Editing Irshad Manji (section)

== Works ==
=== ''The Trouble with Islam Today'' ===
{{Main|The Trouble with Islam Today}}

Manji's book ''The Trouble with Islam Today'' (originally titled ''The Trouble with Islam'') was published by [[St. Martin's Press]] in 2004. The book was first released in Canada under the previous title in September 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IWUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27|title=Books: Unveiling Islam|last=Hays|first=Matthew|date=2 March 2004|work=The Advocate|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> It has since been translated into more than 30 languages.<ref name="Todd" /> Manji offered [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Persian language|Persian]], and [[Urdu]] translations of the book available for free-of-charge download on her website.<ref name="Jerusalem Post" /> In ''The Trouble with Islam Today'', Manji investigates new interpretations of the Qur'an which she believes are more fitting for the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/analysis/role-of-women-central-to-necessary-reforms-within-islam-441608.html|title=Role of women central to necessary reforms within Islam|last=O'Mahony|first=T.P.|date=1 February 2017|website=Irish Examiner|language=en|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> The book has been met with both praise and scorn from both Muslim and non-Muslim sources. Several reviewers have called the book "courageous"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Calling-all-believers-to-a-conversation-on-Islam/articleshow/1326998.cms|title=Calling all believers to a conversation on Islam|last=Rehman|first=Mujibr|date=11 December 2005|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> or "long overdue"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/25/books/decent-exposure.html|title=Decent Exposure: ''The Trouble with Islam''|last=Sullivan|first=Andrew|author-link=Andrew Sullivan|date=25 January 2004|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> while others have said it disproportionately targets Muslims.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2006/2/7/freedom_of_speech_or_incitement_to|title=Freedom of Speech or Incitement to Violence? A Debate Over the Publication of Cartoons of Prophet Muhammed and the Global Muslim Protests|last=Goodman|first=Amy|author-link=Amy Goodman|date=7 February 2006|website=Democracy Now!|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008071329/https://www.democracynow.org/2006/2/7/freedom_of_speech_or_incitement_to|archive-date=8 October 2019|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref>

[[Tarek Fatah]], a fellow Canadian Muslim who originally criticized ''The Trouble With Islam'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2003/11/thanks_but_no_t.php|title=Thanks, but No Thanks: Irshad Manji's Book Is for Muslim Haters, Not Muslims|first=Tarek|last=Fatah|author-link=Tarek Fatah|date=27 November 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207112221/http://canpalnet-ottawa.org/fatah.html|archive-date=7 February 2005}}</ref> reversed his stance, saying that Manji was "right about the systematic racism in the Muslim world" and that "there were many redeeming points in her memoir".<ref>{{cite news|first=Tahir Aslam|last=Gora|author-link=Tahir Aslam Gora|url=http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/392889|date=26 June 2008|title=Canada's a centre for Islamic reform|work=[[The Hamilton Spectator]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107225747/http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/392889|archive-date=7 January 2009}}</ref>

''The Trouble with Islam Today'' is banned in many countries in the Middle East.<ref name="Bedell" /> Since July 2009, the book has also been outlawed in Malaysia.<ref name=":3" />

=== ''Faith without Fear'' ===
In 2007 Manji released a [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] documentary, ''Faith without Fear''. It follows her journey to reconcile faith and freedom, depicting the personal risks she has faced as a Muslim reformer. She explores [[Islamism]] in Yemen, Europe and North America, as well as histories of Islamic [[critical thinking]] in Spain and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/about/show_faith_without_fear.html|title=Irshad Manji calls on her fellow Muslims to reform|publisher=[[PBS]]|quote=Trekking through the Arabian peninsula, Manji speaks with Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard, who explains why he's willing to turn his young son into a martyr. She also engages a California convert to Islam who now lives in Yemen and says that by covering her body and face, she's exercising American-style freedom of religion. But is it really freedom if you'll be punished for not covering? Manji meets one Yemeni woman who faces a steep price for rejecting the rules. Through them, Manji discovers what she thinks has corrupted a religion of justice to become an ideology of fear.}}</ref> ''Faith Without Fear'' was nominated for an [[Emmy]]<ref name="Emmy" /> and was a finalist for the [[National Film Board]] of Canada's [[Gemini Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfb.ca/about/news.php?id=1584|title=2007 Gemini Awards|date=10 October 2007|publisher=[[National Film Board of Canada]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221070903/http://www.nfb.ca/about/news.php?id=1584|archive-date=21 December 2007}}</ref>{{Sfn|Lichter|2009|p=96}} It launched the 2008 [[Muslim Film Festival]], organized by the [[American Islamic Congress]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.muslimfilm.org/schedule.html |title=2008Muslim Film Festival - Think-Different Women |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080416235659/http://www.muslimfilm.org/schedule.html |archive-date=16 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and won Gold at the [[New York Television Festival]].{{Sfn|Lichter|2009|p=96}}

=== ''Allah, Liberty and Love'' ===
{{Quote box |width=360px |align=right |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=right
 |quote  =
It is time for those who love liberal democracy to join hands with Islam's reformists. Here is a clue to who's who: Moderate Muslims denounce violence committed in the name of Islam but insist that religion has nothing to do with it; reformist Muslims, by contrast, not only deplore Islamist violence but admit that our religion is used to incite it.
 |source = — Manji in ''The Wall Street Journal'', May 7, 2011<ref>{{cite news|last=Manji|first=Irshad|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703992704576305412360432744|title=Islam Needs Reformists, Not 'Moderates'|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=2017-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Siegel|first=Bill|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w3D-Od9r198C&pg=PA274|title=The Control Factor: Our Struggle to See the True Threat|publisher=University Press of America|date=2012|isbn=978-0-7618-5817-1}}</ref>
}}
In 2011, Manji published ''Allah, Liberty and Love''. In the book, she examines how Muslims can reinterpret the Qur'an, speak more freely, and think more independently. To support her approach, Manji cites ''[[ijtihad]]'', the Islamic tradition of critical thinking in the interpretation of [[List of Islamic texts|Islamic texts]] and doctrines.<ref name="Doughty" /><ref name="Kaylan" /> Manji asserts that any change of lasting value to Muslims can only come from within and cannot be imposed from external sources.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-02/new-age-insight/30580878_1_muslim-irshad-manji-change|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017163043/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-02/new-age-insight/30580878_1_muslim-irshad-manji-change|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 October 2013|title=Changing Times|last=Siddharth|first=Gautam|date=2 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref>

Manji agrees to  and promotes the validity of [[interfaith marriage]]s of Muslims to non-Muslims, specially of Muslim women to non-Muslim men, based on ideas of Khaleel Mohammed of  [[San Diego State University|San Diego State University (SDSU)]], in San Diego, California.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Imam Khaleel Mohammed's defense of inter-faith marriage.|url=https://freethinkingstokie.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/eng_bothpages.pdf}}</ref>

As with Manji's other writings, ''Allah, Liberty and Love'' generated both positive and negative responses. Rayyan Al Shawaf, a Beirut-based writer and book critic, laments Manji's focus on how the Qur'an can be reinterpreted by liberal Muslims and not on how legal limits can be set to curb the Qur'an's influence. He also argues that Manji promotes ijtihad while overlooking that "''ijtihad'' is a sword that cuts both ways."<ref name="Al-Shawaf">{{cite news|last=Al-Shawaf|first=Rayyan|title=Author's 'Allah' implores Muslims to Think Freely|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2011/06/25/manjis_allah_implores_muslims_to_think_freely/|access-date=25 January 2013|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=25 June 2011}}</ref> Al-Shawaf also laments Manji's focus "on how liberal Muslims could reinterpret the Koran as opposed to how they might set legal limits on its socio-politico-economic influence."<ref name="Al-Shawaf" /> Melik Kaylan in his review for ''[[Newsweek]]'' describes the book as "a rallying cry to Muslims" and full of "snappy phrases that hover between epigrams and slogans—effective soundbites for her supporters."<ref name="Kaylan">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/irshad-manji-challenges-muslims-follow-their-conscience-67465|title=Irshad Manji Challenges Muslims to Follow Their Conscience|last=Kaylan|first=Melik|date=25 September 2011|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref>

Omar Sultan Haque, a researcher and teacher at Harvard University Medical School, argues that although Manji's book is important in raising consciousness, it "fails to grapple with some of the more substantial questions that would make [a liberal and open] future [of Islamic Interpretation] a reality."<ref name="Haque">{{cite news|url=http://www.tnr.com/book/review/allah-liberty-love-irshad-manji|title=What Is Islamic Enlightenment?|last=Haque|first=Omar Sultan|date=15 March 2012|newspaper=The New Republic}}</ref> Haque often describes Manji's ideas in a "patronizing manner". Howard A. Doughty, a professor of political economy at [[Seneca College]], illustrates this with a quote from Haque's review: "Manji's God resembles an extremely affectionate and powerful high school guidance counselor."<ref name="Haque" /><ref name="Doughty" />

Doughty, in summarizing his observations of Manji's critics says that some scholars (excluding himself) argue that "Manji may lack the ''gravitas'' to drive home her points and turn her ideas into action."<ref name="Doughty">{{cite web|last=Doughty|first=Howard A.|url=https://www.innovation.cc/book-reviews/rev_doughty_assay_manji18vi1a13.pdf|title=Review Essay: What's the Trouble with Human Rights?|access-date=16 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705121430/http://www.innovation.cc/book-reviews/rev_doughty_assay_manji18vi1a13.pdf|archive-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> He instead offers a defense of her approach and argues that "what her critics seem to miss is that her ease of communication, stripped of abstract philosophical, political and economic analysis, is precisely what allows her to turn her thoughts into other people's actions."<ref name="Doughty" />

The international launch of ''Allah, Liberty and Love'' was met with controversy. In December 2011, Muslim extremists stormed Manji's book launch in [[Amsterdam]];<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/irshad-manji-book-tour-in-indonesia-runs-into-trouble-with-islamic-thugs|title=Irshad Manji book tour in Indonesia runs into trouble with Islamic 'thugs'|last=Hopper|first=Tristin|date=10 May 2012|website=National Post|language=en-CA|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> twenty-two Muslim men rushed into the venue and attempted to assault her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://israelbehindthenews.com/we-made-the-jerusalem-post-with-this-irshad-manji-speaking-the-truth/8343/|title=Speaking the truth: A moderate Muslim, Irshad Manji says Islam needs more introspection and self-criticism|last=Spivak|first=Rhonda|date=25 April 2012|website=The Jerusalem Post|via=Israel Behind the News|access-date=22 July 2017}}</ref> During Manji's book tour, police cut short her talk in Jakarta due to pressure from one of Indonesia's fundamentalist groups, the [[Islamic Defenders Front]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/archive/indonesian-hardline-group-urges-govt-to-deport-liberal-canadian-muslim-activist/|title=Indonesian Hardline Group Urges Govt to Deport Liberal Canadian Muslim Activist|last=Mandiri|first=Ardi|date=5 May 2012|newspaper=[[Jakarta Globe]]|access-date=8 October 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308024014/http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/archive/indonesian-hardline-group-urges-govt-to-deport-liberal-canadian-muslim-activist/|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref> A few days later, hundreds of men from the [[Indonesian Mujahedeen Council]] assaulted Manji's team and her supporters in [[Yogyakarta]]. Several people were injured and at least one had to be treated in a hospital.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/10/irshad-manji-injured-mob-attack-yogya.html|title=Irshad Manji injured in mob attack in Yogya|date=10 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Jakarta Post]]|access-date=9 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310112512/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/05/10/irshad-manji-injured-mob-attack-yogya.html|archive-date=10 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Shortly afterwards, the government of Malaysia banned ''Allah, Liberty and Love''.<ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2012/05/24/home-ministry-bans-irshad-manjis-book|title=Home Ministry bans Irshad Manji's book|date=24 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]|access-date=25 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008063245/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2012/05/24/home-ministry-bans-irshad-manjis-book|archive-date=8 October 2019|agency=[[Bernama]]|location=Malaysia}}</ref> But in September 2013, a High Court in [[Kuala Lumpur]] struck down the ban.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jong|first=Rita|title=Ban on Irshad Manji's book lifted|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ban-on-irshad-manjis-book-lifted|access-date=1 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Malaysian Insider]]|date=5 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213928/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ban-on-irshad-manjis-book-lifted|archive-date=4 October 2013}}</ref> The previous year, Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz, a Malay woman who was one of the managers of a [[Borders (retailer)|Borders]], was arrested for selling a translation of Manji's book before the state had announced its ban.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/08/2012867105109271.html|title='Un-Islamic' book trial opens in Malaysia|last=Mayberry|first=Kate|date=6 August 2012|website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=22 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://antarapos.com/en/index.php?q9nan56SpKPkoObnaNGXpVvZn7WkcZFjZQ|title=Irshad Manji's Book: Borders Book Store Manager To Be Tried|website=Antarapos.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029023305/http://antarapos.com/en/index.php?q9nan56SpKPkoObnaNGXpVvZn7WkcZFjZQ|archive-date=29 October 2017|access-date=22 July 2017}}</ref> After her three-year legal battle with the authorities, Malaysia's Federal Court ruled in her favor and dismissed the government's bid to appeal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/nik-rainas-nightmare-finally-over-as-federal-court-dismisses-jawis-prosecut|title=Nik Raina's nightmare finally over as Federal Court dismisses JAWI's prosecution bid in Borders case|last=Palansamy|first=Yiswaree|date=23 June 2015|work=[[Malay Mail]]|access-date=22 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/judges-slam-islamic-authority-for-premature-raid-on-borders|title=Judges slam Islamic authority for premature raid on Borders|last=Lim|first=Ida|date=22 August 2014|work=Malay Mail|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref>

=== ''Don't Label Me'' ===
In a pre-release event for her latest book, ''Don't Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times'', Manji was the keynote speaker at the annual Day of Discovery, Dialogue & Action event of the [[Washington University in St. Louis]] on 19 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Leslie Gibson|date=15 February 2019|title=Honest diversity, moral courage and shedding labels: A Q&A with Irshad Manji|url=https://source.wustl.edu/2019/02/honest-diversity-moral-courage-and-shedding-labels-a-qa-with-irshad-manji/|access-date=1 September 2020|website=The Source|publisher=Washington University in St. Louis|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Don't Label Me'' was published by [[St. Martin's Press]] on 26 February.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Schilling|first=Mary Kaye|date=21 February 2019|title=In ''Don't Label Me'', Irshad Manji Has a Radical Prescription for Fellow Progressives: 'Stop Shaming and Start Listening'|work=Newsweek|url=https://www.newsweek.com/2019/03/08/irshad-manji-interview-dont-label-me-diversity-black-lives-matters-1335894.html|access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref> The book is written in the form of an imaginary conversation with Lily, Manji's first dog, who is now deceased and plays the role of [[Devil's advocate]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Gee|first=Dana|date=2 April 2019|title=Listening is the best way to get your point across, says Irshad Manji|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/listening-is-the-best-way-to-get-your-point-across-says-irshad-manji|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Vancouver Sun|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Kronen|first=Samuel|date=1 May 2019|title=Irshad Manji's "Don't Label Me": Book Review|url=https://areomagazine.com/2019/05/01/irshad-manjis-dont-label-me-book-review/|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Areo|language=en-US}}</ref> According to Dana Gee of the ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'', "It may seem like a gimmicky construct, but it actually works". Manji uses the conversation to advocate rising above [[tribalism]] and engaging in a discourse with those with whom the reader disagrees.<ref name=":1" /> In a video published by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine in March 2019, Manji says "I'm here to propose that, while more and more schools are teaching young people how not to be offensive, they also need to be teaching a new generation how not to be offended".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hahn|first=Jason Duaine|date=4 April 2019|title=Schools 'Need' to Teach Kids 'How Not to Be Offended' in 2019, Educator Pleads|url=https://people.com/human-interest/schools-kids-how-not-to-be-offended-irshad-manji/|access-date=1 September 2020|website=People|language=EN}}</ref> Comedian [[Chris Rock]], a fan of Manji,<ref name=":0" /> also promoted the book on Twitter calling it "genius".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kofinas|first=Demetri|date=15 July 2020|title=Don't Label Me: How to Do Diversity Without Inflaming the Culture Wars {{!}} Irshad Manji|url=https://hiddenforces.io/podcasts/irshad-manji-diversity-culture-wars/|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Hidden Forces|at=[https://hiddenforces.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ep.146_Irshad-Manji_Regular-Episode_7-20-20.pdf 00:00:48]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=@chrisrock|date=26 February 2019|title=The new book by @IrshadManji, Don't Label Me, is sheer genius. Today, schools and consultants teach ppl how not to be offensive. But Irshad shows us how not to be offended. That's good for comedy and for life. So read the book & learn to laugh, dammit.|url=https://twitter.com/chrisrock/status/1100499552933724165|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> In a review of ''Don't Label Me'' for ''Areo Magazine'', Samuel Kronen wrote that "Manji provides a wonderful combination of self-deprecation, wit and ferocious honesty and provides insights into some of the greatest social problems we face today."<ref name=":4" />