Friday, March 18, 2005
And here I was under the impression that I had thought of it first. That's only because I hadn't (and haven't) read Irshad Manji's book yet, I guess. Cori Dauber points to this story of a woman scheduled to lead a Muslim prayer in New York and notes:
Ishad Manji argues that Islam needs reform, but she also argues that it is the Muslims who live in Western countries, where they can think, write, speak, freely, who will have to lead that effort.
Looks like some people agree with her...
Some others are none-too-pleased (I can sympathize with the backlash concern, especially, but the fact is that you've got to start somewhere.).
The AP and BBC version notes:" One young U.S.-born, bearded activist, who only gave his name as Nussrah, said Wadud was not representative of Muslims. "She is tarnishing the whole Islamic faith," he said."
The Kninght-Ridders Service version includes another statement from Nussrah: “If this was an Islamic state, this woman would be hanged, she would be killed, she would be diced into pieces.â€
Yeah, saw that at LGF. As Charles pointed out...he's right.
80-100 Muslims attended the Friday night prayers led by a woman. Doesn't that seem like a very, very small turnout in NYC? No mosque in NYC would hold it, it was held in St. John's (Episcopalian) Cathedral. This seems extremely fringe to me.