Their Jihad..Not My Jihad - Raheel Raza

176 Pages·2005·1.07 MB·English

Praise for the author

Whether in her talks or writings, Raheel Raza has always engaged
humanity in a moral discourse where all human beings can connect with
each other based on common ethical values. In this work, she has
courageously sought to incorporate notions of dignity, freedom of
conscience, rights of minorities, and gender equality based on the notion
of universal moral values. In the process, she engages and challenges the
juridical and exegetical formulations of the classical period of Islam.

- Dr. Liyakatali Takim, University of Denver

If it were possible to achieve peace and harmony throughout the world
through the efforts of one person, that person would be Raheel Raza.
There is no one more passionate and more committed to the cause. When
she speaks, people listen.

- Carola Vyhnak, Manager of Community and Public Relations, The Toronto Star

Raheel Raza is one of the most highly respected scholars in the field of
Inter-faith studies that I have the privilege to know. On several occasions,
we have worked together on presentations designed to facilitate
relationships between the Muslim and Christian communities. She is a
very able communicator, and very dialogical in her educational approach.
Her analytical insights are sharp, and extremely valued by the wider
community. That is part of the reason her frequent articles in The
Toronto Star are so well received. There are few scholars I know who have
a greater grasp of the current inter-faith issues that challenge us, and who
are able to make the connections between these issues and the political,
economic and social contexts of our time. As a feminist scholar, she brings
a fresh and often prophetic perspective to the raging religious and political
debates in our world, and has the courage of her convictions in the
process. She does this with the passion of commitment to her own
religious tradition, and with deep respect for other paths of religious
search and truth. Raheel Raza is dedicated to the pursuit of truth that
frees and builds relationships among peoples of diverse cultures. Her
scholarship is a reference point for many of us who seek a similar goal.

- Dr. Hallett Llewellyn, Pastoral Staff, Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, Toronto
PREFACE

It has been my privilege to share a podium with Raheel Raza a number of
times, and I find her to be a refreshingly moderate, progressive activist. Now,
what do those words mean? As a responsible journalist, in these stories Raza
illuminates us about the real meanings of these and many other terms, and
helps educate us as we try to understand today’s struggle within Islam,
especially about the role of women and relations with the rest of the world.
These highly readable essays open our eyes to the historical facts, and to both
sides of many of the contentious issues. At times she even defends some
traditional views.
At the same time she has a clear stance. One of my spiritual teachers once
said, “Religion is progressive, if it’s not progressive, it isn’t religion.” It is
mainly in the last century that Judaism, the tradition I was born into,
developed not only conservative and reform wings in addition to its orthodox
heritage, but also reconstructionist and renewal. This happened in other faith
groups, too; why not in Islam? While embracing her religion with renewed
vigour, Raza is among those who insist on a renewed examination of the
meanings of their faith, and in untangling the social and political burdens
placed upon it over the centuries. And she gives us refreshing insights into the
inner struggles that many are undergoing, in the greater jihad the Prophet
spoke about.
She expresses special admiration for the Sufi mystics with their all-
encompassing spirituality, and today’s interfaith movement, with both of
which I have the good fortune to be involved. She quotes the thirteenth
century Sufi Master, Jalaluddin Rumi, who began as a pre-eminent Islamic
scholar, and became one of the early interfaith spokesmen. Translations of his
works are the most quoted poetry in the English language today. She also tells
the entrancing story of the first Sufi Saint of Islam: Rabia, a woman!
Above all, this is not a scholarly tome full of footnotes, but an entertaining
series of stories of interesting people, in the best tradition of the “new
journalism”, with the passionate engagement of the writer. It is fitting that
among the many honours she has received was a tribute by Canadian Living
magazine, for she perfectly exemplifies the progressive yet moderate stance
that Canada is becoming respected for around the world.

-Rev. Leslie Gabriel Mezei, interfaith minister of the Universal Worship Service
and Editor of the Interfaith Unity e-mail newsletter (www.interfaithunity.ca)

2
THEIR JIHAD…
NOT MY JIHAD!

Raheel Raza

A Muslim Canadian woman speaks out

THEIR JIHAD…
NOT MY JIHAD!

B B Basileia Books
Their Jihad…Not My Jihad! Copyright © 2005 by Raheel Raza. All rights
reserved. Printed in Canada. No part of this book may be used or
reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except
in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For
information address Basileia Books, 354476 Mill Line, Ingersoll, ON N5C
3J5.

National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Raza, Raheel, 1950-
Their Jihad…Not My Jihad! A Muslim Canadian woman speaks out /
Raheel Raza

Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-9735087-2-8

1. Jihad. 2. Islam-21st century. 3. Muslim women. 4. Women in
Islam.
1. Title.

BP 182.R39 2005 297.7’2 C2005-906250-9

Design & Composition: Basileia Books
Cover design: Manuel Oliveira
Cover photo: CP (Hussein Malla)
Back cover photo: Karen Paton-Evans
Editors: Karen Paton-Evans and David Galston
Printed in Canada by Webcom
DEDICATION

I dedicate this book
to the activists who are struggling to take back the soul of Islam
&
to the women of Islam who are struggling to bring about a “silent
revolution”
&
to my friends in spirituality, who are struggling
to bridge the gulf between various faiths

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work would not have been possible without the support and
guidance of my many mentors. I would like to especially thank Dr.
Abdulaziz Sachedina, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Virginia
and of the International Advisory Board for the constitution of Iraq; The
Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, General Secretary, The Canadian Council of
Churches; and Dr. Liyakatali Takim, Professor of Religious Studies,
University of Denver.

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On a personal level, I am profoundly thankful to my husband, Sohail,
who has been the inspiration for many of my writings, and for his
complete confidence in me; I am touched by the unconditional love and
unwavering support of my sons, Saif and Zain, and I am grateful to my
mother-in-law, Nikhat, for her patience and forbearance.

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I fondly remember my parents: Ammi for constantly admonishing me to
“speak less” because girls should be seen and not heard and Abbajani for
encouraging me to follow my dreams and reach for the stars. May their
souls rest in peace. Ameen

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I would like to acknowledge that many of these articles were initially
published in The Toronto Star; I am grateful to the various editors who
felt the message needed to be heard.

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I thank the following organizations for their support:

Creative Cultural Communications
Forum for Learning
Muslim Canadian Congress
Organization of Islamic Learning
SnowStar Institute of Religion
The United Church of Canada
Women Engaging in Bridge Building

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