The Trouble with Islam Today
The Trouble with Islam Today, originally titled The Trouble with Islam, is a 2004 book critical of Islam written by Irshad Manji, styled as an open letter to concerned citizens worldwide, Muslim or not.
"The Trouble with Islam" redirects here. For the online video clip by Pat Condell, see Pat Condell § The trouble with Islam reaction.Author
English
2005
Canada
Book
257
297
BP169 .M285 2005
Translations:
Reception[edit]
The Trouble with Islam Today has been translated into more than 30 languages. Manji has made multiple translations of the book (namely Arabic, Urdu, Malay and Persian) available for free download on her website, with the intention of reaching readers in those countries where her book is banned.
Since its publication, the book has been met with both praise and criticism from Muslim and non-Muslim sources. Khaleel Mohammed, an imam and professor of Islam at San Diego State University, wrote in his foreword to Manji's book that "Irshad wants us to do what our Holy Book wants us to do: end the tribal posturing, open our eyes, and stand up to oppression, even if it's rationalized by our vaunted imams."[4]
Jane Mansbridge, Adams Professor of Political Leadership and Democratic Values at Harvard University, suggests that Manji's book "[carries] a fresh and convincing message to the coming generation",[5] while Andrew Sullivan, in a book review for The New York Times called Manji "courageous" and opined that the book's spirit is "long overdue".[6]
Khaled Almeena, editor of the Arab News in Saudi Arabia, called the book "fraudulent" and stated that it misrepresents itself as a guide to Islam.[7]
Quantara, a website promoting interfaith dialogue, mentions that "Irshad Manji breaks every taboo in the book while also challenging our prejudices about Islam. What's more, she does so as a Muslim, not as a Westernized woman preaching from the pulpit of a feminist ivory tower."[8]
Tarek Fatah, a fellow Canadian Muslim, who originally criticized The Trouble With Islam,[9] reversed his stance by saying that Manji was "right about the systematic racism in the Muslim world" and that "there were many redeeming points in her memoir".[10]
Downloads from the author's official website: