Toronto writer is bracing for backlash on Islam book (Lesbian Feminist Muslim)

National Post ^ | September 15, 2003 | Allan Woods

[Loyalist]

A Canadian Muslim who tomorrow releases a book critical of her religion is drawing ''a very high level of awareness'' from police because of a feared backlash from fundamentalists.

Irshad Manji said she has taken every step possible to ensure her safety, including forwarding critical e-mails and letters to the authorities.

The Toronto journalist said she is not sure how The Trouble with Islam, which urges Muslims to purge Islam of fundamentalism, will be received. ''At this point it's all about being prepared rather than paranoid,'' she said in an interview this weekend.

Today's National Post carries an exclusive excerpt of the book one day ahead of its release.

Ms. Manji said her book denounces terrorism, the poor treatment of women and ''Jew-bashing'' while promoting tolerance and human rights. In it, she urges an Islamic reformation that begins in the West.

''I didn't write this book to be deliberately inflammatory,'' said Ms. Manji, a self-described activist, leftist, Muslim and feminist.

''It's about the things that were troubling to me as a kid and the things that are troubling young Muslims today.''

It is clear from the book's Web site, www.muslim-refusenik.com, that the book's messages have struck a nerve.

One e-mail calls the author a ''pro-Zionism parasite ... trying too hard to back-stab your fellow brothers and sisters.'' Another warns: ''You will sooner or later pay for your pack of lies.''

The threats come as no surprise to Ms. Manji. Last spring, while writing the book, she visited her member of Parliament, Toronto-Danforth MP Dennis Mills, to alert him to what she expected would be the book's controversial reception.

This summer, Ms. Manji's publisher, Random House Canada, sent a letter to Wayne Easter, the Solicitor-General, asking for International Protected Person status, a designation usually reserved for visiting heads of state.

That application was rejected, but Mr. Mills said police are aware and in close contact with Ms. Manji, who has hosted such shows as Citytv's QueerTelevision and TVOntario's Big Ideas.

''There is a very high level of awareness with [Toronto] Police and with the RCMP around this file,'' he said.

''Irshad is certainly on [their] radar screen.''

Both forces say they are aware of the author's case but for security reasons they cannot say whether they are providing protection.

''We're aware of the issue,'' said RCMP Staff-Sergeant Paul Marsh. ''Apart from that, I can't speak to the specific case. We don't discuss security issues apart from the Prime Minister.''

A spokesman for Toronto Police said any security measures would be kept secret.

''No one is expecting anything untoward,'' Ms. Manji said.

The impetus for the book, she said, comes from Salman Rushdie, himself the subject of a fatwa, or religious edict ordering his death, after writing The Satanic Verses, a novel that many Muslims viewed as disrespectful to their religion.

Several years ago, she said, she asked Mr. Rushdie if he felt Islamic reformation began in the West.

''It begins with women,'' she recalled him telling her. ''Women like you.''

awoods@nationalpost.com

© Copyright 2003 National Post

[concerned about politics]

''I didn't write this book to be deliberately inflammatory,'' said Ms. Manji, a self-described activist, leftist, Muslim and feminist.

?????????

[dinasour]

Hah, there is nothing I would like more than seeing Islam suffer an infusion of leftist feminist lesbians.

It couldn't happen to to a nicer bunch of guys.

[concerned about politics]

Both forces say they are aware of the author's case but for security reasons they cannot say whether they are providing protection.

Buh bye.
(No white rasins for her)

[concerned about politics]

One e-mail calls the author a ''pro-Zionism parasite ... trying too hard to back-stab your fellow brothers and sisters.'' Another warns: ''You will sooner or later pay for your pack of lies.''

Like I said - Buh bye.

[concerned about politics]

(Lesbian Feminist Muslim)

ROTFLMAO.

[misterrob]

Interesting slant.

It is actually refreshing to see Muslims with the guts to challenge the fundimentalists. Let's hope that more of the media picks this up. The nuts in the ME will probably try and whack her but that in itself should show the world how crazy these people really are.

And who cares if she's a dyke? Let's try not to shoot the messenger here. Lord knows, we need more people like her willing to stand up to the establishment.

[Hodar]

Hah, there is nothing I would like more than seeing Islam suffer an infusion of leftist feminist lesbians.

The first thing to go will be the 'fatwa', which will be replaced by the 'bloatwa'.

[FeliciaCat]

I can see how an Islamic woman would turn lesbian....

[concerned about politics]

And who cares if she's a dyke? Let's try not to shoot the messenger here. Lord knows, we need more people like her willing to stand up to the establishment.

Boy, it's a rough choice.
Commies from inside, or Islomofacist from the outside.
Ohhhh. I'm sooo confused!
Kill me now, please.

[redheadtoo]

Some one should have told this woman that she could have hidden her identity with a pen name.

[misterrob]

Hey, take the opportunities to support the enemies of your enemy. If it creates problems form him then all the better for you. Personally, I think it's great that there is a Muslim creating problems for the leadership. The book might gain some attention.

[concerned about politics]

The book might gain some attention.

BANG! (What was that?)

[concerned about politics]

Some one should have told this woman that she could have hidden her identity with a pen name.

Or a tent sized burka.

[doc30]

In Canada, the Muslims can have her charged with a hate crime and thrown in jail. No need to "bin Laden" her.

[Britton J Wingfield]

bump

[dinasour]

Can we start a write in campaign: Hillary for Ayatollah? Janet Reno, lord high heads-person.

[misterrob]

And Barbie for women's fashion Czar....

[rangerwife]

One of the classes I'm taking is entitled Modern Islamic Civilization: Islamic Feminism...LOL! Seriously, it is. I'm taking it because I'm working on a degree in national security and defense policy and I decided to take some classes on Islam/Middle East studies since it is (obviously) the biggest threat we're facing today. It is a class I can use for a minor. Well, I told my mom that some of the readings are way over my head. I mean I read and re-read this stuff and I'm not getting it. She told me that it is because I'm not a NAG type nor an elitist democrat trying to talk over everyone's head and pretend I'm smarter than everyone else! ha ha. Anyways, I'm trying to BS my way through it and come out with a decent grade. So far, I'm doing a pretty good job of it. LOL!

[harbingr]

Wow, I searched Google and found the 'mother load':...

'Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judeo-Christian Tradition - Myth and Reality'

On-line book by Sherif Abdel Azim, phD - Queens University, Kingston, Ont. Canada

excerpt:... 'All religions are patriarchal because they all stem from patriarchal societies'...hmmm, not for long...

Islam & Canadastan - they deserve each other...(I'll let somebody else do the book review)