“One of the enduring lessons of history is that whenever an empire becomes insular to 'protect' itself, intellectual decline and cultural intolerance are sure to follow.” LessonsProtectIntellectualEndureEmpiresDeclineIntolerance Author:Irshad Manji
“I'm asking Muslims in the West a very basic question: Will we remain spiritually infantile, caving to cultural pressures to clam up and conform, or will we mature into full-fledged citizens, defending the very pluralism that allows us to be in this part of the world in the first place? My question for non-Muslims is equally basic: Will you succumb to the intimidation of being called "racists," or will you finally challenge us Muslims to take responsibility for our role in what ails Islam?” WorldFirstsChallengesResponsibilityRolesCitizensPressureAskingWestIslamRacistMatureConformTaking ResponsibilityIntimidationPluralismInfantileClams Author:Irshad Manji
“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?” IfsWorldSelfMomentsSilenceHonestCrisisIslamPityIceBeing HonestGod LoveIslamicReformationSelf PityConspiring Author:Irshad Manji
“Bin Laden-ism, I don't think, is dead yet. And I think there's a long way to go before we can legitimately say that, you know, it is no longer in our midst.” ThinkingKnowsWayLongMidstLong WayBin LadenIsmsLong Way To Go Author:Irshad Manji
“Guys like Bin Laden have been responsible for injuring and maiming and murdering more Muslims than any foreign imperial power has in the last hundred years.” YearsHas BeensLastsGuyHundredResponsibleBin Laden Author:Irshad Manji
“A lot of Arabs have proven to themselves that there is an alternative to Bin Laden-ism if they want to do away with the corrupt, autocratic regimes in their countries.” IfsWantCountryAlternativesRegimesProvenBin LadenIsms Author:Irshad Manji
“We often hear Islamists declare, 'We love death as much as you people in the west love life.' Well, if we're going to now celebrate and jubilate in the death of Bin Laden, I have to say, I think that comes eerily close to mimicking the likes of the Islamists. And that gives me the creeps.” PeopleIfsThinkingGivingWellsGive MeWestLikesCelebrateLove LifeCreepsBin LadenIslamistsLove DeathMimicking Author:Irshad Manji
“Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the recognition that some things are more important than fear - and what's more important to me is faith.” ImportantAbsenceRecognitionFear Courage Author:Irshad Manji
“If ever there was a moment for an Islamic reformation, it’s now. For the love of God, what are we doing about it?” IfsMomentsGod LoveIslamicReformation Book:The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith Source: The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith