Irshad Manji on gay-straight alliances

Speaks against Muslim prayer groups in public schools

Irshad Manji is the author of Allah, Liberty and Love: The Courage to Reconcile Faith and Freedom, in which she takes aim at identity politics and the sacred cows of Islam.

In a Sept 28 interview with Xtra, she weighs in on the matter of gay-straight alliances in Ontario’s Catholic schools. “Abolish the separate school system,” she says. She also speaks against the creation of Muslim prayer rooms in public schools. She singles out Toronto’s Valley Park Middle School, which is offering imam-led prayer sessions in a bid to keep Muslim students from skipping classes to attend religious services outside the school.

We’ll have more of our interview online soon. In the meantime, see our piece on Manji from earlier this summer.

Manji will be appearing on Thursday, Sept 29 at 7pm at Norfolk United Church, 75 Norfolk St, Guelph. For more information, click here.


On occasion, the number of editors and other staff who contribute to a story gets a little unwieldy to give a byline to everyone. That’s when we use “Xtra Staff” in place of the usual contributor info. If you would like more information on who contributed to a particular story, please contact us here.

Keep Reading

Aaron Gunn, Andrew Lawton among controversial MPs headed to Ottawa

ANALYSIS: The 2025 federal election winners include multiple people with concerning pasts around LGBTQ2S+ issues

Mark Carney’s Liberals projected to win Canadian federal election

What does the 2025 Canadian federal election result mean for LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada?

Conservative platform pledges ban on trans women in women’s prisons

ANALYSIS: The Conservative Party of Canada’s 2025 federal election platform also hints at possible future anti-trans policies

Quinn’s inaugural NSL goal is a big deal for trans sports

ANALYSIS: The Vancouver Rise midfielder ensured that trans people will play a starring role in the new era of sports in Canada