Raheel Raza: Difference between revisions

Raheel Raza (born 1949 or 1950 (age 74–75) in Pakistan) is a Muslim Canadian journalist, author, public speaker, media consultant, anti-racism activist, and interfaith discussion leader.^{[3][4][5][6][7][8]} She lives in Toronto, Canada.^[9]

Raza is the author of Their Jihad, Not My Jihad: a Muslim Canadian woman speaks out.^[3] She is an outspoken adversary of inequality toward Muslim women, and terrorism committed in the name of Islam.^[10] As a result, she has received death threats.^[11]

Raza is a Canadian of Pakistani origin.^[12] Raza graduated Karachi University with degrees in Psychology and English.^[13] In 1989, she and her husband and two sons moved to Toronto, Canada.^[13][8] She is a devout Muslim.^[14]

She has unequivocally condemned 9/11, all terrorism, and violence in the name of religion and in the name of Islam in particular.^[4][10] She is of the view that radical Muslims worship their own interpretation of religion, and that suicide bombings are not justified by the Koran.^[15]

Raza believes that an ideology of hate that has nothing to do with Islam "had been happening here in Canada to the extent that hate was being spouted through places of worship, and by people who make it their day job to incite young people in this hatred. Towards what they perceive to be the imperial powers, the western occupation of parts of the world." She believes that parents are the first line of defense against imported hatred of Canadian values.^[16]

She observed, "I have been sued for calling extremists, 'extremist,' and I am listed on the 10 'World's Most Hated Muslims' list. I'm No. 6. I hope to be No. 1. Obviously I'm doing something right."^[10] She has, however, also received death threats.^[11]

Raza reacted to the term "Islamophobia", saying it is used too often to stifle debate or criticism. As she put it: "many Muslims in the West use Islamophobia as a penalty card against free speech, whenever there is criticism of Muslims. This reactionary response is stifling dialogue, debate, and discussion—all signs of a healthy thriving democracy."^[14]

Raza has been an activist for gender equality, especially towards women within Islam, and for human rights.^[17][10] She led the first Muslim mixed-sex prayers in Canada, and said: "I already have a fatwa against me".^{[12][18][19][20][21]} Describing leading the prayers, she said: "It was a very profound experience. It's not about taking the job of an imam. It's about reminding the Muslim community that 50 per cent of its adherents are women, who are equal to men. Women are equally observant, practising Muslims who deserve to be heard."^[1]

She has argued for a public ban in Canada on religious face coverings, saying: "When people come to Canada, we're not coming to the Islamic Republic of Canada. We are coming here because we want ... the separation of church and state."^[22]

She is a Board Member of and Director of Interfaith Affairs for the Muslim Canadian Congress, which was organized to provide a voice for Muslims supporting a "progressive, liberal, pluralistic, democratic, and secular society where everyone has the freedom of religion."^[23][24][25] She is also President of the Forum for Learning, a Toronto-based non-profit organization focused on knowledge, interaction, and interfaith discussion.^[26] In 2006 the National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee honored her for promoting interfaith understanding.^[27]

Razi has worked as a freelance journalist for The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Khaleej Times, and Gulf News.^[13] In 2000, she received an award from the Canadian Ethnic Journalists and Writers Club.^[13][28] She has also lectured at York University about the portrayal of Muslims in the media.^[29]

Raza is the author of Their Jihad, Not My Jihad: a Muslim Canadian woman speaks out, a collection of her op-ed columns from the Toronto Star.^[3][30] She is also a poet and a playwright.^[15]

• Their jihad-- not my jihad!: a Muslim Canadian woman speaks out, Raheel Raza, Basileia Books, 2005, ISBN 0973508728

• "Flavours of a desi Christmas; For Canada's South Asian Christians, Christmas is a festive time full of unique traditions – especially when it comes to food", Raheel Raza, the Toronto Star, December 13, 2007
• "In the Arms of Extremists", Raheel Raza, Ottawa Citizen, December 28, 2007
• "Steeped in superstition; When folklore, traditions and imagination intersect, the resulting beliefs are something even educated people take seriously", Raheel Riza, the Toronto Star, March 19, 2008
• "'Islamophobia' used too often to stifle debate or criticism", Raheel Riza, The Vancouver Sun, June 17, 2008
• "Mischief in Manhattan; We Muslims know the Ground Zero mosque is meant to be a deliberate provocation", Raheel Raza and Tarek Fatah, Ottawa Citizen, August 7, 2010

• Official website