Review of The Trouble With Islam Today
A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith
In this groundbreaking, often blunt book, The Trouble With Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith, Irshad Manji challenges fellow Muslims and “concerned citizens worldwide” to re-examine the Islamic faith and to cast a more critical eye on what she perceives as the unwavering and too literal acceptance of the Quaran in mainstream Islam.
Daring to Ask
Born in Idi Amin’s fractured Uganda in 1968, Manji’s family immigrated to Canada in the early 1970s. As Manji’s horizons expanded within the multi-cultural society of Richmond, British Columbia (a suburb of Vancouver), so did her questions about her faith – particularly her role as an Islamic woman. Dissatisfied with the lack of answers from her madressa (Islamic school) teacher and how this contrasted to the education she was receiving in her public school, Manji begun to question her faith, a task hampered within the madressa and the mosque by being a woman.
The Search for Answers
The book traces Manji’s search for answers, from quitting the madressa, to visits to Israel and Palestine, to her role as host of QueerTelevision (an Internet and TV series about gay and lesbian cultures). Manji poses tough questions not just to herself, but to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. She takes a critical look at the origins of Islam, the often contradictory teachings in the Quaran (particularly pertaining to women and Jews) and the lack of what she identifies as critical thinking in Muslim teaching.
Operation Itjihad
In her quest, Manji uncovers an ancient Islamic tradition called itjihad – a lost tradition of independent thinking that she sees as the answer to reforming Islam and empowering Muslims worldwide. As she explains on her website, "The Trouble With Islam Today outlines a global campaign to promote pluratistic and progressive approaches to Islam."
The principle success of this book is that although some sections border on academic analysis, Manji’s personal stories, sense of humour and earnest self-examination create a fresh style that is highly engaging. Manji does not shy away from the tough questions, including how she can reconcile herself to being an “out” lesbian as well as a member of a faith that seems to teach that homosexuality is evil. Her personal perspective adds an interesting angle to the debate and it is clear that she embodies the spirit of itjihad. The book, through her narrative, is accessible to all readers – male, female, Muslim, non-Muslim.
Western Perspectives
Manji does acknowledge that she has the ability to share these perspectives as someone who grew up in the West and she does not lump all Muslims together. She has, however, been criticised for being too forgiving of the West and Israel, but her challenge to all people for honesty and change is loud and clear. At times the book can seem to dart from subject to subject, but Manji’s strong conversational style helps keep the narrative together. Ultimately, Manji has succeeded in starting her own revolution of critical thinking and questioning, as well as educating, in this highly important book.
It is no surprise, given the controversial nature of The Trouble With Islam Today that it has been banned or censored in several countries, but Manji’s website, IrshadManji.com, offers free translations in order to reach as many people as possible.
First published by Random House, Canada, in 2003, The Trouble With Islam Today is available on Amazon.com or at most bookstores for $14.
The Trouble With Islam Today by Irshad Manji
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