When Writers Need Bodyguards

As a general rule, writers should not need bodyguards. Not, at least, because of what they write. Anyone who wants to do physical harm to a writer because of the thoughts he or she has jotted down on paper needs to lighten up a bit, have a beer, maybe pet the cat for a while.

Sadly, this is not an ideal world. Dictatorships are always suppressing literature that might call their rule into question. Soviet governments were so hardcore in this area that plenty of writers got sent off to the Gulags, and self-publishing dissenting works became a dangerous and heroic act. Then, of course, there was the whole Salman Rushdie, Ayatollah Khomeini affair.

Yesterday I read a review of a book by a Canadian Muslim woman named Irshad Manji. In her book, "The Trouble with Islam," she encourages moderate Muslims to forcefully assert control over the public manifestations of their faith. Like Rushdie, she has received credible death threats. The windows in her home are made from bullet-proof glass. Like Rushdie, Ms. Manji needs a bodyguard.

As it happens, there are Muslims out there actually doing what Manji advocates. Husain Haqqani, a journalist and former Pakistani ambassador, is traveling around the United States with coreligionist Stephen Schwartz promoting the newly created Institute for Islamic Progress and Peace (IIPP). The IIPP seeks to put moderate Muslims back in charge of their faith in the United States, and eventually internationally, casting off all association of Islam with terrorism or anti-semitism.

There are hopeful signs for the success of the IIPP's mission.... That bodyguard of Irshad Manji? He's an Israeli.