Qantara.de - Dialogue with the Islamic World

Reformist Islam

What possibilities does Islam offer for the reform and democratisation of modern Muslim societies? Qantara.de presents the opinions and initiatives of renowned thinkers from the Islamic world

A Revolution in Suspense

According to the Islamic intellectual Tariq Ramadan, the revolutions in the Arab world are either unfinished or have not yet reached their goals. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to him and asked him about the prospects for the popular uprisings and the nature of the protest movements More »

Against the Politicisation of the Koran

Muslim feminists such as Amina Wadud use the Koran to argue in favour of women's rights and against the patriarchal system. But unfortunately, as Nimet Seker writes, some feminists are falling into the apologist trap and running the risk of politically exploiting Islam More »

Why Islam and Democracy Go Well Together

The Shiite scholar Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari is regarded as one of the Iran's most influential Muslim reformist thinkers. In an interview with Jan Kuhlmann, he explains why there is no inconsistency between Islam and democracy. More »

''I Consider it Wrong to Say that Muslims are Incapable of Reform''

How would you describe your role? Do you see yourself as a critic of Islam or rather as an Islamic reformer?

Irshad Manji: If I criticize anything, it is the behaviour and not the ideals for which Islam stands. The behaviour of Muslims does not do justice to the generous, compassionate and benevolent spirit of the Koran. My message is that Allah and love are indeed compatible and that we as Muslims must express this in our actions. It is up to us to prove that we are capable of allowing spiritual diversity within our ranks.

In your new book, you write that moderate Muslims are part of the problem and not the solution. Why is this?

Manji: Because as Martin Luther King made clear during the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, moderation in times of moral crises can only consolidate the status quo. Ultimately, moderation simply does not question the existing imbalance of power.

King said to moderate Christians: you call yourselves moderate, but are so timid when it comes to opening your mouths against racial segregation taking place in the name of your and my God. The word "moderate" should not be taken as an excuse for saying nothing. In the same spirit, I say to my fellow Muslims: when you claim "Islam is peace, simply believe us," then your moderation is useless.

You openly acknowledge your homosexuality, champion interreligious marriages and criticize Muslims for problems such as their attitude towards Jews. These positions clearly affront many people. Could all this provocation be counterproductive?

Manji: Almighty God has created us all with unique qualities. By expressing this creativity, we pay respect to the creative power of God. If that is being provocative, then I am provocative! Yet I truly believe that there is something deeply religious in this. By encouraging young people to accept themselves with all their individual traits, we intensify our relationship with our Creator.

Nonetheless, these positions have earned you a fair degree of hate and many threats – even death threats. Could this have a deterrent effect on some people, who would otherwise share your ideas?

Manji: The young Muslims whom I have met around the globe are not telling me that it is fear of violence that is keeping them silent. Rather they fear the social exclusion, scorn and mockery that they would face if they posed uncomfortable but necessary questions. Nothing is more painful than being rejected by your own people. This is why I show how one develops what Robert F. Kennedy termed civil courage – the willingness to say the truth to those powerful in one's own group for the sake of a higher good.

You have been compared to Ayan Hirsi Ali, among others. What do you think of her ideas?

Manji: I told her straight out that I think she is mistaken. I consider it wrong to say that violence is intrinsic to Islam and that Muslims are incapable of reform.

She has turned her back on Islam, while I, for better or worse, cling to my faith. I believe in my fellow Muslims and know we are capable of being better than our mullahs and imams – and even the media – think we can be. I don't see that Ayan believes in this capacity.

One of the ideas that you promote is a general spirit of "ijtihad," in other words making decisions in questions of Islamic faith in a way that breaks more with tradition than is currently the case. Isn't this risky? After all, if you open "ijtihad" to all and not just for traditional authorities, aren't you doing the same thing as the fundamentalists? Then anyone can come along and claim that Islam demands this or that.

Manji: Of course fundamentalists can twist anything to suit their beliefs. But regardless of whether we open the gate to "ijtihad" or not, they are going to do so all the same because they are arrogant enough to believe that they alone possess the holy truth. Why shouldn't we provide a new generation of Muslims with the necessary tools to pose the relevant questions to the fundamentalists. Then they can say, "We aren't afraid of you! You can't force your interpretation on us."

You are quite radical in your questioning of traditional tenets of faith. Would you go so far as to say that on certain issues one should simply break with the Koran?

Manji: I don't see the necessity of breaking with the Koran. The ingenious thing about the Koran is that it contains mechanisms to remind us to question our human interpretations. In Surah 3, Verse 7 it is written that some verses of this text – the Koran – are clear and indisputable, whereas others are ambiguous. Only those with a lack of faith in their heart will emphasize the ambiguous verses above all in order to dictate the right interpretations themselves.

Furthermore, it states that only God, the Lord, knows the complete and final meaning of all the verses. The message, therefore, is to be humble! Don't intimidate others and force them to accept your viewpoints. I believe that this is the right recipe for a pluralism that allows us to practice a diverse and peaceful faith.

Interview conducted by Christoph Dreyer

© Qantara.de 2011

The Canadian journalist Irshad Manji was born in Uganda in 1968 to Indian and Egyptian parents. She achieved international recognition in 2004 with her book The Trouble with Islam Today, in which she argues for a pluralistic, progressive Islam. Her new book, Allah, Liberty and Love was published in 2011.

Translated from the German by John Bergeron

Editor: Aingeal Flanagan/Qantara.de More »

Triggering Global Debates

In Germany, Islamic theology is being introduced as a university course – a much debated issue in academic terms, but also politically. In this interview, Mathias Rohe, Germany's most renowned academic expert on Sharia law, talks about what this means for the development of Islam in Germany and, potentially, on a global level More »

The Battle for Interpretational Supremacy

Whether it is about a ban on burkas or minarets, on integration and mainstream culture, or the triumphal procession of raving critics of Islam the likes of Geert Wilders – Europe is obsessed with the discussion on Islam and, in the process, it is occasionally forgotten that the Muslim world is confronted with similar issues. By Christian H. Meier More »

Who Will Protect the Koran from Itself?

July 5th was the first anniversary of the death of the progressive Koranic scholar Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd. A summit meeting in his memory took place recently in Germany, where a select group of reformist thinkers discussed the innovation of Islam and the problems associated with it. By Angela Schader More »

An Argumentative Arab Enlightener

The Syrian philosopher Sadiq Al-Azm is one of the highest-profile and most strident critics of the Arab world. To this day, his ideas are between all fronts, making him enemies of both Islamist and secular dogmatists. Sadiq Al-Azm is soon to celebrate his 75th birthday. A portrait by Kersten Knipp More »

''I am a Witness to the Changes in Islam''

Leading Islamic reformist and literary scholar, Nasr Hamid Abu Zaid, believes that individual freedom is an essential prerequisite to faith. Everyone, therefore, also has the right to convert to another faith. He talked to Erhard Brunn about some of his ideas More »

Critique of Arab Reason

Mohammed Abed al-Jabri is without a doubt one of the most important contemporary Arab intellectuals. His work focuses on the failure of the Enlightenment in the Islamic world and the search for an Arab identity in modernity. Sonja Hegasy introduces the Moroccan philosopher More »

In the Footsteps of Averroes

Muhammad Shahrur's work is a comprehensive attempt to reconcile the religion of Islam with modern philosophy as well as the rational worldview of the natural sciences. According to Shahrur, jurisprudence in the name of God is a farce benefiting only those wanting to maintain political power. By Loay Mudhoon More »

''We Urgently Need Religious Reforms!''

The moderate Islamic thinker Muhammad Shahrur's contemporary interpretation of the Koran has attracted a lot of attention. In an interview with Ahmad Hissou, he calls for a religious reform of Islam, which he considers even more important than political reforms More »

''Religious Dogmas Terrorize the Spirit''

The Tunisian intellectual Mohamed Talbi is regarded as one of the most critical leading thinkers in the Arab world. In his most recently published book, he denounces traditional Islamic religious scholars and argues for a contemporary reading of the Koran. Rachid Boutayeb introduces Mohamed Talbi More »

Islam as a Violence-Free Religion

Philosopher Jawdat Said, little known in the West, has been propagating a vision of Islam free of violence for the past 40 years. His books have been widely read and discussed by Islamic activists in the Arab world. A profile by Bashar Humeid More »

''God Does Not Have an Equal Partner''

Khaled Abou el Fadl is both a prominent Islamic jurist and an American lawyer. In his many books he has accused radical Islamists of ignorance concerning the Koran and Sharia law. A portrait by Monika Jung-Mounib More »

''Islam Is a Religion, Not a Political Agenda''

Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari is one of the world's most important contemporary Shia clerics. In the first part of this lengthy interview with Fatma Sagir, the Iranian philosopher and theologian speaks about the complex relationship between state and religion, and about the effects of coercion and regulation in matters relating to faith More »

''Muslims Can Have Democracy without Having to Leave Islam''

Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari is one of the world's most significant contemporary Shia clerics. In the second part of this interview with Fatma Sagir, Shabestari speaks about the compatibility of Islam and Democracy, and about how the Iranian revolution affected his philosophy More »

Adapting to Contemporary Islam

Is Islamic law compatible with democracy and human rights? One of Iran's best-known reformist clerics has an answer to this question – an answer that challenges Islamic orthodoxy. Bahman Nirumand reports on a reformist theologian. More »

For an Open Interpretation of the Koran

The reformist thinker and philosopher Abdolkarim Sorush is one of a new generation of theologians that openly speaks out in favour of human rights and secularism in Iran. Katajun Amirpur about an awkward Iranian intellectual. More »

Synthesis of Islamic Thought, Secularism, and Modernity

In June, the highest Islamic authority in Turkey caused surprise by announcing that it will define a new, modern Islam. At least as far as the subject of women is concerned, the Diyanet, the Directorate of Religious Affairs, wants to present a modern image. Volker S. Stahr reports More »

A Modern Interpretation of Islam Instead of Missionary Work

In 2006, the Koran expert Ömer Özsoy from Kayseri in Turkey became the first Muslim theology professor at a German university. Arian Fariborz met with the renowned scholar and his students in Frankfurt More »

Beyond Conservatism and Nationalism

For some, the Turkish intellectual Ali Bulaç is a pioneering thinker of a backward-looking political Islam, whilst for others he represents a modern reformed Islam that renounces political ideology of any kind. By Guenter Seufert More »

The Basic Moral Values of the Koran

Chandra Muzaffar is one of Malaysia's best-known human rights activists and public intellectuals. While being critical of western global hegemony, he says Muslims have to fundamentally re-evaluate their understanding of Islam and its traditions. By Yogi Sikand More »

Seat of Knowledge and Mediator between the Cultures

The Faculty of Islamic Studies in Sarajevo is the most important institute of Islamic higher education, research and teaching in Europe. It is the living proof that Islam has its place in the modern academic world. Stefan Schreiner reports More »

The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam

Muhammad Iqbal is regarded as one of the great thinkers of the Islamic Awakening. His major philosophical work has now been published in German. The book's a timeless intellectual challenge of the first rank, says Ludwig Amman More »

''We Are Europeans''

Tariq Ramadan is considered by many one of Europe's most influential intellectuals. In this interview with Claudia Mende, the Swiss Muslim academic talks about his understanding of European citizenship, his concept of sharia, and the shortcomings of a literal interpretation of the Koran More »

Five Principles for Islam's Future

Islam can move beyond its association with oppression and violence by being true to itself and its past, says Fareena Alam. In her article, she argues for a promotion of spirituality and morality, and for the separation of state and church More »

'Gender Jihad' in the Service of Women's Rights

The 44-year-old US writer Asra Nomani is viewed as a prominent representative of "Gender Jihad". For the former Wall Street Journal reporter, there is no contradiction between Islam and feminism. She spoke to Alfred Hackensberger More »

''It Is the Right for Every Muslim to Interpret the Quran for Themselves''

One of the scholars who try to offer a more emancipatory interpretation of the Quran is Asma Barlas. She closely examines the male-oriented interpretations of the Quran and offers an antipatriarchal alternative More »

''We Muslims Have No Church!''

Human rights and secularism, says Ahmed An-Na'im, create a space for protest. And, surprisingly, the lawyer, who is originally from Sudan, sees in the Muslim law system, the Sharia, the third pillar of a humane civil society. Interview by Edith Kresta More »

Interpreting Islam in its Social Context

In Indonesia, eight months before September 11 2001, a small group of Muslim intellectuals got together with the aim of forming a progressive counterbalance to the conservative Islamist movements in their country. Christina Schott reports More »

Desperately Seeking Occidentalists

If relations between the West and the Muslim world are to be improved, writes Maulana Waris Mazhari, Muslims must make a serious attempt not only to study both the positive and the negative aspects of Western thought, civilisation and history, but also to learn from them More »

''Education Is the Most Crucial Challenge for India's Muslims''

Maulana Kalbe Sadiq is one of India's leading Shia Muslim scholars. In this interview with Yoginder Sikand, he talks about educational concepts of Indian Muslim scholars and their widespread reluctance to face Muslims' contemporary challenges More »

Learning from India

Asghar Ali Engineer's aim is to make progressive thinking accessible to lay people and to bring it beyond the borders of a select group of intellectuals. A portrait of the Indian Muslim thinker by Fatma Sagir More »