Their Jihad. Not My Jihad! A Muslim Canadian Woman Speaks Out

Distressed by the challenges facing Muslims living in North America, author Raheel Raza has engaged her own jihad in her adopted homeland.

In Their Jihad…Not My Jihad!, Raza, who was born in Pakistan and now lives in Mississauga, examines how Muslims, their religion and their culture integrate into North American society. A progressive Muslim feminist, Raza is particularly sympathetic to immigrant Muslim women who are bewildered and often disadvantaged as they try to transition from their old way of life into the new.

Their Jihad…Not My Jihad! explores spiritual, gender and political jihad. Raza writes:

"Since September 11, 2001, I’ve been invited to many churches, schools and community centers to speak about Islam to non-Muslims. People curiously ask if I’m trying to convert others or get converted myself! I tell them it’s neither: What I do is essentially "damage control."

With time, I thought this fleeting interest in Islam and Muslims would fade, like a passing fad. Much to my surprise, it hasn’t and today, I still find myself doing the rounds, teaching Islam 101!

One of the most satisfying aspects of these sessions is the Q & A’s; this is when real issues surface and the spectre of an unknown fear is put to rest. I usually start off by telling my listeners that no question is too controversial and no issue too contentious for me. Questions have ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous: "How many wives does your husband have?" to "What is the history of the turban in Islam?"

However, there is one serious question that is posed every time, in various formats: "Is violence a part of your faith and does it say, somewhere in your scripture, that suicide is an honourable act to be rewarded by God? Is killing non-Muslims a form of jihad?"

It concerns me that while I spend valuable time and energy informing non-Muslims about the true interpretation of jihad (moral, intellectual and spiritual striving) and that violence and suicide are forbidden in Islam, there are many people in positions of authority within the Muslim world who simultaneously promote and condone violence. These are Islamists who believe their jihad is physical violence against civilians seen to be their enemy; to blow themselves up for political aims and to rid the earth of non-Muslims.

Obviously, their jihad and my jihad are not the same. I believe the jihad preached and practised by the Messenger of Islam, Mohammad is not the one being propagated by people who support the path of violence against civilians, or who encourage the destruction of lives through suicide bombings."

In Their Jihad…Not My Jihad!, Raza offers insight, opinions and solutions to restoring dignity and respect to Muslims living in the West, while reminding them that they need to take back their faith from Islamic extremists.

Raheel Raza, 56, is a Muslim woman born and educated in Pakistan who immigrated to Canada with her husband and two sons in 1989. For more than 10 years, Raheel has been on a one-woman crusade to encourage moderate Muslims in Canada and the U.S. to take back their true faith from the Islamic extremists and terrorists. Raheel is distressed by what extremists have done to the reputation of mainstream Muslims. She is also disturbed by the West's portrayal of Muslim women and the Islamic faith.

Around the world, in churches, synagogues, conferences and the media, the interfaith advocate talks about Islam and builds networks of understanding and tolerance. She continues to speak out, despite receiving a fatwa and open condemnation from more traditional Muslims.

Raheel has written a new book, "Their Jihad...Not My Jihad!" to help the West understand - and to remind Muslims - what Jihad (a struggle) is really all about. The book explores spiritual, gender and political jihad in North America, the UK and Southeast Asia. She takes on Osama bin Laden, Islamic extremists, biased and ill-informed media and bigots everywhere. She discusses honestly the shameful side of her beautiful faith: the fate of Indian brides sold to abusive Western Muslim men, the obscene excesses of the wealthy and privileged living above the poor in Southeast Asia, the sexism prevalent in Pakistan and imported into North America. Raheel also highlights the heroes: the men and women living, working, teaching and reporting in North America who are changing anti-Muslim perceptions in the West.

Her collection of articles reveals that Raheel recognized the warning signs of unrest in the UK, predicting something explosive would happen - long before the London bombings occurred in July 2005. She is convinced the terrorists will strike again in the West and fears her beloved Canada will be next.

Her book is an unflinching, realistic view of the way things really are for Muslims here and abroad. Her message is of one of hope, however. Raheel believes "humanity is one community. There is unitiy in diversity."

She has been recognized for her courage, honesty and integrity in her interfaith work. Her husband, Sohail, and her two sons who are now young men, support Raheel completely. At her Toronto book launch on Nov 25, 2005, 170 Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, unbelievers and media came to honour and congratulate Raheel.

For more information regarding Raheel, please contact Basileia Books at 519.425.4546.