The bloody attacks here do not reflect primordial hatreds. They reflect the manipulation of identity for political gain.… Read the rest

At some point we will have reached a level at which violence becomes an end in itself and can no longer be stopped.… Read the rest

Proposed restrictions on ‘incitement to religious hatred’ and ‘defamation of religion’ show up around the globe.… Read the rest

Signatories include Philip Pullman, Ricky Gervais, Richard Dawkins, Nick Hytner. … Read the rest

Level of attention, an aspect of conscious awareness, plays an important role in boredom.… Read the rest

Pakistan’s national identity is based on not being Hindu – a thin reed on which to hang a unified state.… Read the rest

Cheney has wanted to restore the imperial presidency for three decades.… Read the rest

The Canadian Islamic Congress has launched two human rights complaints against Maclean’s. … Read the rest

‘Islamic studies must be taken seriously. Politicians, university administrators, faculty and students must say so.’… Read the rest

Bunglawala says the government wants Muslim women to act as spies.… Read the rest

Vatican calls for ‘perpetual adoration’ of eucharist to atone for sex abuse.… Read the rest

She photographed gay men wearing masks of the prophet; her work was removed from the Hague museum.… Read the rest

16 of the 25 UK seminaries, producing 80% of graduates, are Deobandi.… Read the rest

Musharraf Hussain gives withering assessment of training in many of Britain’s 26 Islamic seminaries. … Read the rest

First we needed to combat the oppression of minority males; then there would be time for luxuries like feminism.… Read the rest

Scientists don’t, and shouldn’t, jettison a theory as soon as a disconfirming datum comes in.… Read the rest

We should have seen many heads of state, to make the funeral a global demonstration for democracy and peace.… Read the rest

A two-minute call three times a day. Ibrahim Mogra of the MCB says most residents get used to it.… Read the rest