Media, Muslim Women & the Sacred Work of Peace with Daisy Khan

In this episode of Provoking Peace, we sit down with Dr. Daisy Khan—founder of WISE (Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality), global interfaith leader, and author of 30 Rights of Muslim Women—for a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation about media narratives, faith, gender justice, and the urgent work of peacebuilding in divided times.

Daisy reflects on how 40 years of negative media imagery—from televised violence under the Taliban to the absence of Muslim voices during coverage of ISIS—have profoundly shaped public perception of Muslims, particularly Muslim women. She explains how Orientalism and politically expedient framing have positioned Muslims as a permanent national security threat, enabling war, dehumanization, and the erosion of press independence.

The conversation explores how Muslim women are persistently portrayed as oppressed despite historical and contemporary evidence to the contrary. Daisy points to Islamic scripture granting women rights to education, inheritance, property, and leadership as early as the 7th century—and highlights the civic, professional, and political leadership of Muslim women today in the United States.

Daisy also discusses why she wrote 30 Rights of Muslim Women: as a faith-based resource for Muslim women reclaiming their rights, and as a myth-busting reference for broader audiences. Drawing on shared narratives across Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, she emphasizes that women have always been central spiritual actors—co-stewards of prophetic missions rather than sidelined figures.

Throughout the episode, Daisy returns to the idea that peace is not passive. It is sacred, difficult, and urgent work. From Islamophobia trainings in corporate spaces to interfaith dialogue rooted in active listening, she calls for honest conversations that humanize rather than divide. Peace, she argues, begins when we refuse fear-based narratives and commit to understanding one another without demanding agreement.

Key Takeaways:

Media framing has played a central role in shaping anti-Muslim bigotry, particularly through decades of unbalanced and dehumanizing imagery.
Muslim women’s rights are deeply rooted in Islamic scripture, including rights to education, inheritance, property, and leadership.
Political agendas often drive media narratives, enabling war, fear, and the demonization of entire communities.
Women have always played central spiritual and leadership roles in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—history has simply been selectively told.
30 Rights of Muslim Women serves both as a faith-based reference for Muslim women and an educational tool for non-Muslims.
Religion is frequently weaponized for political ends, affecting women’s rights across cultures and faiths.
Peacebuilding requires honest dialogue, active listening, and the courage to engage across differences.
Peace is sacred work rooted in urgency, service, and responsibility to one’s community and humanity.
About the Guest

Dr. Daisy Khan is a globally recognized interfaith leader, activist, and founder of WISE (Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality). Her work focuses on women’s rights within Islam, countering extremism, and building bridges across faiths. She is the author of 30 Rights of Muslim Women, a comprehensive reference on women’s rights grounded in Islamic theology and history.

Notable Quotes:
“Forty years of negative imaging has consequences. When you only show one story, people believe that’s the truth.”

“Women were never a sideshow in our faith traditions—they were co-stewards of the prophetic mission.”

“We don’t need agreement to have dialogue. We need honesty, listening, and courage.”

Resources Mentioned:

Book:
30 Rights of Muslim Women by Daisy Khan - https://www.amazon.com/30-Rights-Musl...

Organizations / Initiatives Referenced:

WISE (Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality) - https://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/
Interfaith dialogue and Islamophobia education initiatives (corporate and community-based) - https://ycdiversity.org/resources/int...