The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith 1st Edition

by Irshad Manji (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0312326999

ISBN-10: 0312326998

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"I have to be honest with you. Islam is on very thin ice with me....Through our screaming self-pity and our conspicuous silences, we Muslims are conspiring against ourselves. We're in crisis and we're dragging the rest of the world with us. If ever there was a moment for an Islamic reformation, it's now. For the love of God, what are we doing about it?"

In blunt, provocative, and deeply personal terms, Irshad Manji unearths the troubling cornerstones of mainstream Islam today: tribal insularity, deep-seated anti-Semitism, and an uncritical acceptance of the Koran as the final, and therefore superior, manifesto of God. In this open letter to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, Manji asks arresting questions. "Who is the real colonizer of Muslims - America or Arabia? Why are we all being held hostage by what's happening between the Palestinians and the Israelis? Why are we squandering the talents of women, fully half of God's creation? What's our excuse for reading the Koran literally when it's so contradictory and ambiguous? Is that a heart attack you're having? Make it fast. Because if more of us don't speak out against the imperialists within Islam, these guys will walk away with the show."

Manji offers a practical vision of how the United States and its allies can help Muslims undertake a reformation that empowers women, promotes respect for religious minorities, and fosters a competition of ideas. Her vision revives Islam's lost tradition of independent thinking. This book will inspire struggling Muslims worldwide to revisit the foundations of their faith. It will also compel non-Muslims to start posing the important questions without fear of being deemed "racists." In more ways than one, The Trouble with Islam is a clarion call for a fatwa-free future.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This "call for reform" reads like an open letter to the Muslim world. Irshad Manji, a Toronto-based television journalist, was born to Muslim parents in South Africa. Her family eventually fled to Canada when she was two years old. Manji shares her life experiences growing up in a Western Muslim household and ask some compelling questions from her feminist-lesbian-journalist perspective. It is interesting to note that Manji has been lambasted for being too personal and not scholarly enough to have a worthwhile opinion. Yet her lack of pretense and her intimate narrative are the strengths of this book. For Muslims to dismiss her opinions as not worthy to bring to the table is not only elitist; it underscores why she feels compelled to speak out critically. Intolerance for dissent, especially women's dissent, is one of her main complaints about Islam. Clearly, her goal was not to write a scholarly critique, but rather to speak from her heartfelt concern about Islam. To her fellow Muslims she writes:

I hear from a Saudi friend that his country's religious police arrest women for wearing red on Valentines Day, and I think, Since when does a merciful God outlaw joyor fun? I read about victims of rape being stoned for "adultery" and I wonder how a critical mass of us can stay stone silent.

She asks tough questions: "What's with the stubborn streak of anti-Semitism in Islam? Who is the real colonizer of the Muslims-America or Arabia? Why are we squandering the talents of women, fully half of God's creation?" This is not an anti-Muslim rant. Manji also speaks with passionate love and hope for Islam, believing that democracy is compatible with its purest doctrine. Sure, she's biased and opinionated. But all religions, from Christianity to Buddhism to Islam should be accountable for how their leadership and national allegiances personally affect their followers. One would hope that this honest voice be met with a little more self-scrutiny and a little less anti-personal, anti-feminine, and anti-Western rhetoric. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

Islam is "on very thin ice" with one follower, Canadian broadcaster Manji. Her book will be an unsettling read for most of her fellow Muslims, although they may find themselves agreeing with many points. She describes how childhood days spent at her local mosque left her perplexed and irritated; she complains that the Middle East conflict has consumed Muslim minds. She highlights several grievances many Muslims probably share: what she casts as Saudi Arabia's disproportional and destructive influence on Islam, how the hijab, or veil, has become a litmus test for a Muslim woman's faithfulness, and the need to question the accuracy of hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). The exclusion of women from Muslim leadership is criticized as well. However, Manji's arguments would be better taken-and easier to follow-if not accompanied by an unceasing list of Islam's misdeeds. Manji often chooses the most controversial Koranic passages (rarely providing current scholarship for a more accurate reading of key verses), and her treatment of Islamic history is selective. She mistakes the negative fan mail she receives from Muslims who have seen her on television for the views of all Muslims, and lambastes those who present a sympathetic view of Islam, including the late scholar Edward Said. The writing, though energetic, is unfocused, with personal stories that are sometimes confusing. Although the book raises important points, Manji's angry tone and disjointed writing may obscure some of the valid questions she asks of Islam and Muslims.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Uganda-born Manji fled with her Muslim family of South Asian extraction to Canada when she was two. Growing up there, she was affected as much by North American as by Muslim social conventions, and she became a woman with a career (in broadcasting) and an out lesbian. She remains Muslim, though "hanging on by my fingernails." She questions the sexism, anti-intellectualism, moral superiority and evasion, anti-Semitism, and Arab chauvinism she sees in Islam's public face. And, casting the book as a long open letter, she poses her questions, backed by hard facts and experience, directly to fellow Muslims. Of course, she doesn't shun non-Muslim readers (indeed, her vernacular style encourages them), who stand to be powerfully edified by her critique as well as relieved that, for once, they aren't being blamed for Islam's problems. She maintains that the Qur'an doesn't mandate the evils she sees in institutional Islam and that liberalization is as possible for Islam as it has been for Christianity and Judaism. Her sassy but earnest perspective seems a godsend. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"...feels like a revelation...a raw nerve ending for the West - shocking, raw, but mercifully, joyously, still alive."
- Andrew Sullivan, New York Times Book Review, 1/25/2004

"Irshad Manji is a fresh, new and intriguing voice of Islamic reform. This wonderfully written book will surprise you, educate you, even entertain you."
- Alan Dershowitz, author of The Case for Israel

"[Manji's] ideas have already set off a searching debate."-Clifford Krauss, The New York Times

"Tightly reasoned and packed with knockout punches."-Pat Donnelly, Montreal Gazette

"Manji is blazingly articulate."-Margaret Wente, The Globe and Mail (Canada)

"The Trouble with Islam is beyond controversial. It may ignite a firestorm of protest...her easy conversational style, addressed to 'my fellow Muslims,' makes it accessible to a wide range of readers."-Leslie Scrivener, The Toronto Star

"Irshad Manji is a fresh, new and intriguing voice of Islamic reform. This wonderfully written book will surprise you..."\ (Alan Dershowitz, author of The Case for Israel)

"[Manji's] ideas have already set off a searching debate." (Clifford Krauss, The New York Times)

"Tightly reasoned and packed with knockout punches." (Pat Donnelly, Montreal Gazette)

"Manji is blazingly articulate." (Margaret Wente, The Globe and Mail (Canada))

"The Trouble with Islam is beyond controversial. It may ignite a firestorm of protest…her easy conversational style, addressed to 'my fellow Muslims,' makes it accessible to a wide range of readers." (Leslie Scrivener, The Toronto Star)

About the Author

Irshad Manji is a journalist, television personality, and writer-in-residence at the University of Toronto.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (January 16, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312326998
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312326999
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.76 x 0.9 x 8.66 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,120,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #219 in Islam (Books)
- #1,295 in Gender Studies (Books)

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Top reviews from the United States

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EricS

The book as written by the author is really respectful ...

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2015

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The book as written by the author is really respectful and readable, a difficult job given the task. The author has some fresh insights that challenge "settled wisdom" in three spheres: Islam, Arab and middle eastern society, and western democratic society. Her perspective draws on the common values that all three hold dear. It will, of course, enrage some loud people in all three spheres, but that has not dissuaded her from her effort, nor has it given her a mean or hostile tone towards any of those who will try to shout her down. Bravo!

The copy I received should have been "near perfect", but it turned out that the vendor lied. Instead of getting a clean copy, I got one chock full of inane comments and multi-coloured underlining by the first owner. BOO! HISS! to the vendor.

3 people found this helpful

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Ralph White

Almost Perfect

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2014

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Irshad Manji's book is a major contribution to the growing body of work by women disaffected by Islam. She adds her name to the likes of Ayan Hirsi Ali, Brigitte Gabriel, and Wafa Sultan. She is a courageous woman and an excellent writer. She misses on only one point and it is a point which goes to the core of the matter. It isn't Islam which is the problem. No one cares what faith people follow or what their religious convictions are. The problem is sharia, which is frequently, and inaccurately, referred to as "religious law." It is in fact a violent, repressive, and totalitarian political code. When Islam is able to disengage from sharia it is inoccuous. When sharia is rigorously imposed it transforms Islam from a mere religion to a fascist political system. Separating the religion from the politics has ample precedent, for instance in Turkey and Kazakhstan. Alas, they are the exceptions. Ms. Manji's book misses this point but it doesn't miss much else and hers is a welcome, clear, rational voice.

8 people found this helpful

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MLLombard

Something to Think About on Almost Every Page

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2016

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I finished this book a few weeks ago and have been thinking about it ever since. I found it to be thoughtful and insightful. It is written as an open letter to all Muslims and as such takes on a very conversational tone. It is a very easy read with something to think about on almost every page.

This is a book every American should read.

3 people found this helpful

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S. Kohn

A Fine Read

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2008

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The book is an ideal combination of fact and personal reaction--all on a very sensitive subject.

And because Manji is able to juggle the two well, the book never becomes ponderous or shrill.

Her own experiences growing up and adolescent battles against teachers and doctrinaire views of Islam have given her the strength as an adult to try to integrate the religion in which she was born with her life. And after all of this in her conclusion she still is not sure where she is heading--leaving her religion or sticking with it and trying to reform it.

Her insights as a woman are crucial in discussing a religion that has made a mockery of equality and her views on micro-loans provide an interesting insight into how woman can have a more equal role.

Particularly fascinating to me was her approach to Arabic Islam and its roots in codes of the desert tribes--and the incompatibility with Islam away from the Mid-East.

The length and quality of writing, combined with Manji's willingness to inject herself and her fine sense of irony made the book a great weekend read. The kind that makes the reader say "Why can't there be another 100 pages?'

3 people found this helpful

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Ralph O. Aeschliman

What do we do about Islam?

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2011

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The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith is a bold, honest, thoughtful, intelligent, sincere effort to deal with the problems that seem inherent in Islam and in Islam's relation to the rest of the world. Irshad Manji confronts all the issues with candor, humor, and intelligence. Her stand is that Islam can be worked on and changed from the inside. Her understanding of the history of Islam combined with her travels and experience give the book perspective and relevance in today's world.

It is perhaps ironic that all the virtues of this book find severe conflict with the 'radical' muslim element who command the majority viewpoint in the world. Because of this Irshad's very life is in danger because she has the audacity to even question or examine muslim tenents with the light of reason. This is a good read and very helpful to us 'infidels' who can't understand the violent and brutal events that are done in the name of Islam.

4 people found this helpful

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Claire Goodman

Thought-provoking

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2013

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As a non-Muslim currently living in a Muslim country, I found this book very informative. Yes, I'm surrounded by information on and views about Islam every day, but few, if any, come from a critical source. We all need to examine our beliefs - that doesn't mean we're dropping them; examining them can often make them stronger. Unexamined faith isn't likely to lead to true understanding.

This book gave detailed information about modern Islam but also about the author's personal experience with it. The combination of the two gives a great starting point for really looking at the faith.

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

BJW

A Brave insight into being a Muslim whilst coping with its 'laws' and 'restrictions' in a western world .. read it!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2015

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Having watched a short video of an interview with Irshad Manjii and also with Islam and Muslims being topical at present, I purchased her book 'The Trouble with Islam Today'.
She came across as a very courageous lady who, despite being lesbian, doesn't wear a hijab; is outspoken and articulate and is a practising Muslim, I had to read what she had to say.
I wanted to read this, not because I'm racist or anti Muslim or Islam, quite the reverse I take the view that each to their own, whatever faith or belief you follow it should encompass tolerance and acceptance of others.
There is not enough police, soldiers or security personnel in the world to guard against terrorism, the solution has to come from within, our communities and in particular the Muslim communities.
Although my knowledge of Muslims and Islam is limited, such is the concern globally of Islamism we, non-Muslims, have to be proactive to understand what makes people, in the name of religion, kill, maim and torture others of a different persuasion and equally, why others of that religion, at best turn a blind eye or worse promote terrorism by keeping their communities' activities isolated from others so that radicalisation seems an attractive option to peace and harmony.

2 people found this helpful

O'Keef

Wonderfull Book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2016

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I already had a copy of this and loved it. I lent my copy to a friend and he demanded I get him his own copy.
So I did.
The book is very well contructed and fully explanitory.
I now know a lot more than I did and certain points on Islam have been explained to me.

One person found this helpful

kandyman

A must read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2013

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A courageous muslim who loves Islam but is not preoared to follow blindly. She certainly is not afraid to tackle prickly issues head on and being muslim shows immense bravery.
If more muslims ask questions of their religion then perhaps the fundamentalist will not be able to manipulate the masses and create over a billion victims.
Every religion must be able to accept criticism and discuss its shortcomings openly without the threat of violence. The fact that the author requires body guards says a lot in itself about the intolerance of a minority who are emboldened by the silence of the majority.

yh30264

An Enlightening read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2015

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Having read the Quran and two conflicting biographies of Mohammed, and found very little there to understand why anyone would genuinely want to be a Muslim, I found it refreshing to read thoughts from a Muslim point of view that does question why Islam is so sterile and narrow-minded.

Also , the book is extremely well written and even has quite humorous considering the subject matter. (not something you can ever associate with Islam).

This should be recommended reading in all schools (though unlikely to be in many madrasas).

Manto

Very brave attempt indeed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2013

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What a book, a complete and exhaustive list of everything wrong with Islam today from one of it's very own. irshad is a reformist with a mission, I wish her well in her endeavour. She is a courageous girl who will succeed, I am sure. I particularly enjoyed the comparison she made between muons of North America and Europe. I think Europe has to do a lot of answering for it's treatment of Muslims as second and third class citizens. Well dome Irshad, may God give you strength.

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The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith 1st Edition

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