iraqi people but he don’t give a shit about the Palestinians. He is asking the Syrians to pull their troops out of Lebanon, but never asked Israel to pull their troops from Palestine and Syria. He is asking Iran to disarm the nukes, but is ignoring the fact that Israel and North Korea have nukes.

All the problems in the Middle East are because of Israel. I’m a Palestinian refugee since 1968. Me and my family are scattered everywhere. Why can’t u say anything to help the Palestinians? I know we are the best nation that has Allah has chosen. May Allah help us from people like you & Bin Laden.” - Mona

Irshad replies: I’m not surprised that you accuse me of neglecting Palestinians. In our politically polarized environment, if you point out (as I do) that both Israel and the PA share culpability for the plight of Palestinians, then you’re anti-Palestinian if not anti-Muslim. The reason? Simply because you haven’t declared Israel to be the sole oppressor. I don’t buy it, Mona. Neither do many Palestinians, who are as angry with the corruption of the PA as they are with the military presence of the IDF. Both occupations need to end. I don’t understand how that position makes me as bad as Bin Laden.

I suggest you take a cue from Dr. Eyad Serraj, founder of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program. He’s a Palestinian, so he must have credibility with you. He’s also someone whose honesty drove Yasser Arafat to arrest him. According to Dr. Serraj, “we Arabs and Palestinians need a lot of self-criticism.” For what, you ask? For “a tribal structure in which dissent is seen as treason. We have not yet developed a state of citizenry, within all the Arab countries, in which people are equal before the law. This is very serious.”

So, Mona, I leave you with a few questions: 1) Can “all the problems of the Middle East” really be blamed on Israel? 2) Don’t you sound like a Zionist when you insist that Allah has “chosen” Arabs as the “best nation”? 3) What makes Arabs the “best nation” anyway? 4) If championing Palestinian victimhood and hatred of Israel amounts to being a good Muslim, then why do you hate Osama bin Laden? 5) Given that your husband believes Muslims are the “best people in the whole wide world,” why hasn’t he converted?

A final question: Do you see why I’m not particularly concerned that you consider me a lousy Muslim?

“You make me think about moral courage and moral cowardice. Moral courage, the willingness to follow one’s own conscience when everyone around you says you’re wrong, is far, far rarer than physical courage. It seems to me that humanity suffers greatly from the prevalence of its opposite, moral cowardice, particularly in the form of hiding behind a memory of victimization to avoid the effort of being good. To live as a good human by the rules of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism is tremendously hard work. (Christians even say it’s impossible for an unaided human.) It’s much easier to pick a time when you were the victim of evil and say ‘my enemy is evil, therefore I must be the good guy in this story.’ That’s a universal human weakness and I do acknowledge the history of victimization of so many of the world’s peoples. But the point is that when someone says ‘What you’re doing is wrong!’ it’s no answer to at all to say ‘But THEY did it to us first!’ Or, of course, ‘Why are you on THEIR side?’ It’s a non-sequitur. Right or wrong are not matters of allegiance.

Speaking of physical courage, I know that the orthodox Muslim approach to your personal safety would be, ‘Whatever God wants to happen, will happen.’ Well, what if God wants you to hire a bodyguard? Or at least take some less intrusive precautions? Kevlar vests cost only a few hundred dollars.” - Fred

Irshad replies: Vests, eh? This could be a chapter for the book on inter-faith fashion! (See above.)

Posted May 1, 2005:

“I read a lot about religion. I can find the peace at the center of Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism. But how do you personally find peace in Islam?” - Sarah (Pakistani-American Christian)

Irshad replies: Funny you should ask. After all, Islam literally means “entering into peace,” while its corollary — salaam — means “perfect peace.” And yet, yours is an important question because Islam, as an organized religion, hasn’t provided me with much peace (surprise!). Not yet, anyway. You know what has? Allah. Believing in the One God, the Unfathomable, the Peerless, keeps my feet on the ground. Belief in God reminds me that for all the scientific breakthroughs, technological advances, and philosophical insights we have, some mysteries are just that — mysteries.

Which means at least two things: 1) the burden to “figure it all out” is lifted from our shoulders; and 2) precisely because only God knows fully the Truth of anything, we, as believers, can be open to debate and discussion, confident that God isn’t threatened by our speculation. Islam, in particular, emphasizes that God is “merciful” and “compassionate.” Almost all the verses of the Koran open with those descriptions of the Creator — an added assurance that that honest mistakes will always be forgiven. That’s what allows me to promote intellectual and interpretive creativity with peace of mind.

The trouble within Islam arises when submission to God becomes confused with submissiveness to God’s self-appointed ambassadors. Countless Muslims are struggling with that problem. Read the next letter — and take special notice of the last paragraph, in which this Muslim tells us where she gets her peace of mind. It’s a most unlikely place…

“I am a convert/revert who wants to learn more about Islam. I live in the middle of the U.S., just blocks away from a beautiful new building where Muslim men are welcome to worship. This is a university town far from any significant Muslim populations. There is no Imam, so the male students take turns giving the kutbah [sermon] of their choice. In one 8-week period, 6 of the khutbahs were about how women should dress.

Women are welcome in the masjid [mosque] at certain times depending on the nationality of of the male students who who seem to be in power at the time. At this time, the Pakistanis seem to be the majority and women are not expected in the masjid but they are quietly suffered. Before 9/11, the Saudis were the majority and I was told to stay out of the masjid. No classes are offered here to those interested in Islam. The latest excuse is that 9/11 made it too dangerous. The excuse before was that women and men were both showing up for the classes and mixing was upsetting other men in the masjid.

In the past, I read translations of the Quran, searched for information in books and on the Internet, and had conversations online with Muslim men. Through one of these men I met my husband. I traveled to Pakistan for my marriage and landed in a culture straight out of National Geographic. I made my statement of faith long before I met my husband so I had some time to develop my own understanding of Islam. Silly me. The poverty, illiteracy, and utter apathy were absolutely overwhelming. Watching Islam in practice was disillusioning.

Since returning to the U.S., I have noticed the same characteristics in most of the Muslims I meet, especially the women. So many ‘read’ the Quran but have no idea what they are saying. In answer to my suggestion that actually understanding the ayats [verses] would be a bigger blessing than just rote memorization, I am met with blank stares or the tried-and-true Muslim response of ‘It’s not required.’ This is second only to the more popular response of ‘It’s required.’ The fatalistic belief that Allah has decided your life while you are still in the womb seems to have destroyed initiative. Who can compete with that?

For now, I go to church and gain my peace of mind from trying to pretend that I never heard of Islam. No, I haven’t given up on Islam. It’s more like I’ve been continually blocked by Muslims from learning more. Thanks for your book. Please ask someone to give you a hug from me.” - J

Irshad replies: Despair not, J. You don’t need the boys — or, for that matter, the girls — in your community to validate your quest for conversation. As you know from your own Internet discussions, there are plenty of online communities you can join. I recommend www.muslimwakeup.com, where you’ll find heated disagreement, engagement and ultimately, enlightenment. Meanwhile, take inspiration from a couple of other women who reveal where they get their peace of mind…

“Irshad, I love your interpretation of our religion. My thing has been that Islam is only a conduit toward spirituality — a conduit filled with holes and contradictions, but a beautiful one at that, and one that can be reconciled with any lifestyle and culture as long as the basic tenets of humanity and uprightness are not breached. I practice our religion because that is what I’ve learned — that is my line to God, my identity, my method. I do namaz [prayer] once in a while, fast during Ramazan, and will read the Koran for the peace it gives me, NOT because I think these are the only valid lines to God, but because I’m comfortable with these modes, know them well, and feel a connection to my roots while I’m partaking. It is spirituality and goodness that count, not really the path that one uses get to these nirvanas.” - Anni

“I’m an Italian of 29 who is just about to give birth to a baby girl. I’ve come across your book the other day and have started reading it with passion, feeling fascinated with your opinion and happy with your critical approach to religion. Being Italian, I was brought up as a Roman Catholic, but I’ve been through the same dilemma as you. Eight years ago, I met my husband, Bashir, who is from Senegal, and a Muslim. Three years ago we got married with the Muslim rites used in West Africa and have now decided to christen our baby as Muslim as soon as she is born. Most of the attitudes you wish more Muslims had, I’ve found them in Senegalese Muslims. Senegal is a country of tolerance, of progressive and critical religious spirit – at least as far as my my experience. This is the Islam I feel close to, and this is why I have decided to educate my baby as a Muslim instead of as Christian.

As a Catholic Refusenik, I want to thank you for your work, your free thinking and your inspiring book. It will be a good starting point to discuss religion with my daughter.” - Loretta

Irshad replies: And now, for a different attempt at finding peace of mind…

“About a year ago, I chose to leave Islam and convert to Judaism. I went through the one-year Judaism course and was more and more convinced that I had done the right thing. For the first time, I was able to really feel God’s presence and worship him. The struggle against my family and society was very difficult. I was told by the local Imam and by my family that I am Kafir [unbeliever facing eternal damnation] and that it is allowed by Islam to kill me because changing one’s faith is even worse than murder. If I could only explain to them that this is EXACTLY why I left why I left Islam – because it has become so violent and primitive. When I read your book, I was filled with hope. Maybe one day, people who choose to leave Islam will not be legitimate targets and will be able to express themselves freely.” - RJ

Irshad replies: You might wish to remind your family that, as Jew, you’re still part of “Ahl al-Kitab” or “People of the Book.” According to the Koran, People of the Book are to be respected: “Believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans — whoever believes in God and the Last Day, and who does what is right — shall be rewarded by their Lord; they have nothing to fear or regret” (2:62).

However, RJ, please remember: Judaism is not a panacea either. Just ask Jewish women in Israel, including the secular ones, who must go to Rabbinical courts if they’re seeking divorces and often wind up getting the shaft from Rabbis.

Or ask the Women of the Wall, a group that has been fighting to pray on equal terms at the Western Wall on the Jewish Sabbath. Many of these women have been harassed, spat at, even arrested by Israeli authorities. A friend of mine went to jail because a Jewish man heard her voice as she read from the Torah — and complained that this interfered with his concentration as he tried to worship at the Western Wall. It didn’t matter that she compromised by coming to the Wall before the evening rush of Sabbath worshippers. The fact that one man overheard her prayer was enough to land her in the big house.

Bottom line: If it’s peace you’re after, then make sure religion feeds your spirit. For God’s sake, don’t let religion overtake your spirit. In that vein, here are some final words of wisdom from a Muslim teenager…

“I’m a 17-year-old Moroccan boy soon to be a man. I would never want my wife or girlfriend to bow to me or to put on the hijab because I said so. I believe in women’s rights and I believe in equality and I can’t stand what those imams are saying in the mosques. I pray and I fast, not because it is an obligation but because it is a form of spirituality. It is a tradition that I like to keep for myself. But I also like dancing. I love going out with girls and spending time with the girl I love. Irshad, I admire you truly and I think you are a beautiful image of Muslim freedom.” - Hicham

Irshad replies: Don’t forget to study, Hicham.

Posted April 15, 2005:

“I checked out your website. Even though I may not agree with everything you say, I believe sincerely that you represent a part of Islam that has faded. We need more Muslims to shake things up and start each other on a path that not only encourages excellence in intelligence, but also gets us to start asking really deep questions. The Islamic world is experiencing a ‘dark age’ like the Christians, where you have to believe what the Imams/Preachers tell you. I don’t want to go back to that time (I was Christian for 25 years, so I know). I became a Muslim because I wanted to know the truth and to be able to read and understand it for myself. Before I challenge you, I will read your book. Salaam Alaikum.” - Darryl

“I am an Arab-American Muslim living in the USA. The more I live here, the more I come to love my religion, that based on the Quran and Sunnah [prophetic tradition]. Freedom of speech does not mean changing such a beautiful religion simply because it causes you inconvenience. You are a disgrace to all Muslims and even giving you the time of day is a crime. You are pathetic. I really feel sorry for you and I don’t care who reads this email, you are disgusting!!!!!!!!” - anonymous

“Dearest Lesbian: Thank you very much for helping me. Spiritually, you made me a stronger Muslim. I now know all of your arguments and can easily debate and annihilate them. Morally, I now am even more disgusted by homosexuality. And lastly, financially. Did you know that you saved me at least 40 dollars on my winter gas bill? The pages from your book beat using the old wooden log, which by the way, is rotting similarly to the corpses of the enemies of the Allah, if if you catch my drift… Who knows, the money you save me might go to buying a truck big enough to haul thousands of your books to the local town dump…

You are better than most mullahs. You strengthen the faith of countless Muslims like myself every day, and make me thankful to God for making me a heterosexual, and binding my faith to make me a crusader for the true cause of Islam. Good luck on your personal journey to make Islam more progressive for the 21st century… I pray that you may be guided back to your true faith, or just like your buddy Salman, get another 3000 death-fatwas. Have fun with the rest of your tarnished life, my dearest lesbian ‘Muslim’.” - Uberstrong Muslim, New York City

Irshad replies: If God made you a heterosexual, then that suggests God assigned me my sexual orientation too! Thanks for reminding me that the all-knowing Creator could not have made a mistake. Thanks also for wishing me a life of fun. In gratitude, I’ll think of you the next time I have a good ol’ belly laugh… Hey, just thought of you… Again… How much fun can one lesbian Muslim have?!

“I read your book in heartbeat. A lot of valid points. Right on! Even more than the book itself, the interesting thing is the reaction of mainstream Muslims, don’t you think? If they truly believe that you are wrong, then why bother over-reacting?” - Mehmet

Irshad replies: The next gentleman offers a clue…

“I’ve been reading the postings on your website. One point occurs to me that is so obvious, I’m astounded that it crops up so frequently — namely, the tendency to resort to ad hominem attack instead of engaging you on the substance or merits of your arguments. Maimonides, who was highly influenced by the Islamic philosophical tradition (Averroes, Al-Farabi, Avicenna) admonished his readers over 800 years ago to ‘accept the truth from whatever source it proceeds.’ This was intended to counteract those who had criticized him for resorting to external sources of knowledge (in his case, Greek/Arabic philosophy). Historically, this statement became a ringing cry, often controversial, for those who struggled to remove the interpretation of the Jewish tradition from the burdens and dangers of insularity.

My point is this: Even if you are everything your critics say you are — an infidel, blaspheming, self-hating, mind-poisoning, money-grubbing, Zionist dyke (have I omitted anything?) — it would still not follow that your ideas have no merit. It is much easier to engage in character assassination, and to imagine that by doing so one has comfortably disposed of the contrary argument, than to take a good hard look in the mirror or to deal seriously with non-mainstream thinking. Many people prefer the comforts and self-satisfactions of a closed system to the challenges of intellectual daring, creativity and self-criticism.

One final thought (also from Maimonides): ‘Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, or less so even if the whole world disagrees with it.’” - Jonathan

Irshad replies: Yeah, but you’re a self-hating, mind-poisoning, money-grubbing, dyke-loving Jew. Enough said.

“I have read your book with much interest, and I have also read some of the comments, criticisms, and plain insults hurled at you in response. You appear to me a woman of great courage and forbearance, and I salute you for that. I am sure you have the will and the ability to carry on the good work of arousing Muslims from their dogmatic slumber. I particularly liked the 2nd chapter of the book, where you made the attempt, in my view quite convincingly, at presenting your arguments with quotations from the Quran. Wishing you all best.” - (Dr.) M. Islam, Ottawa

Irshad replies: So your last name is “Islam” and you’re a physician, eh? How convenient. You can’t fool me. Nor can you fool the next guy…

“You have no idea what you’re talking about. Let me bring up the subject of this so-called ‘reformation’ of Islam that the west wants to have. They want women to be treated like sluts. That is there [sic] definition of liberating women. Look what has happened in Afghanistan after the Taliban fell. Prostitution went up. Women are being involved in adultrey [sic] and wearing high skirts where you can see their behinds. That is western liberation. Please don’t try to convince me otherwise because I went there after the fall of the Taliban. I saw what women were doing. You keep saying that Islam is imprisoning women, then why are women converting to Islam 30% more than men are? Get your facts straight.

I was born and raised in America and I am a Muslim convert. And let me answer your question about Anti-Semitism. Muslims have no problem with Jews. They have a problem with us. We as Muslims accept all the biblical prophets. Why don’t you read what Jews did to the Muslims during the time of the Prophet? They would agree to treaties and break them. And then one Jew came up to the Prophet and asked what should we do to a person who has committed adultrey [sic] in their tribe? The Prophet replied what does the Torah say? The Torah said kill her. And that’s what they did. And there was one time when they fought with the Muslims and betrayed them and the Jews asked the Prophet to punish them by the laws of the Torah and the Torah said kill them.

So I don’t know who the hell considers you an educated person but according to my standards, you’re just an ignorant person. If you even try to debate with me your loose [sic]. I am very well educated. It looks to me you’re a trained Israeli from the Israeli government.” - Arslan

Irshad replies [speaking to herself]: Why argue with those who make your points for you?

Posted April 1, 2005

Recently, I appeared on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. During the show, sparks flew between me and another guest — actor/comic Richard Belzer. He argued that America has no business being in Iraq, a country that hasn’t directly attacked the U.S. I argued this is exactly the self-interested attitude that has kept repressive governments propped up in the Middle East, despite calls for help by Arabs and Muslims. For his part, Bill proclaimed that he can no longer be driven by a hatred of George W. Bush; instead, he has to be led by results, and that’s why he’s changing his tune on Iraq. To “reward” his maturity and humility, I threw Bill my pajama bottoms (no, I wasn’t wearing them at the time). It was meant to spoof another big story that week: Michael Jackson coming to his trial in PJs. With all this in mind, enjoy a sample of the copious feedback I received after the show…

“It was funny when you were debating the Iraq war and Richard Belzer said it was okay for Americans to fight in World War II because we were attacked. I hate to inform him that Japan, not Germany, attacked us. Although Germany declared war on us, they did not attack us. Therefore, by his argument, we should not have attacked them. Also, Bin Laden declared war on us before 9/11 and we did not attack him.” - Troy

Irshad replies: Apparently, President Clinton tried to smoke Bin Laden out of his hole and missed. So Washington did attempt to attack the Al-Qaeda leader, just not very vigorously. Which is why I take your larger point — when faced with a terrorist who has announced a crusade against America and who represents a hand-chopping, woman-pulverizing, execution-enamored regime such as the Taliban, complacency gets us further into a hole.

The question is: In an age of cultural relativism, how do you convince people that going after genocidal tyrants is everybody’s business? Maybe the answer is to focus on the positive of human rights rather than the negative of fear. As Bill Maher told me, if Bush had premised the Iraq invasion on human rights, “he would have had me at ‘hello’.” On this score, I think Maher speaks for more than himself. Consider the next letter…

“I’m American, gay, Catholic, and 100% behind you — if only because I love hot chicks who breed dissent. You say to Muslims: ‘Park your cynicism and be constructive. It’s possible that Americans need our help to grasp their glorious potential as humanitarians.’ These words make me cry. Openly. Sincerely. Seriously. My God! What a beautiful sentiment. I’ve never heard such a concise and profound expression of what my country can be. It’s something that I always believed, but never expressed aloud: that we, as Americans, can use ‘empire’ as a tool for equality, individuality and everything else that the fascists in God’s clothing hate. I don’t think G.W. Bush can do it — that could be partisan hysteria talking. But I do believe America can.

I don’t disagree with what America does. I actually wish we were more honest and consistent. Fuck ‘diversity’ if it means tolerating the House of Saud and the Pentecostal Church. I want freedom. Being able to breathe fresh air seems a more honest way of honoring God than re-circulating the same stale ideas from the 1300s, Christian or Muslim.” - Matthew

Irshad replies: How dare you loosen your gay straitjacket and advocate that America do more intervening on humanitarian grounds! Don’t you realize that you’re confusing people by blurring the tidy labels of ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’? Or are you suggesting that in a complex world, the point is to be neither left-wing nor right-wing, but post-wing? Whatever the case, you and I are making a lot of folks uncomfortable. And some of them will assume we’re just shills for Bush. Listen to the next woman…

“I respect your right to say whatever you’d like, but how can a Lesbian Canadian so vehemently defend G.W. Bush? You know that he is very anti-gay and if you were a citizen of the U.S. you would be in jeopardy of having your rights taken away from you?… As a proud liberal, and you better be thankful that there are a few left in the United States, I felt it was much more important to go into Afghanistan and stay on the ground there than go into Iraq for the sake of oil. Whether you want to believe it or not, that is what the Iraqi war is all about. Oil and control of oil. You are a strange contradiction.” - Dolores

Irshad replies: I couldn’t agree more about Afghanistan. Bush should not have diverted so many resources away from that country in order to focus almost exclusively on Iraq. But because he did, much of Afghanistan is still caught in the clutches of the Taliban. Outside of Kabul, the warlords still rule. Opium trafficking has increased dramatically. The creepy “Ministry of Vice and Virtue” is back. And women continue to wear their burqas because they fear for their lives — even though the new constitution guarantees their rights. Let me say it again: Afghanistan is the first and most important front in the fight against Islamist terror.

Having acknowledged that, there’s something strangely contradictory about your own position. At a time when so many Iraqis are telling Washington ‘thank-you’ , you’re telling Washington ‘screw-you.’ How very neo-colonial. You call yourself a liberal, yet you’re acting like an ideological aristocrat, putting your wishes as a member of a distant elite above the welfare of millions of Iraqis. Liberal imperialism is an odd combination, indeed.

Still, I’m not asking you to feel any shame about being a walking paradox. I certainly don’t. To quote the American poet and pragmatist Walt Whitman, “Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contract myself. I am large. I contain multitudes.” Read his essay “Democratic Vistas” and you’ll see why a Muslim dissident like me appreciates this dead white male. Read the next letter and you’ll see why a young white male appreciates this Muslim dissident…May the contradictions never end.

“After watching you on Bill Maher’s show, then reading through your website, I wanted to take this opportunity to simply thank you. My greatest frustration with the world as I know it are the barriers that we create for each other when we brand people and their functions according to their race, gender, religion, style or even physical appearance. When I learn of a person such as yourself with such a unique identity shattering those barriers and taking such a profound action in this conflicted world, it drives me to think, to grow, and hopefully to soon act with the conviction and creativity that you have. I hope you know that your work and thoughts can touch even the mind of a young, white, straight, Christian male. In this day and age, that kind of communication is the only hope we have of saving the world. Here’s to progress!” - Matt

Irshad replies: Not everyone is convinced, Matt…

“Maybe if you’re so happy America liberated Iraq, you should send your Canadian children there to fight and die. Oh, wait… According to your beloved Mr. Bush, you, as a lesbian, shouldn’t fight in the military or raise children. How convenient. Leave the declarations of who should fight to those who actually can and will. As for the pajama performance, did you rehearse that in the hotel?” - Pam (U.S. military member)

Irshad replies: I find it more than a little ironic that you advise me to leave the declarations to those who “can and will” fight. Honey, I put my life on the line every single day by challenging Islamists openly and honestly. The death threats I regularly receive are all the evidence I need that I’m a willing soldier in a necessary fight. Difference is, I’m not protected by an armored Humvee. I can only rely on my wits. But instead of asking for your sympathy, I’m asking that you limit your pretense about being precious. To radical Islamists, you’re as much a bag of shit as I am. I’ll continue to fight even if you’d rather that I stand on the sidelines in my pajamas.

“Salam sister Irshad! I thought your appearance on Real Time gave American audiences a different view of who or what a Muslim is. While the majority of Americans have come to define Muslims as clones of the rigid, right-wing, bearded types or women in veils, there you were — a Muslim, a lesbian, and a feminist who speaks her mind on the ills confronting her religion and her brethren. In a way, you’re our Bill Maher (lol).” - Karim

Irshad replies: Bill is a lesbian feminist? I knew there was something about that haircut and those suits he wears…

“You claim to be a Muslim, but you don’t know the first thing about Islam. Don’t talk about the Holy Book as if you’re some kind of expert. Can you show me where in the Holy Quran it says you sit between two men and kiss them and carry on, as you did on the Bill Maher program? Are you trying to be a man because your dad wanted a son? Stop embarrassing yourself.” - Shakil

Irshad replies: Huh? Would you rather that I sit between two women and kiss them? That would be promoting homosexuality and then I’d really be proving that I want to be a man. As for the verses, show me yours and I’ll show you mine. Can you show me which verse in the Quran says: “O believers! Write an inane message to people who get on your nerves. Accuse them of embarrassing themselves even though it’s your own silliness on display. Lo, you are righteous in your inability to have fun.” If you can enlighten me about where to find this passage, Shakil, I promise not to kiss you. Otherwise, pucker up.

“Each time I have seen you on television, either discussing your book or, as in last night, discussing ‘political’ issues with Bill Maher, you have always come across as thoughtful, passionate, courageous and intriguing. Whatever your source of inspiration and motivation, keep drinking from that fountain.” — Your sister, Azurah

Irshad replies: I shall keep drinking from the fountain of independent thinking. The challenge, of course, is to quench the thirst without getting drunk in the process. May our Creator help both of us to achieve balance as we strive for personal peace, global justice and, on occasion, a few hearty laughs.

Posted March 15, 2005

“Please Madame! Wake up! All religions are stupid and dangerous and for intellectually inferior people. The Koran and Bible are are like comic books for macho men who want to control women. If you want to change the world, start with a logical way. Write a book saying that God does not exist. It will be more intelligent than believing in a stupid, poor religion like Islam. Please grow up young girl.” - anonymous, Quebec

Irshad replies: You are, dear sir, what I would term a “missionary atheist.” In your strident refusal to acknowledge alternate truths, you mimic the very religious fundamentalism that you presume to oppose. Where’s the logic in that? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a pacifier to put back in my mouth.

“I am a strong atheist and always will be. But provided they don’t try to live by their faith too literally, or try to force it on others, I’m willing to allow people to carry out their beliefs unmolested. You are doing excellent work, never stop.” - Jon

Irshad replies: Thanks for your tolerance, Jon. You say that you don’t want people taking faith too literally or forcing it on others. Test time: Suppose you were the leader of a largely atheist country that had a significant population of orthodox Jews. These people read their sacred text literally. But they don’t seek to convert, missionize or otherwise force their beliefs on the non-Orthodox. Would they have equal rights in your country? If so, how would you defend that position to your massive atheist constituency, who, after all, elected you and believe they’ve got the truth?

“Irshad, in a recent New York Times article you explained why, as an independent-minded woman, you bother with Islam. You wrote: ‘Religion supplies a set of values, including discipline, that serve as a counterweight to the materialism of life in the West. I could have become a runaway materialist, a robotic mall rat who resorts to retail therapy…’

I don’t understand why you associate religion with a lack of materialism. The church I belong to is filled with very religious and very materialistic people. My sister, who is an atheist, has shunned materialism completely and has devoted her life to finding a simpler way. Me, I try to find a balance. We ALL make choices.” - Pat

Irshad replies: As I explained in the article, I don’t value religion for the sake of having religion. When it faces no competition, religion is pretty dangerous. Rather, I value religion only when it faces competition — from secularism, for example. In such cases, religion also serves as a counter-weight to the danger of secularism becoming an orthodoxy unto itself (as has happened in many parts of Europe today). Both systems of belief need to be constantly challenged by each other in order for some tenuous equilibrium to be reached. And God knows, even if that equilibrium is reached, it’s not a static one. It’s always shifting. That’s the reality of a world in constant evolution. (And no, my reference to “evolution” was not a cheap jab at Creationism. A jab, yes. Just not a cheap one.)

“Do we really need an organized faith for this ‘counter-weight,’ especially when the mere faith always divides us (witness crusades and jihads)? Yoga and meditation provide much better counter-balances not only against conspicuous consumption but also blind faith (who has seen God?) and the religious baggage of do’s and don’ts.

Logos are fine on soles (Nike) but do you really need a logo (Islam) on your soul?” - CK

Irshad replies: Funny, I’ve argued exactly the same thing to Muslim women who “brand” themselves as the property of Islam Inc. by wearing the hijab for corporate, not spiritual, reasons.

As for me? No, I don’t feel the need to stamp a logo on my soul. Which is why my version of Islam is not mass-produced. But I do insist on cultivating values that respect a higher power. If, for you, those values come from meditation and yoga, just do it. For others, such values come from spending time in the splendor of the outdoors. For still others, they come from mastering a sport like martial arts. For me, they come from the constant struggle to reconcile basic religious principles with the breath-taking complexity of our world — a struggle that keeps me thinking and prevents me from lapsing into fundamentalisms of my own. All of these paths are valid.

I say this not because I’m a relativist but because I’m a pluralist. I believe in one God. That doesn’t mean I believe in one way. Can you say that you believe in more than one way? If so, then we’re kindred spirits. But if not, then this begs a very important question: What makes your atheism any different from an organized religion?

“Religion is a very human way to reach out to something bigger than the corporeal world that we are aware of, and to find the meaning of things. But Organized Religion is a submissive approach to Religion that exposes one to the dangers of oppression by charlatans. Often, its institutions try to assume an importance greater than the ideals that are preached, leading some to seek the establishment of theocracies to maximize power.

There’s a simple acid test for determining the validity (and true intent) of an Organized Religion. Compare the proportion of its rules, laws and sacraments that are established to protect and perpetuate its institutions with the proportion that actually enlightens and frees the soul.” - George

Irshad replies: The next guy gets it, even if the Church hierarchy in his country doesn’t…

“I’m 22 years old and I live in Brazil, a mainly Catholic country that has a lot of problems between the rich and the poor. I don’t go any more to church because how can I pray to a god that has priests that abuse kids? That has a Pope living in a palace of gold and preaching that we need to donate? Isn’t it all weird?

God is something that we are not ready for yet. There’s too much power in it and we don’t know how to absorb it. So let’s forget about God as we know him, and let’s live to help others. Let’s live a life in which our biggest worry is how to make this world a better place for everyone, black and white, Indians, Orientals, Occidentals, everybody and everywhere.” - Bruno

“You’ve said that religion supplies a set of values, but don’t all religions? Why not adhere to a religion because it is true rather than choosing one out of the many just to have a basis for values and morality? Christianity and Islam can’t both be true, logically. But might not one be more true than the other?” - Matt, Philadelphia

Irshad replies: I don’t know, or believe, that Islam is more true than Christianity. Interestingly enough, though, as a Muslim I don’t have to know or believe in Islam’s supremacy. Paradoxical?

I can explain. The Koran explicitly says that those who show faith in one Creator and the last day (which includes Christians and Jews) have nothing to fear or regret. The Koran also states that its revelations are not meant to trump the earlier scriptures; only to restore them. For all intents and purposes, then, Islam is capable of accepting Christianity’s truth.

The game of whose-truth-is-more-true need not be played. Since only God knows fully the Truth of anything, I’m comfortable with letting the Creator figure that one out. Meanwhile, as Bruno from Brazil reminds us, there are hungry people on this earth to feed. Let’s roll.

“I just finished reading your book. My favorite chapter is, “Who’s Betraying Whom?” [which illustrates that more Muslims have been impoverished, tortured and killed by other Muslims than by any foreign imperial power].

I am a non-Arab Muslim. Yet when I visit Arab countries, I am mistreated and it is made clear that Arabs are superior to non-Arabs, whereas Prophet Muhammad made clear in his last sermon that all Muslims are brothers and equal. I strongly believe that Islam would prosper if we distanced ourselves from Arabs and mullahs. Islam has suffered so much at the hands of those two.

I disagree on the title of the book, though. It should have been The Trouble with Muslims. Just because Muslims do hateful and hurtful things doesn’t mean that it is part of Islam’s teaching. If the Quran’s message is misinterpreted, it is no fault of Islam.” - Shawn

Irshad replies: Agreed – sort of. Since you like to invoke the Prophet, let me do the same to explain the title of my book. Prophet Muhammad was reportedly asked, “What is religion?” He reportedly replied, “Religion is the way we conduct ourselves toward others.” A fine definition; simple without being simplistic. So let’s think about it: According to that definition, how “we conduct ourselves” is religion. How Muslims behave, therefore, is Islam. The trouble with Islam may very well be Muslims — but that in no way refutes the fact that there’s trouble with Islam today.

Besides, had I called my book The Trouble with Muslims, do you sincerely believe that Muslims would have applauded my efforts? Quite the contrary. The professional lobbyists would have accused me of hate-mongering against an “identifiable group.” Imagine the lawsuits. My dissident derriere would have been in a court several times over. Great — if you’re in this purely for book sales. I’m not. I’m in this to puncture deadly silences and help Muslims — ie. the trouble with Islam — realize our God-given right to think.

Still, let me know what you think of the revised title: The Trouble with Islam Today. Better yet, read my Afterword in the new paperback edition, which is where I explain fully why I amended the title this way.

“I attended your public lecture at the Jean Jacques Rousseau Institute in Paris, and I can say that I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure what exactly has to change in order to avoid a disaster in the Muslim area (if we can avoid it): Islam? Muslim regimes? Muslims themselves? The life of a Muslim is full of questions in this very beginning of the 21st century. I hope your smile will be one answer.” - Said

Irshad replies (with a smile): The Koran provides us with a clue — namely, “God changes not what is in a people until they change what is in themselves.” Too many Muslims have broken faith with the message of self-criticism. You’re right: the life of a Muslim today is full of questions, and more of us need to be asking those questions. Out loud.

“I am a French Muslim. Married to an Egyptian. Brought up an atheist. Converted. Intellectual (I am a teacher). Trying to raise my children as intelligent Muslim citizens of the world. Sometimes feeling a bit lonely in this task.

I have just ordered your book to read it in English. I nearly bought it in French, and I would have if the title had been Musulmane ET Libre [Muslim AND Free] rather than Musulmane MAIS Libre [Muslim BUT Free], which conveys something negative. Negativity is something I keep fighting around me, among Muslims who want to stop us thinking as well as among ‘rationalists’ who assume that their belief is the only one which is not a belief but a fact.

My question is, then, why do you call yourself a “refusenik”? I mean, in your way of thinking, you do much more than refuse! On the contrary, you open things up.” - Sylvie, near Paris

Irshad replies: I see “refusenik” as a positive, not a negative, word. I’ve borrowed it from the original refuseniks – Soviet Jews who championed religious and personal freedom. Communist leaders punished thousands of refuseniks through hard labour and, sometimes, through cold murder. But the refuseniks persisted. Over time, their refusal to comply with the mechanisms of mind-control and soullessness helped end a totalitarian system. You might say that these refuseniks “opened things up.”

Likewise, I tip my hat the newer refuseniks — Israeli soldiers who protest the military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. They want to unlock the physical and geographic cages in which Palestinians find themselves. Their ultimate aim is openness.

In the same spirit of conscientious dissent, I’m protesting the ideological occupation of Muslim minds. Being a Muslim refusenik, therefore, doesn’t mean merely resisting the gatekeepers of knowledge. It also means giving other Muslims the permission to think for themselves. Translation: opening the gates of ijtihad, or independent thinking. When those gates are opened, I’ll ask my French publisher to rename the book, Muslim AND Free. Until then, je suis musulmane MAIS libre.

“After spending a couple of years in the densely populated Muslim areas of Paris (during both 9/11 and the US-led invasion of Iraq), I started craving knowledge about the Arabic/African/Islam culture. There were a hundred things in your book that I was able to relate to my own “ijtihad,” as well as my desire to see every human being live the inalienable rights that each of us should be given. I thank you so much for your insight!

My question to you is this: Why does the French translation of The Trouble with Islam come out as Muslim but Free? Was is it the translator’s personal doing? Did the government have something to do with it? Was it a business decision?” - Phillip

Irshad replies: My French publisher, Editions Grasset, felt that the The Trouble with Islam would sound too much like a previously published book — La Maladie de l’Islam. So, Grasset came up with Muslim but Free and ran it past me. I love the French title because it’s more hopeful and upbeat than the English one, while still conveying a sense of trouble through the word “but.” And, of course, through the strip across my mouth — a running theme on most of my covers.

“I’ve read the Italian translation of your book and I was astonished by your clear, free, and brilliant way of thinking and writing, but, above all, by our courage. My mother is from Lebanon, so I’ve always been bound to the Middle East, humus, Arabs and the Arabic language (I speak the Lebanese dialect and am studying classical Arabic). Never have I met an Arab who had the courage to say what you’re saying, freely, with no fear. I’ve been waiting for them for a long time. So thank you for what you’re doing, Irshad, and yalla [c’mon/let’s go], there’s so much to do.” - Francesco in Milano

Irshad replies: And so many places to do it in! Check out the next letter…

“Your book has reached the far-flung corners of the globe – Perth, Australia, the world’s most remote capital. Though I’m a Christian, I found enormous strength and inspiration from your book, which I happened to come across on my flatmate’s shelf (she’s a Muslim). I’m so very glad I asked to borrow it. Your honesty and ideas have crossed national, cultural, and religious barriers, and still hit home for me.” - J. Miller, Down Under

Irshad replies: Maybe you were charmed by my reference to veils and the Australian outback… (Chapter 6, for those with the book.)

“I am a Muslim living in Belgium. I understand why you ask questions like those in your book! If you want a true dialogue with Islam, please go to www.harunyahya.com. This man [a Turkish author named Harun Yahya] will give you all the answers.

Debate is healthy, but it must have a purpose and not profit (money). I ask many questions concerning your true intentions. Do you really serve GOD or EGO? Only Allah knows. Modesty is a key element of a Muslim, so at least admit that all this is probably more for fame and attention than serving the purpose of God.

I believe in a few years you will be as forgotten as Salman Rushdie. I cannot wish you good luck because of your COMMERCIAL INTENTIONS!!!!!!!” - Anonymous

Irshad replies: If Salman Rushdie is “forgotten,” why do you care to invoke his name? It seems that you, like most Muslims, haven’t forgotten him at all. Hmmm…

As for the other name you invoke — Harun Yahya — I find it funny that you send me to his website. It’s filled with ads for all kinds of products: DVDs, CDs, books and cassettes. Yet you condemn “commercial intentions” — or, more precisely, my “commercial intentions.” Somebody else’s, I suppose, are just fine. Hmmm…

Most interesting of all, you say that “only Allah knows” my true motives, and then proceed to tell me what those motives are. I guess that makes you God. So much for the Muslim modesty you preach. Hmmm…

“Irshad, you have succeeded in sparking thought and dialogue among countless of us. Here’s an example of how quickly the dialogue spreads:
* Thursday: book purchased.
* Friday, Saturday: book read.
* Saturday: discussion and recommendation to group of 9 friends at a play (all but one couple are already familiar with your work. The one who isn’t familiar will read your book over the next two months to keep up with our dialogue). Many more people during intermission listened in on our book recommendation and subsequent discussion.
* Our 8 kids (6 university age, 1 junior high, 1 high school) will each discuss this (formally/informally) with at least 100 of their closest peers, reference your statistics in papers they write, and inspire debate among their eclectic group of friends.

This activity represents almost 1000 people, 1 degree of separation in less than 5 days from a single book purchase. Thank you again for your courage, strength, candid insights and vulnerabilities. Never apologize for making money – Oprah never does.” - Cheryl

Irshad replies: Money? Honey, you’ve described the results of only one book sale! Seriously, though, that’s fine. It’s far more important to be making change than making coin. I’m enriched by your message.

“I am a practicing Christian and have been fortunate to meet the most beautiful girl in the world. She is Muslim. I have started studying Islam and can see myself accepting Mohammed as a prophet, and accepting the Quran as a religiously inspired book. However, I also believe that Jesus died to redeem us from our sins. It is not a belief that I came to lightly.

If it was not important to me to seek my truth, then I could easily denounce Christianity and call myself a Muslim. This would appease her family, as well as strict Islamic scholars, but would it make me a better husband for her? If we married, you can rest assured that I would support her 100% in her faith. In fact, I can see myself asking her to read the Quran with me. The only problem is that I would also respect and study Christian literature because I don’t want to leave a single stone unturned in my pursuit of the true will of God.

My main question to you is this: A Muslim man who has had sex before marriage, secretly drinks alcohol with his friends, and doesn’t pray five times a day could marry this amazing girl, so why can’t I?” - Brad

Irshad replies: I would say there is no reason you can’t marry her. The Koran would say there is no reason you can’t marry her. After all, according to the Koran, Christians are fellow “People of the Book.” Islam’s holy text also affirms that the “earlier scriptures” — the Torah and the Bible — are as divinely inspired as the Koran. And the pursuit of knowledge is something that Prophet Muhammad treasured, so search away.

The real question is: Would a cleric say there is no reason you can’t marry this Muslim woman? I asked irshadmanji.com’s imam, Dr. Khaleel Mohammed of San Diego State University, to answer your question. Here’s his reply:

    “The verse that is traditionally used by imams to prohibit an inter-religious marriage is Qur’an 5:6, which states: ‘This day, all innately good things are lawful for you… Lawful to you are the chaste women from among those who have been given the Book before you…’ Traditional imams contend that since women are mentioned, and men are not, then it must be understood that the marriage of Muslim women with non-Muslim men is forbidden.

    This, however, is problematic. For the Qur’an is addressed, because of the custom of the time, to MEN. It is for this reason that the Qur’an says, for example, “And when you divorce your wives…” or “During the nights of fasting [Ramadan] you may have sex with your wives…” What do I mean by the custom of the time? In the tribal context, the woman, once married, accepted the husband as lord and master. Therefore, a woman would presumably we the weaker party in an inter-religious relationship. Given that reality, a whole host of issues arose for Muslim scholars — issues that made them oppose inter-religious marriages for women. One issue was, whereas Muslims honor the non-Muslim prophets, followers of the other two monotheistic religions do not honor Muhammad, and that would put the Muslim woman in the terrible position of having her prophet disrespected. Another issue was that most Christians see Jesus as God, and for a Muslim to attribute divinity to a human in unthinkable. Then, too, there was the problem of the children from such a marriage, who would presumably be brought up in the religion of the male spouse.

    But remember that all of these ‘issues’ assume the woman must take the faith of her non-Muslim husband, and that is clearly not the case in your relationship. You live in a different time and a different place.

    To be sure, many Muslims would argue that the Qur’an is true for all time and all places. If we go by that logic, then we must acknowledge that the Qur’an is still sympathetic to your dream of marrying this Muslim woman. Even though you are a Christian, the Qur’an does not hold that against you. For while mentioning that there are Christians who take Jesus as God, Islam’s main document calls this ‘kufr’ (disbelief/ingratitude) rather than ’shirk’ (polytheism). It’s a significant distinction because, in another verse, the Qur’an also states that Christians who do good deeds have the right to enter heaven. Christian creedal beliefs are the same for both male and female followers of Christianity, so how can the Qur’an allow marriage to the Christian woman but not to the Christian man?

    The evidence indicates that the main hang-up is the problem I emphasized above — that the religion of the male spouse becomes dominant (as also evidenced in the Book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible). In our day, since Qur’anic Islam (as opposed to the Islam of the male jurists) must acknowledge the radical notion that women are equals of men, that women have legal rights, and that those rights include placing conditions on the marriage (what you and I would term a ‘pre-nuptial agreement’), then an inter-faith marriage can take place on condition that neither spouse will be forcibly converted to the other’s religion. As long as that condition is respected, you and she have my blessing.

    On the question of children, certainly there will be some religious confusion. But as a Muslim scholar, I can tell you that the Qur’an advocates the use of the heart and mind in forming opinions. If both parents are faithful to their interpretations of the Creator’s will, then the children will make informed decisions when they come of age.

    I would be happy to officiate at the ceremony depending on my availability. You may reach me through: www.forpeoplewhothink.org.”

Irshad’s note: Dr. Khaleel Mohammed studied Sharia at Muhammad bin Saud University in Riyadh (Sunni) and the Zeinabiyya in Damascus (Shia). He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic law from McGill University.

“I am surveying Muslim women’s masturbation habits for a leading women’s weekly. Kindly tell us your methods. Your information will be kept confidential.” — Maleeha, Kolkata, India

Irshad replies: I get off on life.

“I am a new convert to Islam. What I don’t know is how I will be able to reconcile the split message Islam holds for women: one the one hand they are precious and loved equally by Allah, but they are inherently flawed and therefore have less rights and freedoms.

I worry that my seemingly liberal fiance (who was raised in South East Asia) may have difficulty challenging everything that has been ingrained in him. I challenge him with the WHY questions - when a woman is menstruating, why can’t she pray, read Quran, or go into a mosque? He says ‘that’s just how it is. During that time of month, a woman is freed from her religious duties.’ I point out that I still have the more strenuous duties of going to my place of work, caring for my daughter, etc. I am baffled at how intelligent people do not question such teachings.

I know you’ve been getting a lot of backlash, people saying it is a negative portrayal of Islam. I don’t see that. I see potential in change. Thank you so much for having the guts to be brutally truthful. May Allah bless you.” - Tracey

Irshad replies: What I’ve been baffled by is why more women do not question such teachings. But then I’m reminded about the price of questioning — as revealed in the next letter…

“As an American married to a Pakistani, I have a close connection to both Islam and Pakistani society… My husband always says the Quran is the true word of God, because the Quran says it will never be altered in any way. I ask: ‘What if that was the FIRST line that was altered?’ He tries hard to understand my point of view, but I don’t think we’ll ever truly meet in the middle.

After 35 years of searching (I was raised a Catholic), I finally understand that I don’t belong to any religion, but that I firmly believe in God. For the first time, I don’t are what anyone else thinks! This has put a lot of strain on my marriage, but in the end I can’t change the core of who I am. Even if it ends my marriage, so be it. It’s a freeing conclusion!

I’m so happy to know I can go to the bookstore and feel there’s a kindred spirit out there WRITING AND SPEAKING!!” - Katherine, Minneapolis

Irshad replies: It’s time again to save some relationships. See the next letter…

“My brother is dating a young, foreign-born Muslim woman. She is a very nice, intelligent girl. But she is about to enter an arranged marriage to a man from Saudi Arabia and she does not wish to marry him. She and my brother are very much in love. I think her father is going to force her to go on a visit to Saudi Arabia soon. I gave her your book, at least to educate herself and open her mind more than she has so far.” - Zarya

Irshad replies: This will sound like a kooky idea, but please hear me out. The Koran tells us that women have the right to reject marriage. And if they choose marriage, they have the right to impose conditions on it (4:128). I know a Muslim woman in Montreal who married “on condition” that she could spend half the year in the Middle East with her family — without any guff from her husband. She’s been married for 10 years now and the contract with her husband remains in good shape.

Maybe your brother’s girlfriend should agree to marry the Saudi man “on condition” that she spend most of the year with your brother. The only thing they couldn’t do is have sex, which, I acknowledge, might be a deal-breaker for her and your bro. Otherwise, though, it’s an Islamically legitimate compromise. The only thing this woman would be defying is Arab tribal culture that views women as property of men. She certainly wouldn’t be violating faith: Islam is not the same as Arab custom.

Beauty is, the Saudi guy would probably reject these conditions — in which case, according to the Koran, she’s free to reject him. On the off-chance that he accepts her conditions? She will have found a civil and honest way of dealing with tensions before they reach the boiling point. And you know what happens when tensions spin out of control? People get hurled out of vehicles. Read the next letter…

“Recently, I had a very short relationship with a Sunni man. He gave me a book - Women in the Shadow of Islam - to persuade me follow him. I told him that this was a not a shadow, it was a complete blackout! The end came after a rip-roaring fight over the young woman sentenced to be stoned in Nigeria. He, very self-righteously, explained that ’she was raised in Islam; she knew right from wrong by the teachings of Allah.’ I yelled that if Allah thinks it is fine to stone a raped girl, then Allah is full of shit!’ We were driving at the time. I stopped my van and threw him out. Haven’t seen him since. He was probably relieved.” - Lorna

“I saw you on television and became increasingly interested in what you were saying, everything from the evolution of the Islamic world to acceptance (or lack thereof) of gays in that world (or any world), to the Palestinian situation. You are a gifted thinker. I wish I could take you out to dinner, but I’m a man, so I guess that wouldn’t work out.” - Michael, Baltimore, Maryland

Irshad replies: What do you mean it wouldn’t work out? If all you want is dinner, I’m big on steak and fries. Do you expect something beyond that?

“I thank you for doing what you are doing. Please keep at it. You are young, and you have charisma. Good luck to you for the sake of Muslims. And can I say I love you?” - Rahim

Irshad replies: Funny, Muslims never ask me about whether they can say “I hate you.” They just go ahead and say it. So, feel free to express the opposition emotion — and to accept my love in return.

“On your site, I have seen that you plan to publish the book in Pakistan. May I ask where I can buy a copy?” - Sarah

Irshad replies: The Trouble with Islam is being released in Pakistan as you read this. I’m told it’s available in the following stores: CLASSIC in Lahore, MR. BOOKS in Islamabad, and SAEED BOOK BANK in Islamabad and Peshawar.

Because of the book’s controversial message, though, it’s hard to know if these stores will continue carrying it. It’s being reported to me that quiet pressures and outright protests are forcing some smaller vendors to return the book.

And I have a sneaking suspicion they will. Which is why I’m covering all bases by posting the Urdu edition on this website. Like the Arabic edition, it can be downloaded free-of-charge.

Sadly, even the death threats have already begun. Check out the next email, sent to my Urdu translator:

“Its disturbing for us to know that you have translated irshad manji book into urdu. when we heard this news before at manji website, we were looking for translator and publisher in pakistan. Now we got this news on your website newislam.org that its you basterd who translated this book…. stop it basterd. we are not Taliban people but you and irshad are on our killing list. REMEMBER we are watching… we will keep watching and some day we will get you. LAST THING ask pakistani publisher to take back book from the market. we are contacting ulma [clergy] and government to stop qabli qatal masanfa [woman writer who is subject to death].” - Progressive Shia Muslim

Irshad replies (not to the would-be killer, but to the readers): The police have found that this threat originated in Toronto. Which speaks to the next point…

“Please be very careful about your personal security, Irshad. A few years ago, when I was a Commissioner with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, I interviewed a member of the Jamaat e Islami from Pakistan, who told me he was in agreement with the doctrine of his party that all atheists (meaning all apostates and lay people) should be tried and executed. I have no doubts that people like him are in Canada. (There is evidence about the presence in Canada of members of the former al-Badr militias of the Jamaat, which murdered hundreds of intellectuals in Dacca in 1971.)

Your openness, your intelligence, your gender and your philosophical views make you a tempting target for these very brutal and committed people, especially after their losses in Fallujah. You are too precious as a bridge between cultures and as a beacon of hope for young Muslim men and women. “ - John

Irshad replies (to all readers): The writer of this email has given details that might identify him/her to ill-wishers. In order to protect this writer’s professional and personal security, I have changed his/her name.

”Irshad, I read your article ‘Challenging Islam is Risky,’ and it made me confused. Why did you make it look like Theo van Gogh was killed JUST because he criticized Islam? Why did you ignore the fact this ‘criticism’ was extremely offensive, even to some non-Muslims, who found his ‘dirty’ movie to be a complete disregard of Muslim feelings. Or was the killing of van Gogh a good chance to use it for your own cause, no matter how much facts you slay?” - anonymous

Irshad replies: Van Gogh’s verbal assaults left many Muslims feeling humiliated. Agreed. But van Gogh said equally nasty things about Jews and Christians — and they refrained from slitting his throat for it. Would you argue that they should have killed him? In that case, do Muslim women who are routinely humiliated by Muslim men have the right to murder those men? If not, why the double-standard?

You’re right about something else, though: The murder of van Gogh presented the opportunity to promote “my” cause — freedom of conscience. I make no apologies for seizing that opportunity. You see, I have enough faith to believe that Islam is capable of respecting freedom of conscience. I’m sorry you don’t. Perhaps you should consult your local imam about why you lack faith in Islam’s humanitarian potential. I’ll pray for you, brother.

“With the death of Dutch filmmaker van Gogh, I was extremely troubled by the extremism displayed by Muslims… I am a person who admires the Prophet Muhammad for the human rights principles he put forward 14 centuries ago. But I am also willing to say that no law or principle will stay forever, and it needs changes. I am not asking anyone to re-write the Koran, but there should be interpretations and adaptations based on each person’s perspective. If we don’t allow the creative freedom that modern societies allow themselves to have, we [Muslims] will forever be outcasts.” - Najeeb

”I read your book and found it remarkably refreshing insofar as it was a manifestation of all the things you talk about: freedom of speech, equality and constructive discussion. Where it fell down, in my opinion, is in your plan for liberalism to be introduced via grassroots businesses for women in Muslim countries. While that is undeniably commendable, it is easily stamped down where patriarchal societies have the power to prevent women, or even men of contrary views, from setting up businesses or acting independently at all.” - Bobby

Irshad replies: You might be bang-on, Bobby. But even within the Muslim patriarchy, there can be wiggle room because of the “Sunnah,” which is the example set by the Prophet Muhammed’s behaviour. For Muslims, his behaviour carries weight. It’s his feminist behaviour, therefore, that Muslim men (and women) need to be educated about.

So, for instance, the Prophet’s cherished first wife, Khadija, was a wealthy, self-made merchant for whom the Prophet worked for many years. She was his boss. I like to remind Muslim men that the if they’re serious about emulating the Prophet’s life, they won’t simply grow long beards. They’ll also be very open to working for their wives!

Granted, this statement isn’t always met with a smile. Still, it does elicit nods of acknowledgment from Muslim men. What are they acknowledging? That accepting women as major economic players respects the Sunnah. After all, the Prophet benefited from his wife’s role as an independent businesswoman. And he was in no way threatened by her economic success.

The outstanding question is: How much force can the Sunnah have in the lives of ordinary Muslims? The next letter gives you a glimpse into the power of the Prophet’s example…

“I am a Sunni Muslim. I pray, fast, and wear hijab. I think the problems you mention are very prevalent, but they are not problems with Islam, per se. I think they are problems with culture, primarily Arab culture.

My parents are Palestinian and they taught me to never hate anyone. I don’t hate Israelis. In fact, a couple of my close friends are Israeli Jews. The reason why is because as Muslims, we should follow the example of the Prophet. The Prophet didn’t hate anyone, nor did he discriminate. I tray to take that path.” - Sara

“On the one hand we have extremist Mullahs and on the other hand we have people like you, both extreme and neither wanting to understand the beauty that is in the Koran. The Mullah only sees damnation and hellfire and you see only what you want to see. Alas, you both miss the truth. But feel free to say what you like because I believe that debate is a good thing.” - Rauf, London

Irshad replies: Glad you support debate, Rauf, because the next two folks totally disagree with you. They’re such extremists…

“We’re in the middle of reading your book and are loving it! I’m a Hindu Gujrati and my wife’s a Sunni Pakistani, both living in London most of our lives. We live in the same funny, infuriating, insane world as you. Fundamentalist mullahs on the right of us, the Shiv Sena on the left — and here we are, stuck in the middle with you! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!” - Punit and Ferhet

“Hi Irshad,

I’ve lived in England throughout my 30 years of life. During that time, I have vigorously defended my faith and my culture against the Paki-bashers that pervade English society. I have always been a devout Muslim woman, respectful to my parents and my loving husband. It was my husband who first told me about you - a traitor amongst our midst. A woman who would give succour to our enemies and fan the flames of Islamophobia.

I was lent your book about a month ago - so I could find out what we devout Muslims were up against. Know they enemy - as Sun Tzu would say. The title made me furious and almost gag and the picture of you nauseated me; a typical wanna-be-white MTV presenter bimbo with right-on trendy liberal credentials and a terrible haircut that only a lesbian could wear.

Then I sat down to read your book. And I read. I then went to your website to find out more about you. And I read.

The ideas that you present have left me stunned. The beauty of the vision of Islam that you present before me leaves me in tears. Your words are witty and self-deprecating, but they can’t hide the huge magnitude of what you put before us. For me the past month has been a a continuous wave of epiphany and awakening.

I’m embarrassed and humbled by how prejudiced I was before I actually got a chance to read your book. I now look at your picture and marvel that someone so young and beautiful can be so wise and articulate.

I still find it difficult not to instinctively justify and defend the (often barbaric) behaviour and beliefs of Muslims against the white infidels or try to deflect the blame from Islam as it is practiced today by a few misguided souls. But I see now that by doing so, I only harm our faith - and the possibility that it might sit in harmony with the world’s other great religions.

More importantly, as my son and daughter grow up and ask me about life, the universe, and everything - I’ll encourage them to read not only the Koran, but every other book they can get their hands on. To research and to learn for themselves and to challenge all the ideas that are put before before them. But most of all, to think.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!” - Nas

“Assalam alaikum, Ms. Manji:

I’m reading your wonderful and brave book for the third time now. I’m so happy to have in print something that deals with the same issues I’ve been struggling with and questioning ever since I converted to Islam. I tend to freeze up and turn incoherent when actually discussing them out loud; I find your book helps me express myself.

One of the issues that often comes up for me is the question of hijab. I live in France, and this is a charged topic. One side thinks it’s a symbol of oppression; the other side thinks that words like ’symbol of oppression’ signal racism and intolerance on the speaker’s part. So I get people at once telling me that I live in a free society and don’t have to wear ‘that thing’ on my head, while others tell me that people who use terms like ‘that thing’ are intolerant and hateful and will go to Hell. (umm…)

My standpoint is that I support a woman’s freedom to expose as much of herself as she likes. In return, I ask that my freedom be respected to conceal as much as I would like. I wear hijab clothing because this way, no one can tell if I have belly-fat or whether my hair looks salon-perfect. (I like yours by the way! Very spunky!) And because no one knows, no one can care… It’s also nice that no one can claim I dress this way because I’m forced to by an older male relative: I’m of Anglo-Polish background, pale and freckled, and I live with my Catholic boyfriend who is supportive and CERTAINLY not demanding about what I wear!

Being a Muslim has been incredibly hard. Converts are not respected, especially white ones who believe in both freedom of religion and if desired freedom FROM religion. And questioning the perfection of the Qur’an is just not done by believing Muslim women, of course. And what’s with the worship of Arabic? I speak French and English and have always been proud of that; do I need a third, now? Does God not understand if I speak in the language I’m comfortable in?

I remember that in one of your responses to a nasty letter describing how Islam is the fastest growing religion in the West, you said many people come seeking the much-vaunted simplicity of Islam and never find it. I certainly haven’t found it in the community itself (no: in the MAJORITY of the community here. I have many fantastic brothers and sisters who love and support me). But despite the frustrations, I have never regretted my choice.

I’m so thrilled that you have been brave enough to write The Trouble with Islam [en francais: Musulmane mais Libre]. I was told that reading your book would weaken my faith and that I should avoid it at all costs. I find, rather, that it has strengthened my faith. It’s by using our God-given intellects and creativities that we get closer to the Divine. Thank you so much for your efforts - I hope to see more books soon!” - Suzanne

“The only Muslims who speak the way you speak are in the WEST, an ‘enemy’ of Islam. Muslims don’t see you as an independent-minded person because of your Western influence.” - Kuirthiy, Montreal

Irshad replies: First of all, you’re writing to me from Montreal — a city in the West. So can I really trust the truth of what you’re saying? A silly argument, isn’t it? Think about that.

Now let me deal with the premise behind your argument. You suggest that Islam and the West are two separate entities. In fact, the West and Islam are intertwined. So much of “Western” pop culture was actually shaped by Muslims. For example, one of first universities in recorded history sprang up in 9th century Baghdad. Muslims gave the world mocha coffee, the guitar and even the Spanish expression “Ole!”, which has its roots in the word, “Allah”. (But please blame Ricky Martin on somebody else!) Our global responsibility today is not to determine who owns what identity —- which is Samuel Huntington’s approach in “The Clash of Civilizations” — but to determine what we all owe one another. The West owes Islam for preserving and expanding knowledge, and Islam owes the West for pushing the values of diversity — diversity of expression and not just of appearance.

Of course, European and American violence has upset Muslims. I understand and appreciate that. But in the last 100 years, more Muslims have been tortured and murdered at the hands of other Muslims than by any foreign imperial power. So is the the West really the enemy of Islam? No more so than Muslims themselves are Islam’s enemies.

Finally, there’s the mother of all assumptions: that the West corrupts Islam. In truth, it’s because of the freedoms that North America has bestowed on me — the freedoms to think, express, research, communicate, dispute and be disagreed with — that I’ve learned why I shouldn’t give up on Islam. Had I grown up in a Muslim country, I might well be an atheist in my heart. The West has saved my faith in my faith. Go figure.

“I am always surprised by how otherwise intelligent, educated people can blather on about faith in their particular god when it is obvious that when they say they have faith, it means that they have given up the right to think for themselves and have allowed some old man in fancy dress who lives in a palace to do their thinking for them (in return for money). Who appointed these old men? It cannot possibly be god since he or she was killed in the explosion of the Big Bang. As you may guess, I’m a born-again atheist and dumped the notion of faith a long time ago. But I have kept hope and charity.” - Brian

Irshad replies: I do see you as having faith — in scientific rationality. That’s fine as far as it goes. But just as theology has never been able to prove the existence of God, science has never been able to disprove it. So how do you know that your “born-again atheism” isn’t an orthodoxy unto itself?

Irshad on CBC Radio’s Ideas: Why I believe the liberal reformation of Islam is underway

Posted in Q & A on Jun 03, 2005

 

Alternet.org celebrates free-thinking in Islam — and in Irshad

Posted in Media Coverage, Q & A on Apr 08, 2005

 

Voice of America radio gives airtime to Irshad and critic

Posted in Q & A on Mar 27, 2005

 

Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten newspaper features Irshad (in Danish)

Posted in Q & A on Feb 18, 2005

Part One: http://www.irshadmanji.com/news/jyllands-posten-05-02-18-a.pdf

Part Two: http://www.irshadmanji.com/news/jyllands-posten-05-02-18-b.pdf

“Jihad? Time for Ijtihad” - Israel’s Ha’aretz interviews Irshad (Hebrew)

Posted in Q & A on Feb 01, 2005

 

Norway’s top pop culture mag profiles Irshad

Posted in Q & A on Jan 29, 2005

 

The Herald News (New Jersey) covers Irshad’s appearance at Drew U

Posted in Q & A on Dec 09, 2004

 

Chatelaine profiles Irshad (in French)

Posted in Q & A on Dec 01, 2004

 

Aspen Institute Berlin interviews Irshad, Gilles Kepel, and Steve Emerson

Posted in Q & A on Dec 01, 2004

 

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