A powerful bloc of 57 Islamic states is again pushing for the UN to make it a criminal offense to criticise or 'defame' Islam. In a new resolution circulated at a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 11, a paper entitled "Combating Defamation of Religions" was circulated ahead of the Council's next meeting on March 26-27, when the resolution will be voted on. (source)
Read the article I wrote on this issue.
After releasing his first book, The End Of Faith, Sam Harris received a lot of angry letters from Christians. He responded to all of them with this book.
As a Muslim, Ayan Hirsi Ali provides us with an objective and intelligent insight and analysis of Islam, Muslims and most importantly, the treatment of, and attitudes towards, Muslim women and their place in their families and societies. Coming from a Muslim who is able to see the world through Muslim and 'Western' eyes, this work is very valuable for all of us.
Sam Harris points out the absurdity of religious beliefs and their ability to make human beings commit attrocities (Witch Hunts, The Inquisition and The Holocaust) to each other. He points out the folly of 'religious moderation' as breeding grounds for religious extremism. Then he tackles terrorism: What happens when men with old-age ideologies get their hands on modern-day weapons that can wipe out millions of people?
This book was published in 2004. At a time when not many dared to challenge the value of entrenched religious beliefs and ideas, Sam Harris had the strength and courage to strongly do so.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali writes about the details of her life growing up in Somalia, as a Muslim. Then, she escapes to Europe to avoid a pre-arranged marriage. There, she details how her mind transformed from a Muslim who believed in Islam to an atheist. Since the murder of Theo Van Gogh, she began living her life under cover. She continues to speak out for the rights of women in the Islamic world.
Before reading this book, I always felt that there was something not quite right about religious explanations as to how human beings, animals, plants and all life came to being, regardless of whether one takes The Book of Genesis literally or metaphorically.
Richard Dawkins opened my eyes to a rich, yet simple and satisfying explanation to how life evolved from its simplest forms. As a non-scientist, this was a good introduction for me to be interested in genetics and biology. The explanations here make it easy for one to understand evolution. This book is a wonderful and surprising eye-opener.