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The Trouble With Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith. Published in more than 30 countries and languages.

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Audio Book

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The Trouble With Islam Today, narrated in English by Irshad Manji, with music by Deeyah and Gary Justice.

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Reformist Quran

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A progressive, 21st-century translation -- in English. The U.S. publisher bailed on it after the Prophet Muhammad cartoon riots. But fear didn't stop the translators.

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Are we ready to laugh about terrorism?

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts, Q & A on Feb 01, 2010

After Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab grilled his groin on Christmas Day, amateur satirists wasted no time in assigning him nicknames: the Jockstrap Jihadi, the Undie-Bomber and my personal favorite, Fruit of Ka-Boom.

Does all the giggling, chuckling and outright satirizing mean that we, as a society, are ready to laugh about terrorism? Before you answer, watch this video clip from “Four Lions,” a new British movie about radicalized Muslims plotting an attack:

When BBC Radio asked for my thoughts about the video clip, I replied, “Hilarious. But the brilliance of comedy, like anything, depends on how it’s delivered. This particular scene makes violent jihadists look like fools. More spoofing might — might! — lessen fear among some members of the public, showing that we can challenge Islamists rather than cower before them. My worry would be that such comedy makes more of the public complacent, as if all jihadists are buffoons. We should know by now that they’re not.”

So I return to my question: Are we, as a society, ready to laugh about terrorism? Join the discussion on my Facebook page.

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Documentary

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Irshad's PBS Documentary: Faith Without Fear follows my journey around the world to reconcile Islam and freedom.

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Irshad is pioneering efforts throughout the world to promote Muslim reform and moral courage. To join her mission, first get informed about all that she's doing.

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