Rating: 
Summary: Good look at Islam but there are much better books than this
Review: Granted, there are better books that expose Islam, but Manji's "The Trouble With Islam" is a detailed look at the world's second largest faith, and why it's practices and beliefs are in disagreement with modern civilization. This book will help the many Muslims in this world that are tired of being associated with their terrorist and inhumane religion. Unlike other books that expose Islam, Manji doesn't go into deep theological reasons for her re-evaluation of Islam. Instead, she focuses more on the modern-day corruption of Islam. She speaks of how the Middle East conflict has taken over Islam, and in turn put fuel on the fire of Anti-Semetism that has existed since the days of Muhammad. Perhaps her most shattering grievance is the hijab. As anybody who was a Muslim knows, the hijab has taken on a level that are disturbing. If a Muslim woman doesn't wear hijab, then she is automatically looked at as being unfaithful to her religion, and possibly a hypocrite.My major disappointment regarding this book is that it is clear Manji is no scholar. Her knowledge is limited, and I found myself getting bored of her laundry list of problems with Islam. ...I thank Manji for contributing to the fight against Islam.
Rating: 
Summary: Is it Possible to Reform the Islamic Faith?
Review: "It's up to us in the West to drop reactionary charges of racism against the whistleblowers of Islam and lead the charge for change," contends Irshad Manji. The virus of political correctness is inhibiting many well meaning people from addressing the threat of Muslim extremist fundamentalism. Ms. Manji is a brave woman who is something of a theological modernist daring to confront the reactionary Islamic religion of her childhood. Those of us born within the Judeo-Christian traditions rarely faced anything this extreme. Even the more liberal interpretations of Islam regard women as second class citizens. Intolerance of other world views is the norm, and the mere wish for theological reform is deemed heretical---and sometimes worthy of a death sentence. It is almost miraculous that the author overcame countless subtle, and not so subtle, attacks on her self esteem. The fact that she is also a lesbian certainly didn't make her life any easier. What are the odds that Islam might be reformed? Manji isn't sure, but she's willing to give it her best effort. "If the nuances of Islam deserve to be recognized," adds the Irshad Manji, "so do the nuances of the West." The United States (and implicitly the Bush administration) has a great opportunity to militarily free the Afghans and Iraqis. However, the situation in the former country leaves something to be desired, and the ill-wishers of America "have announced that you'll abandon the Iraqis too. Prove the assassins of American character, dead wrong. Please don't hand them more ammunition." Manji shares with us her evolving realization that the Palestinians are not mere victims. Instead, the author believe that much of their grief is due to their poor choice of leaders. This is also the case for most of the Muslim nations. Indulging in self pity and scapegoating, asserts the author, isn't going to improve their lot in life. Ms. Manji is a neoconservative who might hesitate to candidly admit this obvious fact. She almost certainly prefers to remain in the political liberal camp. Will this be possible? I sincerely doubt it, and perhaps she might wish to handle this topic in a future book. One professional reviewer criticized Manji for her alleged "angry tone." This accusation is utterly without justification. Nothing could be further from the truth. Manji is very thoughtful and lacking in bitterness. She is not a vindictive and angry female liberationist seeking revenge. I strongly recommend --The Trouble With Islam.-- This is the book that must be read if you truly are trying to understand the struggles moderate Muslims encounter in trying to reform their faith. Is this merely their problem? Not in the least. Our motives are not limited to our altruistic impulses. The nihilistic adherents of Islam eagerly strive to destroy civilization. Our very instinct for self preservation compels us to partner with her to insure the very survival of the world. We and our loved ones may be personally doomed if Irshad Manji fails to accomplish her daunting mission.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding and brave book...
Review: The strength of Manji's book lies in her ability to see the current Middle Eastern crisis clearly... and her fearlessness in telling Muslims what most don't want to hear. She writes with charm, humor, and passion - but not anger. Hers is a clarion call urging Muslims to foresake the unthinking fundamentalism which too many are afraid to speak out against, and regain the freedom and creativity of Islam's golden age. I found the book spell-binding and have bought copies for others, for I cannot part with mine.
Rating:
Summary: Vital reading
Review: This small book should not be mistaken for a comprehensive, scholarly reference on Islam--the author does not represent it as such, and refers the reader to scholars like Bernard Lewis for further reference. It is a memoir--specifically, an account of the struggles of a young, gay, Western-bred Muslim woman to come to terms with the faith tradition in which she was raised. As such, it is an important work with an important message. The author is trying to chart out a vision of "modern" (but in its own sense, also very traditional) Islam that can be reconciled with the tolerant, post-enlightenment world view of the twenty first century. On those terms, it is a work that people of good will of all faith traditions should celebrate.
Rating: 
Summary: Shouting Against the Wind
Review: Manji's book offers a Muslim voice not often heard. While the book could sometimes benefit from more academic scholarship, Manji's quest is authentic and honest. "The Trouble With Islam" should not be read as a primer on the world's second largest religion but is a nice companion to introductions like those by Diana Eck, Bernard Lewis, Ahmed Akbar, or Charles Kimball. What is horrifying to me, however, is the flood of hateful responses from Muslims that can be found on this and other web sites all over the internet. The very ignorance and hate Manji writes of and against is being proven by her critics. I am appalled by the constant anti-semitic and violent words that are thrown her way. I've read that she's had bullet proof windows installed in her home. Ignorance is powerful. Consequently, I recommend Kimball's "When Religion Becomes Evil."
Rating: 
Summary: The Queen of Deceit
Review: It seems like the more someone is critical of her book the more people review it. I expect 1000 people to review my opinion. A Muslim lesbian is explaining the problem with Islam. She must have the Mullahs in Iran itching their heads on what to do. I think she only states she is a Muslim in order to protect herself from being murdered like her friend almost was, Salman Rushdie(they really are friends). I am pretty sure she celebrates the Sabbath with her family. In her next book, I expect her to condone the blowing up of Palestinian houses. There is a problem with Islam and there are corrupt govt's like Saudia Arabia, but if you say that the Quran is wrongly written , you are ignorant. It would be illogical to believe that God would allow a million copies of it to be written and they would all be wrong. As for the Bible, it has 50 different versions, The Quran has 1. The way you translate a verse for example, the one that says "cut their fingertips off wherever you see them," is how you interpret Islam. This verse is instructions on how to fight those who agress you and it meant to cut the fingers of the enemies who had swords to disarm them. It doesnt mean chop any non muslims fingers off. As for the verse, " Do not befriend Christians or Jews," this implies to not be friends with those who slander your religion, whether they are Jew Christian Buddhist or Atheist.
Before you make a decision on Islam, please try to understand why it is the fastest growing religion in the world.
Rating: 
Summary: She quarrels with her faith because...
Review: She doesn't know her faith. But she does know a little about what is wrong with Muslims, not Islam. They ONLY thing I did agree with what she claims is the sayings of the prophet Muhammad(pbuh). I too agree the Hadiths(not to be mistaken with the Quran) that they should be reviewed as I have doubts to whether a prophet like Muhammad would say such things that seem a little 'peculiar'. If we look at prophet Muhammad's(pbuh) life, we see him fighting for women's rights, minority rights, etc. He struggled for the poor. Most importantly, the Quran was brought to the entire world from God to give us guidance. A guidance which Arabs after the invasion of the Mongols failed to live up to. Both books, Sahih Muslim and Sahih Al-Bukhari do need revision. The Quran has brought millions upon millions of people closer to Islam, whereas the Hadith has thrown some people away from Islam. Other than that, the rest of her claims are jebbrish. Unlike Ibn Warraq, who took advantage of Islam's situation today by writing books that would interest anti-islam bashers for his own financial gain, this women at least has ONE reasonable point. One more thing I need to mention, at times in this books it gets confusing. This book is not well-written at all.
Rating:
Summary: Muslim refusenik makes me a non-confusenik
Review: The front cover art says it all... a woman's mouth is silenced. But that was the past. Ms Manji's book is filled with rants, but fantastic rants filled with angst (she frequently gets threatened, modern Muslim architecture negates local cultural influences), humor (martyrs are actually promised 72 hur/white raisins, not 72 virgins), advice (how to speak out, liberal Western Muslims should assert their ownership of the religion), and insight (the roots of literalism). She joins a chorus of voices of Muslims who are questioning the strict, information hoarding leaders and teachers of their faith; she calls for a reformation or debate as profound as Martin Luther's or Talmudists. The twin towers Manji, 35, wants toppled are the towers of deceit and conceit. She denounces the lack of intellectual diversity in mainstream Islam, and desires ITJIHAD (the struggle for critical independent thinking) over JIHAD. Ms. Manji is a daughter many would pray for: inquisitive, intelligent, but blunt. As a teen, she confronted her teacher in a religion class who taught anti-Jewish ideas. She quoted the Koran to contradict him. She as expelled. As an older teen, she spoke out against her extended family's racism, use of slavery, and sexism. It was decided she should not visit them in Uganda. When threatened with physical abuse by a joyless parent, she fled to the roof. Many readers will say she is not religiously observant or learned enough to question Islam. Some will write her off for criticizing Muslim societies for allowing honor-killings, wife beatings, torturous clitorectomies; but this is a must read for any thinking person who wants to embrace both religion and the contemporary diverse world.
Rating:
Summary: Fatwa again?
Review: Its interesting reading all of these reviews. It reminds me of another Muslim author's reviews. Anyone remember what happened to Salman Rushdie after he published the Satanic Verses? A price was put out on his head. While I'm not comparing Manji's topic or quality of prose to Rushdie, the message is the same: something is wrong here. Something is wrong when religion is taught as something to memorize and blindly obey, and where followers are taught that killing the infidels is perfectly OK. I'm not saying that Islam it the first religion to go through this phase - how many people died during the Inquisition? The crusades? All religions must evolve and adapt to a changing world. Islam just needs a little help from within, from people like Manji.
Rating:
Summary: There are much better books about Islam
Review: Please don't think (as I thought) that this book was written for Muslims seeking justice, equality, etc. In reality, this book is not helpful to Muslims. Rather, this book is for those who are seeking to attack the faith.
For those interested, the following books about Islam are better alternatives to this book: Justice/Law:
"Authoritative and Authoritarian in Islamic Discourses" and "Conference of the Book" by Khaled Abou El Fadl
Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, and Pluralism by Omid Safi (editor)
Qur'an Liberation and Pluralism by Farid Esack Women:
Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective by Amina Wadud
"Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an by Asma Barlas Islamic faith and history:
Islam: Religion, History, and Civilization by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
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