Meeting with Irshad Manji: From hatred to hope

Irshad Manji has every reason to be angry and bitter. She is a lesbian. A Muslim. A professor. She is a well-known critic of radical Islamism and orthodox interpretations of the Koran, and believes that we Muslims have a duty to reform Islam from within. I agree!

The New York Times has described her as "Osama bin Laden's worst nightmare." She has received tons of threats, criticism, hate mail, and, sadly, has also been the victim of assault.

But when I meet her, I am surprised by how gentle , and in harmony with herself she is. There is no trace of anger or bitterness in her voice or soul.

I start by asking her how polarized she thinks they are in the US.

“Many say that the US is polarized on issues. But I don't buy that. There are plenty of issues that unite Americans. So what is it that divides us? It is “the other” that we don't trust. We assume that they have very specific views and therefore don't even bother to try to engage with them. We think 'the other' is wasting our time. And when that's the starting point, why should we be open and curious about the other's opinion?"

She works to give people tools for dialogue. It's not about convincing or persuading. People have to want it themselves. It's far better to focus your energy on them than to try to get everyone on board.

I can feel that she is touching a sore spot when she says that. I tell her about the hate mail I receive. The way I am attacked from both sides. From Muslims. From nationalists. It's everything from the Ramadan dinners I host to my participation in Dancing with the Stars that people criticize me for, I say.

Yes, let them say that, she says with a smile. Some people want to create as negative a narrative about you as possible so that it feeds their own hatred. Don't defend yourself. Just keep doing what you're doing. Just like I do. Those who criticize you will continue to criticize you. But if you detach yourself from the critics and continue to spend your time doing what you were put on this earth to do...

I finish her sentence in my mind: then many more will join our dialogue movement.