All entries by this author

Gina Khan

Feb 17th, 2007 12:17 pm | By

You can keep your Tariq Ramadan. I’d much rather hear from Gina Khan.

Gina Khan is a very brave woman. Born in Birmingham 38 years ago to Pakistani parents, she has run away from an arranged marriage, dressed herself in jeans and dared to speak out against the increasing radicalisation of her community…The trouble is, says Khan, that many of the Pakistanis who have come to Birmingham are all too easily swayed. “Most of them are ignorant, uneducated, illiterate people from rural areas. It is very easy for them to be brainwashed, very easy. These are people who have been taught from the beginning that our religion is everything, it is the right way. You are going to

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Ben Goldacre on Patrick Holford *

Feb 17th, 2007 | Filed by

‘Dealing with Holford is like playing Bad Science Bingo.’… Read the rest



Rebecca Weisser Reviews Nick Cohen *

Feb 17th, 2007 | Filed by

His ambition is to show how the Left of the 20th century ended up supporting the far Right of the 21st.… Read the rest



David Aaronovitch Reviews Nick Cohen *

Feb 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Exploration of a perverse phenomenon, in which pacifism turned into a tolerance of Nazism.… Read the rest



Bomb Kills Polio Immunization Official in Pakistan *

Feb 17th, 2007 | Filed by

He was returning from a meeting of tribal elders to persuade them to end opposition to immunization.… Read the rest



Supporters Join Gina Khan *

Feb 17th, 2007 | Filed by

‘It’s not right that the spokesman from the Central Mosque should be able to talk for us all.’… Read the rest



‘Voice’ of the Muslim Community is Always Male *

Feb 17th, 2007 | Filed by

Muslim society, Gina Khan says, is based on male domination and the oppression of women. … Read the rest



Let’s build an international secular movement!

Feb 17th, 2007 | By Azar Majedi

I am very pleased to be part of this movement. Coming from the Middle East, living under the Islamic Republic in Iran, one of the most brutal regimes of the 20th century, I feel very passionate about the aims of this movement. As a first hand victim of political Islam, as a woman who has lived under the rule of Islam, I have experienced first hand the brutalism and suppression of an Islamic regime and political Islam. As a left activist fighting for freedom and equality I experienced this brutal regime and this reactionary political force, loosing many friends and comrades.

I have devoted my life to fight for a better world, a free and egalitarian society, where there exists … Read the rest



Kansas Tweaks Science Standards *

Feb 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Kansas has repealed public school science guidelines questioning the theory of evolution.… Read the rest



Kansas Gets a Clue, Texas Drops It *

Feb 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Kansas Board of Education accepts the teaching of evolution, but a Texas Rep sends a funny memo.… Read the rest



Congress Considers Armenian Genocide Bill *

Feb 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Turkey rejects the genocide label, argues that 300,000 Armenians and as many Turks died in civil strife.… Read the rest



Brian Opera Awakes Blasphemy Worries *

Feb 16th, 2007 | Filed by

‘It has got to be offensive to anyone who values music as means of expressing great ideas.’… Read the rest



Oddities of Texas Legislature *

Feb 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Evolution is the Pharisee Religion; Einstein and Sagan were Kabbalists; Hollywood did it.… Read the rest



Kenyan Principal Expels Uncircumcised Boys *

Feb 16th, 2007 | Filed by

Taboos, bullying, tradition, public institutions, parents, expense.… Read the rest



‘We must not forget the body’

Feb 16th, 2007 11:34 am | By

More Tariq Ramadan. Maybe a little more Buruma, too, although I made at least one reader very cross the last time I disagreed (somewhat) with Buruma. Anyway, mostly Ramadan.

Buruma notes that he says different things in different contexts, then talks to Scott Appleby, who tried to get Ramadan to Notre Dame.

He is accused of being Janus-faced. Well, of course he presents different faces to different audiences. He is trying to bridge a divide and bring together people of diverse backgrounds and worldviews. He considers the opening he finds in his audience. Ramadan is in that sense a politician.

Okay. Fair point. He is trying to bridge a divide; he is a politician. Okay; but then that … Read the rest



Forum Against Social Evils Burning Cards *

Feb 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Guys in baseball caps protest Western customs.… Read the rest



Kashmiri Group Resists Valentine’s Day *

Feb 15th, 2007 | Filed by

‘You have to understand that Western culture, including Valentine’s Day has no place in our society.’… Read the rest



Bal Patil on Hinduization in Gujarat *

Feb 15th, 2007 | Filed by

The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006 defines Buddhists and Jains as Hindus.… Read the rest



Suffer the Little Dollars to Come Unto Me *

Feb 15th, 2007 | Filed by

Pastor says reports of his financial dealings represent a misunderstanding of the prosperity gospel.… Read the rest



Cargo Cult Celebrates 50th Birthday *

Feb 15th, 2007 | Filed by

They hope one day to entice another delivery of cargo. … Read the rest