“The Problem With Islam Today”, Or When Every Word Is Published
November 28th, 2006
My first impression from democracy, and the fabulous society in which it is implemented, was based on a picture in a history book that I read when I was almost twelve. There, a man was leaning against a wall, passionately discussing with a group. Everyone can talk, that’s fantastic! But, is it? Does it lead to anything good if everyone talks?
Recently, I came upon the book “The Problem With Islam Today”. I thought, this should be a good book about Islam. So, I advocated for it here, and I got an angry comment about it (see). In that thread, I continuously asked for what the commenter found untrue in the book. He kept using words which I had heard from all my ideology teachers. He failed to give any worthy complaint about the book, but I think I have one.
Journalism, to me, is the technique to communicate with people. In this sense, a journalist is a person who seeks truth and unveils it. But, why? What is the reason behind spending so much money to send reporters to the front? If it is all about truth, then I suspect CNN, “The Most Trusted Name In News”, must have hired an army of philosophers, in addition to the historians, sociologist, and psychiatrists, they are consulting with for any subject they are broadcasting. If it is so, why does CNN always try to sell me Anderson Cooper, and his colorful eyes, and not those genius people? Is CNN anything more than Larry King and the silly questions he asked George W. Buch?
Who is Irshad Manji? Does she hold any graduate degree in history, politics, or social sciences? I am afraid not. What is she selling us? Thoughtful ideas about the Islamic World and its problems, or unrelated personal stories interrupted by sentences to carry her hatred and frustration?
The pop culture, backed heavily by the Internet, generally, and blogging, specially, means everyone will have a voice. But these voices are not echoed similarly. Irshad is talking about serious problems. But I am afraid she does not deserve the attention she is receiving. When I started reading her book, which is generously translated into Persian and is available in her website for free, I soon realized that I am listening to a person who does not have any academic background on the topic. She is frustrated and points at deep problems in the Islamic Society, but I am afraid, after all, she is a TV host.
If they are going to pick you to be a TV host, which one is more important, your power to analyze a problem and ask important questions, or your look and how much talkative you are?
By the way, do you have any idea why the cover page of the book is decorated with her face? Also, what does it tell you that she was awarded by Oprah Winfrey? I am not a conspiracy theorist. This is not a Jewish or Zionist conspiracy against Islam. This is the pop culture using legitimate means to say “we are more than a bunch of singers and actors”. This is Angelina Jolie adopting a poor African kid. Have you ever asked an African how they think about her?
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Arash-
I don’t really agree. I find Ishard’s work a great mix of human, personal satire and well thought out and well researched critque.
I believe she is a lecturer at Harvard (no, no surprise they would hire a well-known liberal lesbian), and she posts her sources and holds herself out for all kinds of inspection and criticism.
I found her book very enlightening. I think she presents it as HER views and not as some biblical revelation.
She is such an opportunistic whore. I personally can’t stand her.
Even the liberal Muslim community aren’t fond of her. Hell, Tarek Fateh had actually criticized her rather harshly a few years back for that book of hers on MuslimWakeup.
You might be interested in checking out this author as well.
Looks interesting…
Muslims (liberal or not), most of the time, have a problem with her because she’s a lesbian.
Jina,
Probably they have a very good argument to show the relationship between someone’s sexual life and the way they relate to divinity.
That’s what’s so funny and idiotic about the whole thing. God, if there is one, made her a lesbian. Religions are so sad.
Jina, it’s not because she’s a lesbian.
It’s because she’s a sell out and a self-hating Muslim.
Danial,
Would you please tell me what exactly “a self-hating Muslim” means?
This is funny, unless the people I spoke to are not Muslims or I was in lala land during my conversation. People bash her for her homosexuality and hardly, I mean very rarely, see them argue against her points. I never said all are, I said vast majority are. Keep in mind that this is based on my conversations with Muslims living in Canada of South Asian origin.
I dont understand why someone has to have a “academic background” in order to have many revolutionary ideas. I believe that our passions come from inside us. Believe it or not Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t major in African American History and he was (and still is) a major figurehead in civil rights. I respect Irshad Manji because she fights for understanding. And not for understanding between islam and other religions but for th development of understanding between her people.
Melissa,
I see your point. I am not saying having academic background makes you the person for everything. What I am saying is that without a structured mindset you may have difficulties producing a structured discussion. To my understanding, that’s exactly her problem.
i have read her books and have heard her debate on television and I just understand where she is coming from. She just wants peace and to return islam to the beautiful religion it once was (and to some extent still is). I do not subscribe to a certain religion but I DO respect religion because I know that each religion has a basic message and that is peace. Man twists into something ugly and then people follow the word of man, not the word of God. Look at the horrors the Catholics created in the middle ages of Europe. None of that would have happend if people would have looked into their own heart, intead of a book. I may be wrong, being a humble student, but I want to think that she really wants people to think for themselves, to see what religion is within ther own hearts.
Melissa,
I have no doubt that she tries to do a good thing. What I criticize is the way she does it.
Could you explain further?
Melissa,
Do you think we can talk about this later? I am a bit busy with the events going on our around Iran. Please accept my apologies.
Yes I understand. Thanks for your time
She is an Ismaili Aga Khan… She will never criticize her true religious leader Aga Khan…
Makes her a hypocrite in my books