Death threats for Manji

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Irshad Manji, courageous muslim author, is still getting death threats for expressing her views that islam needs to be reformed. From her website:




Posted January 17, 2005

“On your site, I have seen that you plan to publish the book in Pakistan. May I ask where I can buy a copy?” - Sarah

Irshad replies: The Trouble with Islam is being released in Pakistan as you read this. I'm told it's available in the following stores: CLASSIC in Lahore, MR. BOOKS in Islamabad, SAEED BOOK BANK in Islamabad and Peshawar, and WELCOME BOOK PORT in Karachi.
Because of the book's controversial message, though, it's hard to know if these stores will continue carrying it. It's being reported to me that quiet pressures and outright protests are forcing some smaller vendors to return the book.

And I have a sneaking suspicion they will. Which is why I’m covering all bases by posting the Urdu edition on this website. Like the Arabic edition, it can be downloaded free-of-charge.
Sadly, even the death threats have already begun. Check out the next email, sent to my Urdu translator:

“Its disturbing for us to know that you have translated irshad manji book into urdu. when we heard this news before at manji website, we were looking for translator and publisher in pakistan. Now we got this news on your website newislam.org that its you basterd who translated this book.... stop it basterd. we are not Taliban people but you and irshad are on our killing list. REMEMBER we are watching... we will keep watching and some day we will get you. LAST THING ask pakistani publisher to take back book from the market. we are contacting ulma [clergy] and government to stop qabli qatal masanfa [woman writer who is subject to death].” - Progressive Shia Muslim

Irshad replies (not to the would-be killer, but to the readers): The police have found that this threat originated in Toronto. Which speaks to the next point...

“Please be very careful about your personal security, Irshad. A few years ago, when I was a Commissioner with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, I interviewed a member of the Jamaat e Islami from Pakistan, who told me he was in agreement with the doctrine of his party that all atheists (meaning all apostates and lay people) should be tried and executed. I have no doubts that people like him are in Canada. (There is evidence about the presence in Canada of members of the former al-Badr militias of the Jamaat, which murdered hundreds of intellectuals in Dacca in 1971.)


”Irshad, I read your article ‘Challenging Islam is Risky,’ and it made me confused. Why did you make it look like Theo van Gogh was killed JUST because he criticized Islam? Why did you ignore the fact this ‘criticism’ was extremely offensive, even to some non-Muslims, who found his ‘dirty’ movie to be a complete disregard of Muslim feelings. Or was the killing of van Gogh a good chance to use it for your own cause, no matter how much facts you slay?” -
anonymous

Irshad replies: Van Gogh’s verbal assaults left many Muslims feeling humiliated. Agreed. But van Gogh said equally nasty things about Jews and Christians — and they refrained from slitting his throat for it. Would you argue that they should have killed him? In that case, do Muslim women who are routinely humiliated by Muslim men have the right to murder those men? If not, why the double-standard?
You’re right about something else, though: The murder of van Gogh presented the opportunity to promote “my” cause -- freedom of conscience. I make no apologies for seizing that opportunity. You see, I have enough faith to believe that Islam is capable of respecting freedom of conscience. I’m sorry you don’t. Perhaps you should consult your local imam about why you lack faith in Islam’s humanitarian potential. I’ll pray for you, brother.