Irshad Manji

Assalamu alaikum,

Irshad Manji is at it again!  Of all the Muslims in Canada, the Toronto Star newspaper chose to run an opinion piece by her on the alleged desecration of the Qur'an by Americans.  This is just one of her quotes:

"One can appreciate the Qur'an's inherent worth, as I do, while recognizing that it contains ambiguities, inconsistencies, outright contradictions - and the possibility of human editing."

Good grief!!!

The whole article can be found at www.thestar.com.  Type in "Riots and rage won't salvage Islam's honour" in the 7 day search bar (the article appeared on May 19).  Click on the one with that title that says [opinion] beside it.

*Note: you might have to become a member to log in and read the article (it is free), though they used to allow you so many "free" reads before asking that you become a member.

Peace, ummziba.

As said by Brother Nadir: (Quote)

When a Muslim family immigrates to a western country they do so (and are) largely unawares of, the way that particular society �teaches/trains/conditions� it�s people. This may result in parents correctly teaching their children (Islam), however if they are oblivious to the ways their children are been manipulated (by the society at large), they may be unaware of how to overcome that manipulation.

That's true but yet there are other reasons. Actually I live in Pakistan which got independence in 1947 from the British. Similarly lot of Arab countries remained under the foreign occupation tii the end of WW-2. The West continued what Muslims did earlier that was to seek advancement in science and technology. This occupation and advancement caused some of Muslims to suffer from inferiority complex. So once west started to criticize Islam or Islamic customs and beliefs these persons ashamed of their Islamic belifs while hungry for respect in the Westren circles, not only adopted apologetic stance but also started to criticize Islam in a unique fashion.

They even went to extent where being a Lesbian (for Irshad Manji), bearing an illegitamate child (by Isra Nomani), leading a mixed congergation (for Amina Wadood) or being a gay (For Asma Gul Hasan) was perfectly alright for a Muslim.

Secondly they say that they believe in the life in the hereafter but their actions speaks that they consider it as a cock and bull story. Because had it been the case they would have prefered the etarnal life over this worldly life.

Shams Zaman   Pakistan. 

nadir wrote:   If I may please offer a brief explanation of why I perceive this to be happening in the West. When a Muslim family immigrates to a western country they do so (and are) largely unawares of, the way that particular society �teaches/trains/conditions� it�s people. This may result in parents correctly teaching their children (Islam), however if they are oblivious to the ways their children are been manipulated (by the society at large), they may be unaware of how to overcome that manipulation.

Peace,

That just might be a reasonable explanation for part of the problem.  I have noticed that my dear immigrant friends are blissfully unaware of the mores and norms of western society.  I try hard to help them with this.

Peace, ummziba.

Peace all,

I had to leave in a hurry yesterday, still wanted to say a few things.  Shams Zaman, you are so right to point out that there are so many 'muslims' bashing Islam these days in the western media.  Why is this?

It seems the media would far rather print/air a story about a 'muslim' who has bad things to say about Islam than any story about the goodness of Islam or happy, satisfied Muslims.  I think this is because the general public does not want to hear good things about Islam.  As long as they keep hearing bad things they can justify hating Islam and Muslims.

It seems so sad to me that someone can be so lucky as to be born into a Muslim family and then grow up to reject it.  Why does this happen?  Do their parents/family not teach them properly about Islam? Does their Muslim community fail them in some way?  What can we Muslims do about this?

For one thing, I believe we need to speak up.  We can't just sit quietly on the sidelines and watch the world slowly start to hate us, even to the point that Muslims themselves are questioning their faith.  We need to support one another and teach one another what we know of our faith.

I know one thing, people like Manji make me very sad.  Their portrayal of Islam in the public media is aweful, it makes us all look bad.  By saying nothing are we condoning what people like her say?  Non-Muslims have no idea that the things people like her say are not correct, they take it as truth.

How do we "fix" this problem of Islam bashing?  How and where do we speak up?  Are we failing our Muslim children by not teaching Islam correctly to them or by not being good role models?  Are we failing our Muslim community by not speaking out and supporting one another?  Are we failing Allah Almighty by not strivinig hard enough to be good Muslims?

So many questions, such a complicated issue.

Peace, ummziba.