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Your letters - posted January 1, 2007 (Part 1)

Posted in Q & A on Jan 01, 2007

“As a journalist, you should dig deep into your conscience and intellect (if you have any). You will find the real culprits behind 9-11. Maybe then you’ll realize how much damage you’re doing to Islam and Muslims. You will sooner or later pay for your pack of lies.” - unsigned

“I applaud you for putting out the call for Muslim self-examination. The vulnerability that Muslims feel ought not to be used to shelter critique. However, it’s important to distinguish between anti-Zionist policies and anti-Jewish ones.” - Ameena, Toronto

“Writers, Ms. Manji, are supposed to have some respect for the truth - a truth you’ll never hear from the professional liars of the Jewish lobby!” - Peter, Calgary

“I don’t agree with some of your ideas but I can still give you credit for your quite logical and coherent thinking, and because you cherish pluralistic openness… It is heart-warming to read something witty and still balanced about sexuality and religion, exceptionally nice to read it from the other side of the Atlantic.  And, of course, I give you even more credit for your self-reflection.  Warm thanks from an old-fashioned Christian white male Finn.” - Jussi, Kuopio, Finland

“Ms. Manji, your voice of truth rings with sincerity.  It is beautiful.  I will do my utmost to have it resound throughout the world.” - Nancy, Melbourne, Australia

“These Western countries of whom you are a stooge, they have nothing but venom for Islam.  You have nothing but praise for them.  What kind of freedom do you have [in North America]?  Maybe you don’t know.  Look deeper and you will find the truth.  Even the hair on your head stands up in protest of your lies. You will never be forgiven, Irshad Manji.” - unsigned

“Brava! I only wish your co-religionists will listen to you.  Rather, I fear, they will try to shut you up. Good luck!” - Gretchen, Alexandria, Virginia

“As a Jewish youth, it was always understood (at least to me) that my religion welcomed interpretation, discussion, and openness to other societies.  I supposed I figured other religions were the same way. Maybe it comes down to the definition of Islam - ’sacrifice to G-d’ - and the definition of Israel - ’struggle with G-d’ - and those who follow those meanings literally.” - Michael, New York

“Wake up and search for testimonies by ex-Muslims who are now true Christians, Mrs. Manji. Use your common sense and explore the truth.” - Jack, Plano, Texas

“Irshad, if you can pardon the expression, you deserve a yashar koach.  It’s nice to know that some Muslims can seek peace with us, even if they are thousands of miles away from the holy land.  It truly is time for a fresh voice on the Arab side.  We need a fresh voice on ours too.” - Reuven, Jerusalem

“In this time of great difficulty for Muslims, I would not be surprised, even without your painful background, if you hoped to distance yourself, to seem less Muslim by criticizing the religion and culture.  Many Blacks have tried to pass for white, many gays have tried to pass for straight, and many Jews converted to Catholicism in an attempt to escape the holocaust. (Many Jews will remember their own people acting as enforcers for the Nazis, in order to save their own necks.) Perhaps now some Muslims may attempt to pass as pro-Zionist to escape anti-Arab sentiment. I must remind you that you are young, and you will no doubt go through many morphings before you reach my advanced age, and will modify many of your opinions as you gain more experience and a broader education.  This happens to all of us who choose to retain as much of our youthful idealism as possible, while working to grow as individuals throughout our lives.  And those of us with lower profiles are fortunate not to wreak much damage along the way.  But you have deliberately chosen a high-profile existence, and are in a position to do a great deal of damage if you don’t do the hard work of learning to separate your personal biases and resentments from Islam.” - Corinne, Ottawa, Canada

“Your views are very refreshing in the hate-filled atmosphere in which the Mid East conflict is submerged… During the first Intifada, hundreds of Palestinian Arabs were murdered by their own for voicing different opinions, such as yours. Not until there is freedom in the Palestinian camp for democratic and valiant stands will there be any chance of achieving a true peace between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs.” - Alexander, Lima, Peru

“Point-scoring in the quest for moral higher ground in organized religion is a futile exercise.  Atrocities have been committed in the name of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other religions.  But is anyone calling Christianity to task because George W - a ‘true believer’ - is perverting the teachings of Christ with every bomb he drops on starving Afghan villagers? Did anyone hold Judaism responsible for Baruch Goldstein’s murder of Muslim worshippers in Hebron?” - Hadani, Vancouver

“It has always struck me as tragic that many Christians have hated Jews, and many Muslims have hated both, since, as you point out, the later religions could not exist without the earlier ones. But the powerful sociology of The Other transcends the obvious.  Difference alone is perceived as a threat, in the cognitive error that one characteristic of a person determines the whole, as well as a person’s whole worth.  In this context, group control and manipulation are both goal and result, as the ghastly crimes committed in the false name of religion repeatedly show. If a solution to hate is to be found in introspection and trustful questioning, then I am glad that we people like you helping to think our way through a centuries-old problem.” - Paul, Ancaster, Ontario

“I am still disappointed that I have never read in any paper or seen on TV a Muslim leader condemn the Palestinian suicide bombers.  If it were Israeli or American soldiers conducting a war in that fashion, there would be such a hue and cry.  Can someone explain to me, as if I were 12 years old, why the world does not rise up in unison against these acts? Excuse my colloquialism but do the world’s intellectuals have shit for brains?” - Frank, Victoria, B.C.

“I am a Christian minister and I trust that your writing will, as you say, help people of all religions to ‘mature into citizens, defending the very pluralism of interpretations and values that makes it possible for us to be here in the first place.’” - Eugene, Denver, Colorado

“To all those who write: Just a word of warning about Ms. Manji! She is a Radical Leftist Anti-American Lesbian! I live here in the Great White North and have the displeasure many times of seeing this puke on TV, bashing Conservative policies.  You want to be very careful hitching yourself to this woman!” - Devon, Edmonton, Alberta

“Wow.  Irshad, you are a jewel.  I am Jewish, and have prayed to God for one reasonable Muslim voice so I can quell my anger.  You are the one, and I am crying.” - Judy, Toronto