Irshad Manji

Irshad Manji, born in 1968, is a prominent Ugandan-born Canadian educator, journalist, and women's rights activist. She is widely recognized for her thought-provoking works, including 'The Trouble with Islam Today' published in two thousand four and 'Allah, Liberty and Love' released in two thousand eleven. Both books have sparked significant controversy, leading to their ban in several Muslim countries.

In addition to her writing, Manji produced the acclaimed PBS documentary 'Faith Without Fear' as part of the 'America at a Crossroads' series, which earned an Emmy Award nomination in two thousand eight. Her career as a journalist and television presenter has been marked by her advocacy for a reformist interpretation of Islam, challenging the literalist views of the Qur'an.

Her latest work, 'Don't Label Me,' published in two thousand nineteen, offers innovative strategies for bridging political, racial, and cultural divides. This book aligns with the principles of the Moral Courage Project, which she founded at New York University in two thousand eight and later expanded to the University of Southern California in two thousand sixteen, during her tenure as a senior fellow at the Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy.

After her time at USC, Manji established Moral Courage College, aiming to equip young individuals with the skills to engage in honest discussions about polarizing issues, rather than resorting to shaming or canceling one another. Currently, she serves as a senior research fellow with the Oxford Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights, where she continues to lecture on these vital themes.