When Drima mentioned he met this woman on his blog, I was very curious to see what his reaction would be. Pretty much all I know about her is what I’ve read from your blogs and a NYT piece once, not the sort of subject that compels me. She seemed lumped together with Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Wafa Shuismha in a sort of bad- girl trio. Before I get jumped all over with the comments I’ve seen on other blogs, let me say: I CAN TELL WHY, you don’t need to explain it to me. We have those sort of people in (rather, out) of our faith as well. One thing I have learned: as much as I have to hold my nose, they usually have a kernel of something important to say.
I like to read the polar opposite opinions on a topic that sparks my interest, not just one side’s interpretations of the other. Especially when it isn’t the side I agree with. Drima seems to do something like that, too. In pursuing someone he didn’t much like, found out things are changing:
No mean comments, ya hear?
November 2, 2007 at 5:47 pm |
“No mean comments, ya hear?”
FINE!
*Sticks tongue out and starts making mean faces instead*
November 2, 2007 at 8:28 pm |
Drima! Now stop that!! Oh, no, it’s ok, I can’t see you anyway. I can imagine, from the baby-shot on your blog, what is looks like on adult face. Welcome!
November 2, 2007 at 9:23 pm |
I don’t kow why people group ayaan hirsi ali and arshad manji in the same category. To me they both stand for 2 different things and are trying to promote very different ideas about Islam.
Ayaan is of the opinion that Islam itself is an evil religion. The blame for extremism and bad treatment of women in certain societies lies within islam itself. Irshad Manji is more of the “people misinterpret religion” school of thought and as far as I know she considers Islam to be her religion.
November 2, 2007 at 9:23 pm |
oh, and thanks for the link Kinzi, I’ll read it when I get the chance. Right now my exponentially expanding butt will be hitting the gym.
November 3, 2007 at 8:18 am |
I met Irshad back in Canada when I was at university. We had an interesting discussion about our childhood experiences in religion classes and the problems we had with certain religion teachers of various backgrounds teaching hatred. I don’t always agree with everything she has to say, but she makes valid points and one thing for sure: she’s no dummie.
November 3, 2007 at 5:55 pm |
I think that people like Manji is what Islam disperatly needs these days. She is an exceptional woman who doesnt fear to speak up her mind. I admire her.
November 3, 2007 at 9:26 pm |
Asoom, thanks for the clarification, which proves how inane lumping people together is; those two are quite different! Someone in the US sent me Ali’s book, I’m reading it now after reading Lina’s review of it in JO (how’s your butt now? Worked enough of it off?:)
Beti, no way!! Now how did that not come up when we were having coffee this week?? We covered every other topic under the sun. It must be interesting to see where she has come since then.
Observer, she definitely has some thing to say. Now I need to go read her blog.
I also admire her courage. Wow.
November 3, 2007 at 11:12 pm |
Kinzi, LOL, my butt is still rather large, thanks for asking!
November 4, 2007 at 2:12 am |
lol how did this go from sudanese thinkers to discussing Asma’s butt ?
November 4, 2007 at 9:37 am |
Hani, oh the topics blog comments splinter off into: Asma said: “…now my exponentially expanding butt will be hitting the gym.” then I joked and said: “How’s your butt now? Worked enough of it off?”. Hardly a fitting ending to this thread!!
November 7, 2007 at 2:17 am |
““How’s your butt now? Worked enough of it off?”. Hardly a fitting ending to this thread!!”
Then let’s not end it here: You guys/gals are all Muslims, I take it ? And you’re discussing the “evil, sell-out, apostate, islamophobe-darling” Irshad Manji, *without* knee-jerking into a killing frenzy ? bravo!!
This infidel has hope for humanity, you don’t have to love her, but if you can cope with her, it’s a start.
Allow me a provocation: “Ayaan is of the opinion that Islam itself is an evil religion.” Could it be that – given the historical circumstances of the origin of Islam- that Islam is a religion that makes it easier for a person to be violent ? Compared to Christianity which was underground for centuries, Islam was victorious nearly from the start.
Bless y’all
November 7, 2007 at 8:11 am |
HH, oh my goodness, what a surprise to see you here!!
Actually, as I go over the list of commenters, I only see two Muslims. But about 100 read the post and another 20 actually went to visit Drima, and I didn’t get any flak. And, heh-heh, you might be surprised to know that I am one of those born again evangelical Christians rather than Muslim.
For the most part, the Jordanian blogosphere is a fairly open place. I hope your comment brings some people back to end the thread on topic! God bless you too!
November 8, 2007 at 12:10 am |
My pleasure, and my bad about assuming you’re all Muslims around here; I honestly can’t tell by a name.
Looking at the 2 ladies in question from an infidel Western POW: Ayaan Hirsi Ali has suffered greatly, and blames Islam. Dunno much about her criticism, but I admire her courage.
Irshad Manji, had a lot to say about Muslims, but chooses to call herself one. Gotta admire that, too.
November 15, 2007 at 5:16 am |
But at least you folks, despite butt-able diversions, are talking about it without censure. That’s why, as another God-loving (and same-sex marriage conflicted) Christian, I see hope when Irshad Manji puts out a book challenging the “sacred truths,” hadiths and foundamentalism of the Islam we see today. And I also hope more Muslims will tell us what they think, not because they agree; because they have an opinion.
November 15, 2007 at 7:53 am |
HH, no worries, I don’t take it as a bad! Yes, there is much to admire
DUO, welcome to my blog and thanks for the little joke (I was caffeine deprived the first read and didn’t get it) and deeper thought.