And Now, Irshad Manji: I’ve noticed the sparks of a not-yet-formed women’s movement with the Islamic faith. Many thinking Muslim women realize that the whole trajectory of Islam will have to be changed in order for them – and for their brothers in faith – to lead better lives and to realize their truest spiritual aspirations. Back on March 18, 2005, I noted a woman who leads prayer services amidst an Islamic community in New York City. And on Nov. 16, 2003, I mentioned Shabana Rehman, the Pakastani / Norwegian performer who uses comedy as a means to confront regressive Islamic attitudes – as well as hypocritical western attitudes. Now we have Irshad Manji, the Islamic writer and TV show producer from western Canada. In case you haven’t heard of Ms. Manji yet, her web site is: www.muslim-refusenik.com.

Irshad Manji is saying a lot of good and interesting things, and is definitely taking a lot of risks in saying them. She is also enjoying her celebrity amidst the western press, and I wonder if it isn’t going to her head a little, as happens for just about everyone who “catches fire” with the media. For example, the pajama incident on HBO. Still, I wish her “Ijtihad” movement well . . . . ijtihad being “Islam’s lost tradition of critical thinking”.

Ms. Manji posts a lot of her mail on the web site, and as you would expect, much of it is critical of her pro-modernist, pro-feminist interpretations of the Quaran and her blunt comments about politics and attitudes within the Islamic world. She comments on most letters with a biting wit, turning it loose against her foes and against liberal western supporters as well. But sometimes she just posts a message and lets it be. Here’s a quote from one of those letters, one that I find worth pondering:

“God is something that we are not ready for yet. There’s too much power in it and we don’t know how to absorb it. So let’s forget about God as we know him, and let’s live to help others. Let’s live a life in which our biggest worry is how to make this world a better place for everyone, black and white, Indians, Orientals, Occidentals, everybody and everywhere.” – Bruno

Good one, Bruno. And thanks for posting it, Ms. M.

IRONIC FOOTNOTE #1: The Buddhist definition of the word “manji” is a swastika; to the Buddhists, a swastika represents Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. To other people . . . .

IRONIC FOOTNOTE #2: It shouldn’t make any difference, and if I had more integrity I wouldn’t mention it, but Ms. Manji plays up the fact that she’s a lesbian. I guess it adds to her “in your face, you old mullah” personality, which the media seems to love so much. So, I consider her sexuality to be fair game for a little counter-jab at Ms. M. As it turns out, Barry Manilow is also gay (according to a recent biography, although he doesn’t talk about it). To connect the dots, you could take one of Mr. Manilow’s hit tunes and twist one word, and it would go: “Oh Manji, you came and you gave without taking, but I sent you away . . . . “

BUT THE MOST IRONIC THING: Barry Manilow was brought up as a Jew, although he avows having an affinity for Christmas music. Ah, Barry, why not do a joint concert with the former Cat Stevens, have Ms. Manji MC the show, and let it all blur together. As the Buddhists would have it.