Irshad Manji

Irshad Manji is a multifaceted social entrepreneur, educator, author, and advocate for a reformist interpretation of Islam. She founded Moral Courage College and teaches with Oxford University's Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights. Manji is the bestselling author of "The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith," "Allah, Liberty and Love," and the international bestseller "Don’t Label Me: How to Do Diversity Without Inflaming the Culture Wars." Her books, celebrated in numerous countries and banned in others, consistently push for a critical and open discussion on the challenges and opportunities for modern Muslims.

In January 2008, Manji established the Moral Courage Project at New York University's Wagner School of Public Service to empower young people to confront challenging issues within their communities. She later expanded this initiative to the University of Southern California in 2015, where she serves as a senior fellow. Her work on moral courage and "Diversity Without Division" is also highlighted in her development and co-founding of the "Applied Courage" program at Human Condition Labs in New York City. Her Emmy-nominated PBS film, "Faith Without Fear," further explores her personal quest to harmonize Islam with universal principles like women’s equality and respect for minorities.

Oprah Winfrey recognized Manji’s bold contributions with her first-ever “Chutzpah Award” for boldness, and she has also received the Simon Wiesenthal Award for Valor. Described by The New York Times as “Osama bin Laden’s worst nightmare,” and lauded as a "Feminist for the 21st Century" by Ms. magazine, Manji's impact extends beyond literature and film. She engages global audiences on topics such as ethical leadership, civil rights, and social justice, and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Her dynamic speaking engagements are noted for their interactive and unfiltered approach to addressing complex and often controversial issues.