The journey to understanding one’s faith and purpose can be a winding path, filled with moments of doubt, discovery, and profound connection. For many, cultural misconceptions and societal pressures create barriers to embracing their spiritual identity, particularly for Muslim women navigating their roles in a complex world. Yet, within the heart of Islam lies a timeless message of empowerment, equality, and peace, waiting to be rediscovered and shared.
In this episode of The Jamali Bridge Podcast, host Eram Saeed sits down with Daisy Khan, a trailblazing advocate for Muslim women’s rights and interfaith dialogue, whose work has transformed lives for over 25 years. Alongside co-host Chris Attwood, they explore Daisy’s remarkable journey from questioning her faith to becoming a global voice for change, unpacking the beauty of Islam’s egalitarian principles and her courageous efforts to challenge oppression, including her direct engagement with the Taliban. Through her books, including 30 Rights of Muslim Women, Daisy offers a powerful lens into the spiritual and practical tools that uplift women and bridge divides.
Listeners will walk away with a deeper appreciation for Islam’s core values, practical ways to foster allyship and cultural exchange, and inspiration to uncover their own purpose. Whether you’re seeking to understand Islam better, support Muslim women, or find your own path to spiritual fulfillment, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and actionable steps to create a more connected and compassionate world.
Rediscovering Faith Through Inner Reflection
Daisy Khan’s early life in Kashmir immersed her in a vibrant interfaith environment, surrounded by Hindu teachers, Sikh friends, and Buddhist influences, fostering a natural appreciation for coexistence. Yet, global events like the Iranian revolution and the Salman Rushdie fatwa shook her faith, leaving her feeling fragmented and distant from Islam. Her search for God led her through temples, mosques, and ashrams, echoing Rumi’s poem about finding God within the heart. A childhood memory of her grandfather pointing to a rose and saying, “God is here,” crystallized this truth, aligning with the Quranic verse that God is closer than the jugular vein. This inward journey transformed her perspective, anchoring her in a universal divine presence.
Embracing a Divine Purpose as God’s Steward
Under the guidance of her mentor, Sheik Lex Hixon, Daisy explored the Quran and discovered the concept of humans as God’s Khalifa (stewards), entrusted with a divine responsibility. This revelation reframed her identity from a corporate career woman to a conduit for God’s work. It prompted her to leave a high-powered job to serve her community, realizing that her skills were needed more there than in corporate America. Eram’s parallel experience, mentored by Chris, highlights how universal principles of purpose transcend faith traditions, encouraging listeners to see themselves as agents of divine change.
Dispelling Misconceptions About Islam
Daisy tackles pervasive myths that paint Islam as inherently violent or oppressive, particularly the notion that Muslims are commanded to “kill infidels.” She explains that such interpretations stem from extremists cherry-picking Quranic verses out of their wartime context, distorting their meaning for political gain. Her book WISE Up delves into how religion is weaponized across faiths, not just Islam. Daisy emphasizes that Islam’s core is peace through submission to God’s will, a truth reflected in the lives of millions of Muslims who live harmoniously. This segment challenges listeners to look beyond media narratives to the faith’s foundational principles.
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Empowering Muslim Women Through Faith-Based Advocacy
Daisy’s faith is alive, and she puts her beliefs to action.
Daisy’s History of Women’s Agency
A pivotal moment came when an elderly woman asked Daisy, “What are you doing about women in Afghanistan?” This question, coupled with her father’s metaphor of boxing gloves as a symbol of empowerment, spurred Daisy to action. She founded the Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE), grounding her advocacy in Islam’s egalitarian roots. The Prophet Muhammad’s support for women, as a father of four daughters and a defender of their rights, serves as a model.
Modern Tools for Empowerment
Daisy’s book 30 Rights of Muslim Women is a comprehensive guide, detailing rights like property ownership and divorce, rooted in Quranic evidence. It equips women to challenge patriarchal distortions, such as the false notion that a husband is a “demi-god.” A key Quranic verse (33:35) affirms spiritual and moral equality, revealed in response to women’s complaints to the Prophet, showcasing God’s direct engagement with women’s concerns.
Engaging Oppressors with Faith and Cultural Fluency
Daisy’s bold trip to Afghanistan post-pullout exemplifies strategic engagement. Facing the Taliban directly, she used Quranic references and spoke in Urdu, connecting as a sister rather than a critic. This approach softened their demeanor, unlike secular delegations who failed to resonate. A Christian reverend and a Jewish woman in her delegation also used faith-based arguments, highlighting the universal power of speaking to shared values. This experience underscores the importance of cultural and religious fluency in dialogue.
Fostering Allyship and Cultural Connection
Empowerment doesn’t end with words — it is through action that we elevate our fellows and become allies.
Practical Steps for Non-Muslims
Daisy offers actionable ways to combat Islamophobia and build bridges:
- Befriend a Muslim: Share a meal or coffee to experience their hospitality and find common ground.
- Attend an Iftar: Join a Ramadan fast-breaking meal to witness communal rituals and charity.
- Join Interfaith Programs: Participate in dialogue groups or book clubs to deepen understanding.
The Power of Personal Connection
These actions enrich lives and dismantle prejudice. Daisy notes that Muslims are known for their open-door hospitality, making such connections mutually rewarding. Eram and Chris’s friendship illustrates how personal bonds reveal the truth of Islam, countering stereotypes through lived experience.
Finding Resilience in Divine Purpose
When Eram asks how to stay steadfast amid resistance to women’s empowerment, Daisy points to Quran 33:35, which promises rewards for perseverance. This verse, revealed after women voiced concerns to the Prophet, validates their agency and God’s compassion. Daisy encourages women to anchor themselves in their divine purpose, whether as mothers, scientists, or advocates, to overcome patriarchal pushback. This perspective transforms pain into a call to action, reinforcing resilience through faith.
Learning from the Prophet’s Strategic Peacebuilding
Daisy highlights the Prophet Muhammad’s strategic approach to peace, exemplified by his 10-year peace treaty that strengthened his community without bloodshed. His practice of studying opponents and acting intentionally offers lessons for today’s divided world. By tying one’s “camel” (taking practical steps) before trusting in God, as the Prophet advised, individuals can address conflicts thoughtfully. This approach encourages proactive engagement over passive reliance on divine intervention.
Transforming the World Through Personal Change
Daisy concludes with a Quranic principle: a community changes only when individuals transform themselves. Her work, fueled by God’s grace, feels effortless because it aligns with a higher purpose. Chris and Eram echo this, emphasizing how small acts of kindness—reading a book, joining a protest, or mentoring others—create ripples of change. By studying the Prophet’s life, individuals can emulate his compassion and wisdom, contributing to a more just and connected world.
Dr. Daisy Khan’s Journey
Daisy Khan’s journey from spiritual doubt to global advocate for Muslim women’s rights is a story of resilience, faith, and fearless action. Born in Kashmir, she grew up in a vibrant interfaith world, surrounded by Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist influences, which shaped her early sense of harmony. Yet, as a young woman in America, events like the Iranian revolution and the Salman Rushdie fatwa fractured her connection to Islam, leaving her feeling lost. Searching for God, she wandered through temples, mosques, and ashrams, ultimately finding divine presence within her heart, inspired by Rumi and her grandfather’s wisdom that “God is in everything.”
This awakening faced challenges. As a career-driven architect in Manhattan, Daisy grappled with reconciling her peaceful upbringing with media portrayals of Islam. A pivotal question from an elderly woman—“What are you doing about women in Afghanistan?”—ignited her purpose. Leaving corporate America, she founded the Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE), despite warnings to avoid labeling it “Islamic.” Her faith-based approach, rooted in the Quran’s egalitarian principles, empowered her to challenge patriarchal distortions and advocate for women’s rights.
Today, Daisy is a global voice, authoring books like 30 Rights of Muslim Women and engaging directly with the Taliban to advocate for change. Her work bridges divides through interfaith dialogue and equips women with tools to claim their agency. From a fragmented seeker to a steward of God’s mission, Daisy’s story inspires us to embrace our purpose and build a more just world.
Expert Advice & Powerful Quotes
- “And then I looked in my heart, and there he was.”
- “I realized that I wasn’t just Daisy Khan… I was entrusted with a role to play, my whole orientation changed.”
- “There’s no justification, no verse in the Quran that says, Go kill, kill the infidel that's just doesn't exist.”
- “Surely for believing men and women, believing devout men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember God often, for all of them, God has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”
- “Befriend a Muslim… you will be treated to such hospitality. It doesn’t matter what part of the world the Muslim comes from.”
Step Toward Understanding and Empowerment
This conversation with Daisy Khan has illuminated a path to understanding Islam’s true essence, empowering Muslim women, and fostering interfaith connection. If Daisy’s story or Eram’s rediscovery of faith resonates with you, here are ways to keep the momentum going:
- Listen to the Full Episode – Revisit the entire discussion to dive deeper into Daisy’s insights, from her faith-based advocacy with the Taliban to the empowering Quranic verse (33:35) affirming women’s spiritual equality.
- Reflect on Your Purpose – Pause and consider what divine role you’re called to play. Inspired by Daisy’s realization as God’s Khalifa (steward), journal about a moment when you felt aligned with a higher purpose. What small action can you take to live it out today?
- Join the Conversation – Visit Jamali.love for more episodes fostering interfaith dialogue and self-discovery. Share your reflections or join a local interfaith group to continue building bridges.
Your journey toward understanding, empowerment, and connection starts with one intentional step. Embrace the wisdom shared, act today, and contribute to a more compassionate world.
