A Muslim speaks out for reform in Islam (virtual, America)

[Djamila]

And it's no wonder Irshan Manji doesn't like Rania al'Abdullah. For one thing, Rania is a beautiful, well-mannered Queen - Irshan Manji is none of those things. For another, Rania is Palestinian - and we all know how Irshan Manji feels about them.

Rania is pushing for change within Muslim countries, combatting patriarchial cultures - not the religion itself. She's having a tremendous impact - both literally and metaphorically. You can literally lay your hands on the schools she's built for girls, and the hospitals she's built for children. And she's doing this respectfully. She's not on television with Conservative radio hosts talking about all "the trouble" with Islam, she's actually doing something about it - and so centered within the community that most people in the West have never heard of her.

And that's something I greatly admire.

Irshan Manji is standing on the front step of her home screaming about what everyone's done to her grass - all the neighborhood dogs have pooped on it, all the children have stepped on it.

Rania al'Abdullah is the backyard of her home, making a beautiful garden and sharing it with the neighborhood kids.

And that's the difference between them, and why I will never admire Irshan Manji.

[YmirGF]

That's nice but perhaps you would rather start another thread regarding your personal heroine. Guess you didn't want to answer my question, eh. (Nice picture of her and Laura standing with their respective husbands though.)

[Djamila]

It all comes down to that quote:

Be the change you want to make.

[Djamila]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

That's nice but perhaps you would rather start another thread regarding your personal heroine. Guess you didn't want to answer my question, eh.

You didn't ask a question? At least not one that needs an answer - it was just a statement with a question mark at the end. What do you want me to answer?

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by Djamila

You didn't ask a question? At least not one that needs an answer - it was just a statement with a question mark at the end. What do you want me to answer?

It's all very well to talk about empowerment and equality when one is the Queen of a nation. It is quite another thing to attempt it from "street level".

But you're right. Why bother talking about it. We can all sit complacently with our collective heads in the sand or in other darker places and pretend the difficulties facing Islam out of existence. Yes, that will work.

[NoahideHiker]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

I just finished watching the Glen Beck show. Tonight Glen's guest was an eloquent dear lady called Irshad Manji. What a remarkable young lady this person is. One of her basic premises as explained in her book The Trouble with Islam Today is this. Irshad does not blame just Muslim's who are extremists, but points the finger directly at "moderate" Muslims for their relative silence.

She clearly and passionately outlined how so-called "moderates" are complicit in the horrors and atrocities committed by the extremist fundamentalist factions because they are AFRAID to question their assertions and also the entrenched thinking of so-called Muslim "scholars". (Frankly, that has been my thinking for some time now, too. It is refreshing hearing your thoughts come from one within the religion itself. That IS an eye-opener.)

She is rather insistent that things do not have to be this way and feels that Islam itself contains the seeds to reform within Islam itself. She also flatly denied that Islam is NOT the problem itself as so many self-described “moderates” always insist “this is not Islam”. She explained very convincingly and clearly WHY. Her point is that the radicals “get away” with their interpretations because no one has the courage to stand up and “take them to task” “lest they be judged”. Frankly, I am smitten and I consider her to be a wonderful and brilliant speaker.

Note: Irshad Manji is a practicing Muslim and has no plans of "leaving the fold". Her sincere hope is to get Muslims to start talking, as espoused so much in the Noble Qur'an, to think critically of the very things they have accepted and believe.

I am curious what both Muslims and non-Muslims make of this remarkable speaker.

Her website is: Muslim Refusenik

Her book, The Trouble with Islam Today can be downloaded in the following languages for FREE:

Arabic
Urdu
Persian

English speaking folks are expected to buy the book and I certainly plan to.
The Trouble with Islam Today at Amazon.com

By golly, I think there is hope... maybe. What do you think?

Edit: I couldn't help but think of our own Djamila as I sat listening to this beautiful creature, resplendant in neat spikey hair, with no trace of a hajib anywhere in sight. What do you think of her Djamila?

I am personally perplexed by the whole Muslim religion. I think her views can be somewhat dismissed because she is a more liberal brand of Muslim speaking about a more traditional brand of Islam. But on the other hand I get very frustrated by the seemingly silence of the moderate Muslim community. I believe a religion should police it's own but no one seems to be doing so. Islam as a whole is not doing this. IMHO of course.

[NoahideHiker]

Oh, and Glen Beck rawks! He's one of the few who look at things differently and honestly.

[YmirGF]

Originally Posted by NoahideHiker

Oh, and Glen Beck rawks! He's one of the few who look at things differently and honestly.

You gotta love a host that says good night at the end of the show with "Goodnight you sick twisted freaks!" I take it as a sign of mutual admiration. And I do agree. Unlike most "network" TV, Mr. Beck seems to actually talk about real things. My god he actually talks about how he feels for pity sakes. Me, I agree, Glen ROCKS!

[Comprehend]

I agree that a big problem with Islam is that the moderates will not reign in the extremists. IMO they are due for a reformation, suicide bombers and truck bombs are so last century.

I agree with the moderates that what the extremists are doing is not what islam teaches but if the moderates do not stop the extremists, there may not be any moderates left in a few decades. The rest of the world is not going to sit by forever and let the extremists go nuts. They are causing problems on every continent except antartica. Are the moderate muslims going to stop this or will the rest of the world have to do it?

I am sure mohammad (pbuh) is rolling over in his grave.