Kenan Malik has yet another brilliant essay on multiculturalism. He says: Part of the problem in discussions about multiculturalism is that the term has, in recent years, come to have two meanings that are all too rarely distinguished. The first is what I call the lived experience of diversity. The second is multiculturalism as a …
Monthly Archive: November 2012
Nov 27 2012
Bangladesh Genocide: What Human Rights, Anti-racist and Peace Organisations won’t tell you
Tonight, the Centre for Secular Space is hosting a conversation on the Bangladesh Genocide: What Human Rights, Anti-racist and Peace Organisations won’t tell you. Gita Sahgal, co-founder of the Centre for Secular Space talks to Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui (former Islamist, now Muslim reformer) and Asif Munier (pro-Jonmo 71, children of the Martyrs of the Liberation …
Nov 26 2012
I’ll be in Texas this weekend
I will be in Houston, Texas during 30 November – 2 December 2012 for a two-day symposium organised by the Institute of Humanist Studies entitled ‘Does theism have an impact on public policy and, if it does, what is it and how should humanists respond to this situation?’ held on the Rice University campus. My …
Nov 24 2012
Not one more execution
Don’t forget that today is the international day of protest against executions and for the release of political prisoners in Iran. Join this day of protest to bring attention to and stop the state-sponsored killings. Write protest letters, join actions and rallies in your city of residence, or carry out acts of solidarity… anything that …
Nov 23 2012
Atheists and Islam
Here’s an article published in the Economist on Atheists and Islam. Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain’s activist Nahla Mahmoud was interviewed on our behalf. Read the article here.
Nov 22 2012
Not anti-Semitism or Islamophobia
The Right-wing are in overdrive trying to prove how the children killed by Israeli forces in Gaza are fakes. Their crocodile tears for ‘Muslim’ women and children are only for when and if they are murdered by Islamists; then (and only then), are these part-time ‘champions of women’s rights’ outraged. But if they are killed …
Nov 20 2012
Doing the Taliban proud
The bad news is that a Pakistani court has sentenced 25 year old Hazrat Ali Shah to death for blaspheming against Mohammed and the Koran during a quarrel in his village in northern Pakistan in March 2011. Mother of five Asia Bibi also remains in prison whilst appealing her death sentence for ‘derogatory’ comments about …
Nov 19 2012
By all means, take a stand
On Sunday, whilst I was at the cinema with my seven year old, 9 children were killed by the Israeli government’s relentless attacks on Gaza; 90 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed since Wednesday. The thought of one child dead – one just like mine – leaves me insane with rage. And whilst human beings …
Nov 15 2012
24 November: International Day of Protest against tsunami of executions in Iran
In another tsunami of executions, the Islamic regime of Iran has executed 57 people in the last two weeks. On 11 November, we received news that 35 people had been executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashad, including a 21 year old and 4 Afghans (one of whom was a human rights campaigner). On 13 November, …
Nov 13 2012
Iran: two sides to the story
Jafar Panahi’s “This is Not a Film” provides an important glimpse into the extent and nature of the Islamic regime of Iran’s oppression and the injustices of Sharia law. His entire film-making career has been – in his own words – “constructed around the notion of restriction, limitation, confinement and boundaries”. Take any week in …
Nov 12 2012
End-Year Drinks with the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
Members and supporters are invited to join the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain for end-year drinks. Date: Tuesday 11 December 2012 Time: 18:30-20:00 Hours Location: Central London Entry: £10 per person; £7 for unwaged (including one drink and canapés). Special Guest Speaker: Philosopher A C Grayling on ‘Secularism as a Human Right’.
Nov 07 2012
Panahi’s This is Not a Film
I will be in Jersey from tomorrow where I will be speaking at the Amnesty International Jersey Human Rights Festival on the situation in Iran and free expression after the screening of Jafar Panahi’s film – ‘This is not a Film’. More details here. I won’t be blogging until Monday.
Nov 06 2012
One law for All – Passion For Freedom – Awards 2012
One Law for All’s 4th Passion for Freedom Art Festival opened on 3 November with a private viewing at Unit24 Gallery. Hundreds attended the viewing. The festival, which is addressing the issue of freedom, is showcasing the work of over 40 artists from 20 countries worldwide (including censored works shown in London for the very …
Nov 04 2012
Despite the Fear
Last night’s private viewing of One Law for All’s 4th Passion for Freedom Art Festival was absolutely brilliant. I spent most of the night on the couch in the back feeling ill but managed to give my speech. The art was fantastic – some shocking, others heart-wrenching or inspiring, and all of them thought-provoking. The …
Nov 02 2012
Where I’ll be this month
I’ll be at the following places this month: Tomorrow 3 November 2012, I’ll be attending and speaking at One Law for All’s Passion for Freedom Art Festival private view from 6.30-9.30pm. More details here. During 8-11 November 2012 I will be speaking at the Jersey Human Rights Festival on the human rights situation in Iran, censorship and Sharia law. More …
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