Is Irshad Manji mad or brave?

[Dame Edna]

Hello Possums, my very first thread on your excellent site. I'm gal with her own individual style (based on a media mega star of the same name: Dame Edna Everage) and as such thought it fitting that my first thread should be about Irshad Manji and her writings.

Irshad is also someone with her own particular style, try lesbian muslim who believes mainstream Islam is desperately in need of reform and has written a book to that effect titled "The Trouble with Islam".

For those that don't know Irshad was born of South Asian muslim parents in Uganda and after emmigrating to Canada at the age of 4 grew up in Vancouver. She has now become a media mega star hosting QueerTelevision and invited to give her views to the international media every time there is a controversy involving Islam.

Most recently Irshad and 11 others issued "A Manifesto of 12: Together Facing the New Totalitarianism" which can be read here at http://www.muslim-refusenik.com/. Love her or hate her (and there are plenty in the later category) is she just an attention seeking girl with a death wish or a courageous woman who isn't afraid of tackling the hard issues?

If I knew how I'd have included a poll, so for those that know these technical things feel free to add a poll with the options: 1. Irshad is mad, 2. Irshad is very brave.

And please Possums civilized debate from the CivFanatics, no flaming on what can be an emotive issue involving Islam.

 

[The Yankee]

Ah yes, I've seen her on a couple shows, including Real Time with Bill Maher. Maybe because of the cameras, she didn't seem wacky to me, but I have not read her writings.

 

[Dame Edna]

I didn't mean mad as in "wacky" I ment mad as in death wish. She has been accused of being a traitor to Islam and abomination (because she's lesbian) and has received numerous death threats.

 

[Babbler]

I don't know much about her. At a glace, however, I see the liberal Islam she wants it will never be (or fad out quickly or slowly, like liberal Christianity).

 

[Simon Darkshade]

She is a brave voice and one of the few who unreservedly critique the flaws of Islam in its current incarnation.

Now can we have some gladiolas or at least Sir Les Patterson's autograph?

 

[Dame Edna]

She is a brave voice and one of the few who unreservedly critique the flaws of Islam in its current incarnation.

I agree she is brave, although her life span maybe some what shorter for speaking out.

Now can we have some gladiolas or at least Sir Les Patterson's autograph?

Sir Les is on an important diplomatic mission to Saddam Hussein, something about the Australian PM's outstanding IOUs, the rest is on a need to know basis.

And I would happily throw you some gladioli if I hadn't presented my last bunch to Her Royal Highness or Lizzy as I know her.

 

[Shaihulud]

From Wikipedia:

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 [3].

Insanity only describes her behaviour for accepting any form of accolades from any thing that can be associated with Jews.

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

I absolutely loved her book. Read it after returning from the ME and wanting to get lots of viewpoints on Islam. She is a brave soul that has certainly put herself in danger. However, I think she will have little impact on the view of the average Muslim as she will no longer be considered one of them by most.