Trouble with Islam Today

by Irshad Manji

Book Overview

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 this open letter, Irshad Manji unearths the troubling cornerstones of mainstream Islam...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312327005
• ISBN13: 9780312327002
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Thoughtful view from an insider

[...] A liberal woman raised in a strict Islamic family, Manji offers readers an interesting insiders view of Islamic life. Questions regarding the narrowness of her experience may be legitimate, but they still offer a telling look at the trouble modern Muslims face trying to integrate their faith into their modern life style.Many can question how Islam reached its current position, but despite its position as one of the world's fastest growing religion, Manji is correct that it faces a crisis. The largest funders of Islamic proselytizing and scholarship -- Persian gulf petrol dollars -- also represent the faiths most conservative elements. Not surprisingly, they often conflate ancient Arabian social custom with articles of Islamic faith causing substantial regression towards misogynist and anti-democratic principles. Here she offers ample evidence such as books donated by Saudi Arabian charities to Islamic primary schools, which contain blanket vitriolic attacks on America, the West, and Jews. This analysis dovetails well with the question she raises about what effect the large number of repressive authoritarian governments in Islamic countries has on the faith. Here argument that changes in Islam will have to come from Western Muslims is interesting, though she does not do enough to ask how they can gain sufficient legitimacy to bring about such change. Manji's most frightening observations and probably the most often attacked are her observations regarding the current Middle East crisis. In current charged times these are hot button issues, but her analysis adds a much needed element to the current debate. One need only look at the lionization in the Islamic world of suicide bombers who murder civilians to understand that this faith faces a grave threat of descending into nihilism. This death cult, hardly limited to the West Bank and Gaza posses grave risk for all Islam. Manji's thesis, that Islam must embrace some sort of reformation as other faiths have, should not be dismissed out of hand. Many may find her analysis disturbing and particular diagnosis flawed, but its hard to deny the existence of a problem.

Insghts

Manji brings marvelous tools to her writing table--critical thinking, insight, courage, and a way with words. In a paragraph she captures an essence that may take another a book to explain. She has messages for all of us, the most important perhaps is that wisdom follows maturity of insight and tolerance. A snippet from p. 58 points to modern America: "The tricky part of empire isn't amassing it, but making it hum." One clue that Manji has something to say lies in the range of reviewer ratings posted here; they are either great or terrible. Is Manji a controversial person? Certainly. Will she become a mover and shaker? She already is. Is she worth reading? Of course, regardless of your persuasion. Look for her insights into the mundane. Contrast the incisiveness you find with the negative platitudes you can read in other reviews here.

Best book of the year

This book deserves to win every literary prize for which it is eligible. This a brilliant, passionate, articulate, and critical examination of Islam. Easily the most introspective analysis of the faith by a Muslim ever, period.I do fear for Ms. Manjis life however. The Trouble With Islam makes the Satanic Verses look like a nursery rhyme, and look at the trouble that brought Salman Rushdie.All I can say is READ THIS BOOK.

Speaking Up

I read the book and I don't feel it promotes hatred. Rather it should get people to question and think for themselves. And only by doing this can one appreciate what Islam has to offer. On the contrary to the other reviewer, it does not matter if the author is a "practicing Muslim" or "Real Muslim" by certain individuals criteria.....what matters is that she and everyone else have a fundamental right to question. In her book, to my interpretation, she talks about this refusal to speak up as the real trouble with Islam. The book does not promote hatred but is begging for open dialogue which the reviewer wants no part of. I highly recommend this book, you may not agree with everything or anything. But it will get you to question and think and possibly even discuss. And that's what we need....open dialogue...no matter how secular, modern, religious, or even what religion a person may come from. Dear Irshad:I enjoyed your book. I wish you the best of luck getting answers to your questions. and never..never...stop asking questions (unless you want to of course)Thank-you

Honesty and political correctness

After reading "The Trouble with Islam..." I am struck by the reflexive criticisms the author has received for this work. Contrary to the charge that the author must be an "Islamaphobe", I found her thesis regarding what ails Islam to be well researched and supported by irrefutable evidence.It would appear most of her critics attempt to discredit her work via "guilt by association" with such scholars as Daniel Pipes and Bernard Lewis who have offered praise for the book. Of course, by failing to address the substantive arguments in the book and simply offering Ad Hominem attacks on the author's character, these critics do a disservice to anyone seeking to get balanced information prior to forming judgments regarding militant Islam's role in current geopolitical crisises.We live in an age of cultural relativity. Must one be of a certain culture to offer valid CONSTRUCTIVE criticism of that culture? The answer to this question will probably determine whether the reader will be receptive to ideas and concepts that may not comport with political correctness but may be the uncomfortable process that opens dialogue that will lead to a solution to current global conflicts.I recommend this work.