Author Taslima Nasreen, who is infamous for making controversial comments, has spurred a row by alleging imams in Bangladesh rape kids in mosques.
She tweeted: “Imams and Madrasa lecturers have been raping kids in mosques and madrasas in Bangladesh on a regular basis. They rape within the title of Allah. They know Allah is merciful so Allah will forgive their sins provided that they pray 5 instances a day.”
Owing to her open stance and controversial remarks, “fatwas” have been issued against her many times.
The Bangladeshi feminist author was forced out of her country because of her controversial writings, which many Muslims felt discredited Islam.
The continuous assassination threats didn’t stop the author from writing against Islamic philosophy. She lived in the US and Europe for many years. Between 2004 and 2007, Taslima lived in Kolkata. However, since 2011 she has been residing in Delhi.
On many occasions, the author has expressed her desire for permanent Indian citizenship. She has been living in the country since 2004 after an Indian visa was granted to her . Expressing her love for India, she said: “I would love to be in India; I feel at home here.”
The exiled Bangladeshi author is a strong advocate for women’s rights, freedom of thought and human rights.
Apart from being a writer, Taslima is also a physician, having studied medicine in her early years in Bangladesh.
In an earlier discussion with Reader’s Digest, she said: “In 1993, they issued a fatwa against me. They put a price on my head; and instead of supporting me, the Bangladeshi government took action against me. The government filed a case against me on the grounds of hurting religious sentiments. I had to go into hiding, and, ultimately, I was forced out of my country.
“Twenty-four years ago my life in exile started. Because I talked about women who are oppressed because of religion, culture, customs and traditions. Had I talked against the culture of misogyny, it might have been okay, but the problem starts when I talk against religion, especially Islam.”
She added: “When I criticise Hinduism, or Christianity, Judaism, or Buddhism, they don’t issue decrees against me but when I’m critical of Islam, then the fundamentalists start issuing fatwas. Hundreds and thousands of fanatics took to the street demanding my execution by hanging. And what I found astounded me: Islam had been exempted from critical scrutiny that applied to other religions.”
She believes freedom of expression is very important for democracy and without the freedom of offending, freedom of expression cannot exist.
