Zainab Al-Suwaij, 40, grew up in Basra, Iraq, raised by her grandfather, the city’s leading cleric. Inspired by his leadership, she joined the 1991 uprising against Saddam Hussein, and was later forced to flee the country. In the wake of 9/11, Al-Suwaij co-founded the American Islamic Congress to promote human rights and the exchange of ideas between Muslims and non-Muslims. The organization now has bureaus in Iraq, Egypt and Tunisia. She spoke with The Washington Examiner about a faith grounded in her upbringing, and flourishing in her work today. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?
Definitely. I am a Muslim. I appreciate not only the spiritual part of the faith, but also the principles and manners on which it is built. In Islam, we are taught to respect people of other faiths. We are to promote good will toward all human beings, and work to elevate our fellow human beings while spreading the word of peace and justice.
The events of the Arab Spring have inspired great hope, but the toughest work is ahead for countries like Egypt and Tunisia. What values need to rise to the top for the movement to succeed? What obstacles stand in the way?
It was incredible to watch those movements unfold — it was the fulfillment of an ideal. But the labor has just started in terms of how to emerge as a democratic system, and to respect all people, and improve their lives.
The values that need to rise are those of respecting everyone, of every background, and faith, and set of beliefs. We tend to forget those things in the midst of a revolution because we want everyone there to support the larger cause. But when it’s time to build, we tend to divide ourselves into different backgrounds again — ethnicity, religion, men, women — all of that. In the rebuilding of these new governments and societies, we need to include everyone.
Loyalty to the country — that’s the most important thing. People should fight other divisions wherever they happen.
You’ve been a proponent of and a participant in many interfaith dialogues here and in the Middle East. That term “interfaith” often falls prey to criticism that it’s no-faith dialogue. Can you participate in interfaith dialogue and still believe that your faith is right?
Faith is a very personal thing. We believe what we believe for so many reasons, whether we were born into it, or adopted it later in life. I believe that when you have people from multiple faiths, the most important thing is to look to them first as human beings, and respect what they believe because this is something personal over which you have no control.
We all believe our faith is the best one, and the right one. But the most important thing is what kind of good will do you bring to your fellow human beings? That’s what’s going to be judged. Only God knows what’s truly right and wrong.
The inequality of women — by Western standards — remains a major sticking point for many non-Muslims trying to come to grips with accepting the faith. To what extent do Arab attitudes need to change? Or is there an extent to which women’s liberation in the West has gone too far?
There’s sometimes an idea in the West that “this is the culture of Islam and we have to respect that” — violations of human rights, the marginalization of women, especially when it comes to economic and religious empowerment. But I don’t think any culture should support that, and no religion should support that.
Some people want to say, “Leave them alone — this is their issue to deal with.” No. These women need to be helped. Many are highly educated, they have great experiences, and yet they’re pushed aside. Half a democracy is not a democracy. Men and women need to learn it together.
At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?
I believe that whatever good you can do in the world, that good will come back to you. As much as you give, you will be very rewarded, and you will gain it back.
– Leah Fabel
