Irshad Manji Quotes

Tolerance is held to be a condition of mind which is encouraged by, and is necessary for, civilization.

All the lessons of psychiatry, psychology, social work, indeed culture, have taught us over the last hundred years that it is the acceptance of differences, not the search for similarities which enables people to relate to each other in their personal or family lives.

To help keep diversity a wellspring of strength and make America a better place for all, I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own.

Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures. They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.

I believe in diversity in thought, in culture, and all sort of things.

I want our students to be so accustomed to children of other cultures that the words 'diversity' and 'tolerance' won't be in their vocabulary. They won't need them - they'll live it.

In Europe, the big word is tolerance. You tolerate everything.

Toleration is good for all, or it is good for none.

Assimilation was never the goal of the diverse ethnic groups in America. Inclusion without discomfort is now, and ever will be, the goal.

Tolerance is common sense in a pluralistic society.

That differences of race, color, and creed are natural, and that diverse groups, institutions, and ideas are stimulating factors in the development of man; That to promote harmony in diversity is a responsible task of religion and statesmanship; That since no individual can express the whole truth, it is essential to treat with understanding and good will those whose views differ from our own; That by the testimony of history intolerance is the door to violence, brutality and dictatorship; and That the realization of human interdependence and solidarity is the best guard of civilization.

I've been in enough positions to respect people with different views.

I was really able to integrate into a diverse school and learn to get along with all different types of people.

I want people to be more accepting.

It is through accepting other people in our own countries that we shall come to respect our neighbours and be respected in our turn.

You don't need to push your beliefs onto other people!

I am committed to examining my feelings and will recognize, appreciate and respect the differences among people in our society.

What I loved the most about Oakland was that all of my neighbors came in as many colors, ideas, and religions as there are people on the planet. How lucky I was to know so many people that were so different and yet so much alike!

I remember while I was at school some of my Muslim friends talked about a handful of people spoiling things in every culture. Hatred or hurt or pain isn't specific to a religion. I think it's a matter of acceptance. The one thing the world has to accept is everybody is different. What is normal to us is different and unusual to somebody else.

The value of tolerance is central to living in today's world - especially in diverse places like the Bronx.

Different people have different opinions, and it's okay to respect all of them.

Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.

In our interconnected world, we must learn to feel enlarged, not threatened, by difference - that is what I have argued.

The great thing is that whether we have faith or not, we are by and large very tolerant of people, whatever their particular view.

Tolerance, like any aspect of peace, is forever a work in progress, never completed, and, if we're as intelligent as we like to think we are, never abandoned.