Irshad Manji: Difference between revisions
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== Biography == |
== Biography == |
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Manji was born in [[Uganda]], but moved to Canada at age three, when [[Idi Amin]] exiled all South |
Manji was born in [[Uganda]], but moved to [[Canada]] at age three, when [[Idi Amin]] exiled all [[South Asia]]ns from that country. She mentioned in her book that she had a turbulent time as a youth, including an incident when her father chased her around the house holding a knife. She studied history at the [[University of British Columbia]], and became the first humanities student to win the [[Governor-General]]'s Gold Medal for the top graduate. |
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Between [[1998]] and [[2001]], she was the host and senior producer of ''[[Q Files]]'' on [[Citytv]]. She was also the host and producer of ''In The Public Interest'' on [[Vision TV]], and was involved in the televised debate series ''Friendly Fire''. |
Between [[1998]] and [[2001]], she was the host and senior producer of ''[[Q Files]]'' on [[Citytv]]. She was also the host and producer of ''In The Public Interest'' on [[Vision TV]], and was involved in the televised debate series ''Friendly Fire''. |
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Manji is the current President of VERB, a Canadian channel aimed at young people and specializing in diversity. She hosts the ''Big Ideas'' program on [[TVOntario]], and is a writer-in-residence at the [[University of Toronto]]. |
Manji is the current President of VERB, a Canadian channel aimed at young people and specializing in diversity. She hosts the ''Big Ideas'' program on [[TVOntario]], and is a writer-in-residence at the [[University of Toronto]]. |
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Manji was awarded [[Oprah Winfrey]]'s first annual [[Chutzpah]] Award for "audacity, nerve, boldness and conviction". She is also a recipient of the Simon Wiesenthal Award of Valor. Manji has spoken at a number of forums, including the International Women’s Forum Leadership Conference and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference on Technology, Learning and Culture. She is also involved in the international public speaking circuit. |
Manji was awarded [[Oprah Winfrey]]'s first annual [[Chutzpah]] Award for "audacity, nerve, boldness and conviction". She is also a recipient of the [[Simon Wiesenthal Center|Simon Wiesenthal]] Award of Valor. Manji has spoken at a number of forums, including the International Women’s Forum Leadership Conference and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference on Technology, Learning and Culture. She is also involved in the international public speaking circuit. |
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Manji's partner is [[Michelle Douglas]], a Canadian activist. |
Manji's partner is [[Michelle Douglas]], a Canadian activist. |
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== Views == |
== Views == |
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Manji has been a strong critic of the treatment of women, |
Manji has been a strong critic of the treatment of women, gays, lesbians and [[Jew]]s in [[Islam]]. She does not wear the [[hijab]] or [[chador]], suggesting that it is only the wives of [[Muhammad]] who are required to wear the garments. She has also been critical of [[Muslim]] attitudes towards [[Israel]] and the [[Palestinian]] leadership itself. |
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She has argued for a renewed questioning of historical interpretations of the |
She has argued for a renewed questioning of historical interpretations of the [[Qur'an]], and advocated the concept of ''ijtihad'', "the Muslim tradition of independent thinking". Manji is a friend of controversial writer [[Salman Rushdie]], and has received numerous death threats. The windows of her apartment are fitted with bullet-proof glass. |
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== Criticism == |
== Criticism == |
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Her views on Islam and attitude towards Israel are considered fringe by many |
Her views on [[Islam]] and attitude towards [[Israel]] are considered fringe by many [[Muslim]]s. Many would not want her to be their spokesman any more than [[Osama bin Laden]] is, on the other end of the spectrum. Most Muslims do not see her as one of them anymore, but rather as an [[apostate]]. Her writings on Islam have been criticized because they lack scholarly credibility, and her lack of knowledge for being one (e.g. she does not know [[Arabic language|Arabic]], but insists on interpreting [[Qur'an]] according to her understanding of the [[English language|English]] translation). |
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The attention given to her in the media is seen by many Muslims as disproportionate when compared to her qualifications. Her critics argue that she says what the western media want to hear about Islam. She has been debated on TV programs by Muslim scholars, such as [[Jamal Badawi]]. |
The attention given to her in the media is seen by many Muslims as disproportionate when compared to her qualifications. Her critics argue that she says what the western media want to hear about Islam. She has been debated on TV programs by Muslim scholars, such as [[Jamal Badawi]]. |
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Revision as of 15:02, 13 February 2005
Irshad Manji (born 1969) is a Canadian Muslim author, journalist, and activist. A lesbian, feminist, and critic of Islamic fundamentalism, she was once described by The New York Times as "Osama bin Laden's worst nightmare".
Biography
Manji was born in Uganda, but moved to Canada at age three, when Idi Amin exiled all South Asians from that country. She mentioned in her book that she had a turbulent time as a youth, including an incident when her father chased her around the house holding a knife. She studied history at the University of British Columbia, and became the first humanities student to win the Governor-General's Gold Medal for the top graduate.
Between 1998 and 2001, she was the host and senior producer of Q Files on Citytv. She was also the host and producer of In The Public Interest on Vision TV, and was involved in the televised debate series Friendly Fire.
Manji is the current President of VERB, a Canadian channel aimed at young people and specializing in diversity. She hosts the Big Ideas program on TVOntario, and is a writer-in-residence at the University of Toronto.
Manji was awarded Oprah Winfrey's first annual Chutzpah Award for "audacity, nerve, boldness and conviction". She is also a recipient of the Simon Wiesenthal Award of Valor. Manji has spoken at a number of forums, including the International Women’s Forum Leadership Conference and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference on Technology, Learning and Culture. She is also involved in the international public speaking circuit.
Manji's partner is Michelle Douglas, a Canadian activist.
Views
Manji has been a strong critic of the treatment of women, gays, lesbians and Jews in Islam. She does not wear the hijab or chador, suggesting that it is only the wives of Muhammad who are required to wear the garments. She has also been critical of Muslim attitudes towards Israel and the Palestinian leadership itself.
She has argued for a renewed questioning of historical interpretations of the Qur'an, and advocated the concept of ijtihad, "the Muslim tradition of independent thinking". Manji is a friend of controversial writer Salman Rushdie, and has received numerous death threats. The windows of her apartment are fitted with bullet-proof glass.
Criticism
Her views on Islam and attitude towards Israel are considered fringe by many Muslims. Many would not want her to be their spokesman any more than Osama bin Laden is, on the other end of the spectrum. Most Muslims do not see her as one of them anymore, but rather as an apostate. Her writings on Islam have been criticized because they lack scholarly credibility, and her lack of knowledge for being one (e.g. she does not know Arabic, but insists on interpreting Qur'an according to her understanding of the English translation).
The attention given to her in the media is seen by many Muslims as disproportionate when compared to her qualifications. Her critics argue that she says what the western media want to hear about Islam. She has been debated on TV programs by Muslim scholars, such as Jamal Badawi.
Books
- Risking Utopia: On the Edge of a New Democracy (1997)
- The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith (2002) Bestseller in Canada, sold many copies around the world, and has been translated into Arabic and Urdu.