BTW, I love your use of the term “cultural imperialism.” It is a term I never would have thought to use but yet a perfect way to define the situation. Kudos!
Irshad Manji Reply: October 13th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
@Maija, Thanks so much, Maija. I actually used the term “cultural imperialism” in The Trouble with Islam Today. It’s one of many reasons for the backlash I’ve faced (something I don’t mind confronting for the sake of honesty and change). Besides pointing out that Islamic practices need reform — which is heretical enough to acknowledge — I gave evidence that far more Muslims suffer under the weight of Arab cultural imperialism than American or Israeli colonialism. As a professor said at one of my film screenings in Indonesia, “Islamic history is usually taught as if it’s Arab history.” The Indonesia students “got it” right away — because as non-Arab Muslims, they’re usually treated by Arabs as second-class. With the Indonesian government re-designing its tourism business to appeal to Saudis and others from the Gulf region, Arab customs are increasingly being imposed on residents of coastal towns in Indonesia so that they don’t offend the Arab tourists. Yet another example of cultural imperialism.
@Irshad Manji, Irshad, I can’t wait to share your insight with one of my best friends, who is a Muslim. Although he is Afghan, he also claims Arabic heritage. We’ve been discussing Islamic reform and he’s come to see how mired the form of Islam he has known his entire life is in Arabic tribal culture. I can’t wait for him to read how the culture of Islam, which piggybacks the actual faith is perceived by the Indonesians. It makes that cultural aspect that most Muslims don’t think twice about so glaringly apparent. Thanks, Irshad. And, BTW, your book is on my Amazon wishlist. I’m really looking forward to reading it!
Irshad Manji Reply: October 13th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
@Maija, Here’s something I wrote for Newsweek.com earlier this year that I think will give both you and your Afghan friend more food for thought. The piece goes deeper into the Arab cultural imperialism point, but also touches on other aspects of Islamic reform: http://www.newsweek.com/id/195490
@Irshad Manji, Thanks so much, Irshad. I was just talking to my friend about your last reply. I then ordered two copies of your book — one each for me and him! I look forward to reading the article and thanks again!
“In my facebook community men are more inclined to reject the Burqa outright for women, and women are more likely to promote choice”—Irshad Manji
Brilliant observation. Those words stand out for me. I have made a similar observation when discussing about issues that pertain to Hijab and Muslim women’s rights. It is an interesting phenomenon that merits inquiry. Aren’t men the misogynists who socially invented and imposed upon women the burqa and reduced them to inferior social positions? It could be that Irshad’s FB community is skewed by the progressive elements. Admittedly, I often cast my lot with those men inclined to condemn the Hijab unequivocally and in strong terms. I think it is because I, and perhaps most progressive men, understand that most women do not veil out of choice but out of fear of backlash (as Irshad explained), and thus I’m often inclined to reject the Hijab outright without bearing in mind women’s right to choose. Ironically, disallowing the Hijab is no different than imposing it (either way denies choice).
I believe in order to move the debate forward, reform-minded Muslim women need to recognize and mentally process the element of fear of family and community backlash that subjugates them to behave and dress certain ways. It is a challenge, I know. I don’t intend to underestimate the power of fear of repercussions.
I agree with you, and I, too, have found that my girlfriends are particularly hesitant to take a stance on the burqa issue or condemn it outright. Just the other day, I was talking with my roommate, who argued that in America, muslim women clearly have a choice to wear it and many women choose to do so. Therefore, she argued, it’s not up to us to judge another culture. She claimed that if women in non-democratic Arab countries really don’t want the burqa, they will rise up just like women in America did in the 1920s. I have heard this analogy before, and it disturbs me that people cannot draw the distinction between an open environment where, even if the citizens are not satisfied with their rights, they still have basic inalienable freedoms such as the freedom to protest, and environments where no such movements are tolerated. How could women begin to rise up if they have no outlet to do so? Moreover, just as you discussed in your post, women are afraid and made to believe they do not deserve better, so it’s not as if anyone is empowering them….
Abdishwak (Wally) Reply: October 15th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
@karys rhea,
“if women in non-democratic Arab countries really don’t want the burqa, they will rise up just like women in America did in the 1920s.”
People who believe in this idea are either in delusional state or in denial. I agree with you that freedom of association is vital in about bringing a change.
Also important to remember those American women in the suffrage movement (Alice Paul, et al) were imprisoned, beaten and tortured by the US government to gain suffrage. After the fact, the US acts as if it “gave” women the right to vote. It didn’t. We took it, and suffered for it. It didn’t happen through open, free debate.
Hi all: The story of Emily Pankhurst and the suffragist movement in the UK shows just how steep the cost can be to effect positive social change. Gandhi met with the British suffragists and took great inspiration from them. Yet another example that the values of justice need not be culture-specific if we’re willing to move beyond identity politics, which Gandhi did.
October 13th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Irshad, your courage and moral and intellectual clarity are always inspiring!
[Reply]
October 13th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
BTW, I love your use of the term “cultural imperialism.” It is a term I never would have thought to use but yet a perfect way to define the situation. Kudos!
[Reply]
Irshad Manji Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
@Maija, Thanks so much, Maija. I actually used the term “cultural imperialism” in The Trouble with Islam Today. It’s one of many reasons for the backlash I’ve faced (something I don’t mind confronting for the sake of honesty and change). Besides pointing out that Islamic practices need reform — which is heretical enough to acknowledge — I gave evidence that far more Muslims suffer under the weight of Arab cultural imperialism than American or Israeli colonialism. As a professor said at one of my film screenings in Indonesia, “Islamic history is usually taught as if it’s Arab history.” The Indonesia students “got it” right away — because as non-Arab Muslims, they’re usually treated by Arabs as second-class. With the Indonesian government re-designing its tourism business to appeal to Saudis and others from the Gulf region, Arab customs are increasingly being imposed on residents of coastal towns in Indonesia so that they don’t offend the Arab tourists. Yet another example of cultural imperialism.
[Reply]
Maija Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
@Irshad Manji, Irshad, I can’t wait to share your insight with one of my best friends, who is a Muslim. Although he is Afghan, he also claims Arabic heritage. We’ve been discussing Islamic reform and he’s come to see how mired the form of Islam he has known his entire life is in Arabic tribal culture. I can’t wait for him to read how the culture of Islam, which piggybacks the actual faith is perceived by the Indonesians. It makes that cultural aspect that most Muslims don’t think twice about so glaringly apparent. Thanks, Irshad. And, BTW, your book is on my Amazon wishlist. I’m really looking forward to reading it!
[Reply]
Irshad Manji Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
@Maija, Here’s something I wrote for Newsweek.com earlier this year that I think will give both you and your Afghan friend more food for thought. The piece goes deeper into the Arab cultural imperialism point, but also touches on other aspects of Islamic reform: http://www.newsweek.com/id/195490
[Reply]
Maija Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 12:07 am
@Irshad Manji, Thanks so much, Irshad. I was just talking to my friend about your last reply. I then ordered two copies of your book — one each for me and him! I look forward to reading the article and thanks again!
[Reply]
Loga'Abdullah Reply:
April 30th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
@Maija, I reviewed Irshad Manji’s book here – I think you may find it interesting
http://www.alhamdulilah.info/2010/04/trouble-with-islam-irshad-manji.html
Feel free to contact me if you have any comments or suggestions about this book review.
[Reply]
October 15th, 2009 at 2:34 am
“In my facebook community men are more inclined to reject the Burqa outright for women, and women are more likely to promote choice”—Irshad Manji
Brilliant observation. Those words stand out for me. I have made a similar observation when discussing about issues that pertain to Hijab and Muslim women’s rights. It is an interesting phenomenon that merits inquiry. Aren’t men the misogynists who socially invented and imposed upon women the burqa and reduced them to inferior social positions? It could be that Irshad’s FB community is skewed by the progressive elements. Admittedly, I often cast my lot with those men inclined to condemn the Hijab unequivocally and in strong terms. I think it is because I, and perhaps most progressive men, understand that most women do not veil out of choice but out of fear of backlash (as Irshad explained), and thus I’m often inclined to reject the Hijab outright without bearing in mind women’s right to choose. Ironically, disallowing the Hijab is no different than imposing it (either way denies choice).
I believe in order to move the debate forward, reform-minded Muslim women need to recognize and mentally process the element of fear of family and community backlash that subjugates them to behave and dress certain ways. It is a challenge, I know. I don’t intend to underestimate the power of fear of repercussions.
[Reply]
karys rhea Reply:
October 15th, 2009 at 11:59 am
@Abdishwak (Wally),
I agree with you, and I, too, have found that my girlfriends are particularly hesitant to take a stance on the burqa issue or condemn it outright. Just the other day, I was talking with my roommate, who argued that in America, muslim women clearly have a choice to wear it and many women choose to do so. Therefore, she argued, it’s not up to us to judge another culture. She claimed that if women in non-democratic Arab countries really don’t want the burqa, they will rise up just like women in America did in the 1920s. I have heard this analogy before, and it disturbs me that people cannot draw the distinction between an open environment where, even if the citizens are not satisfied with their rights, they still have basic inalienable freedoms such as the freedom to protest, and environments where no such movements are tolerated. How could women begin to rise up if they have no outlet to do so? Moreover, just as you discussed in your post, women are afraid and made to believe they do not deserve better, so it’s not as if anyone is empowering them….
[Reply]
Abdishwak (Wally) Reply:
October 15th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
@karys rhea,
“if women in non-democratic Arab countries really don’t want the burqa, they will rise up just like women in America did in the 1920s.”
People who believe in this idea are either in delusional state or in denial. I agree with you that freedom of association is vital in about bringing a change.
[Reply]
Amanda Reply:
October 15th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
@Abdishwak (Wally) and @karys rhea,
Also important to remember those American women in the suffrage movement (Alice Paul, et al) were imprisoned, beaten and tortured by the US government to gain suffrage. After the fact, the US acts as if it “gave” women the right to vote. It didn’t. We took it, and suffered for it. It didn’t happen through open, free debate.
[Reply]
Abdishwak (Wally) Reply:
October 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
@Amanda,
That too is true
[Reply]
October 17th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Hi all: The story of Emily Pankhurst and the suffragist movement in the UK shows just how steep the cost can be to effect positive social change. Gandhi met with the British suffragists and took great inspiration from them. Yet another example that the values of justice need not be culture-specific if we’re willing to move beyond identity politics, which Gandhi did.
[Reply]