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Gutsy, good and more global than ever

Posted in Announcements on Apr 10, 2008

My charitable foundation, Project Ijtihad, is reaching new heights in publicizing the message of Muslim reform and moral courage.

We’re now partnering with TakingITGlobal (”IT” as in “information technology” — get it?). TakingITGlobal is an non-profit organization that connects youth in every hemisphere to discuss today’s most important issues.

Each month for the next six months, TakingITGlobal’s website will feature my hand-picked Agent of Moral Courage — someone who’s speaking truth to power in his or her own community for the sake of a greater good.

Challenging your own is always more intimidating than pointing fingers at outsiders. After all, when hold your community to account, you’re losing the security blanket of instant belonging.

It’s because this demands serious guts that I want to give these individuals as big a platform as I can. TakingITGlobal’s site engages hundreds of thousands of young people in more than 180 countries. They thirst for inspiration. The Agents of Moral Courage can deliver.

This month, Project Ijtihad is highlighting two Agents of Moral Courage: Mohamed Adam Yahya and Suad Monsour. They’re refugees of the genocide in Darfur. Despite having lost their homes and family members to Arab militias (known as Janjaweed), these morally gutsy individuals are exercising their voices to demand positive action from the Arab world itself. I love their refusal to wallow in victimhood.

Last month, Project Ijtihad selected Deeyah, a young Muslim woman who’s using her musical talent to decry honor crimes that are committed under the banner of Islam. In the past, I’ve blogged about honor as well as about Deeyah. She — and the cause of human rights — deserve to be debated by youth around the globe.

The Agents of Moral Courage won’t always be Muslims. Check this space every month to learn about Project Ijtihad’s next pick.

If you want to move beyond reading to participate in the mission for moral courage, there’s a world of support waiting for you.