When religion turns into intolerance

Escape from the Fundamentalists' Furious Hatred

Bangladesh is a land of mixed culture, the product of people belonging to different religions. Moreover the country has a rich literary history. Taslima Nasreen took the right to write about the unequal treatment of men and women in her country. Due to the rising intolerance of the Islamic clergymen she has been forced into exile in Sweden:
"She has insulted our religion: she must die!"

Daniela Lomonaco, Turin -

Interview

Taslima Nasreen (32) is a gynaecologist. Next to that she works as a poet and a novelist. In her last novel entitled "The Shame", ("Lajja"), she shouts out against religious intolerance in general and the anachronistic violation of human rights particularly against women. For these claims she has been condemned to death by the Nazrul Islam mufti, the highest authority in Bangladesh, who pronounced a fatwa on her head of about $2500.

Mrs. Nasreen, how would you describe your society politically?

Bangladesh has a population of 130 million and most are fundamentalist, the rest of the population is Hindu. Fundamentalism has grown stronger since the movement receives money and arms from the richer and more developed countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. Democratic movements do exist in Bangladesh, but they have little financial means and no arms. What democratic governments should do is help democracy morally and support the human rights movement financially. They should also criticize fundamentalists when they transgress human rights.

How is the position of a woman considered in Bangladesh?

A woman is regarded as a slave, an inferior being, not a human being. Society does not accept a female child. Let me give one example: if a wife gives birth to a girl she is not accepted in her society. Moreover her husband may even be divorced if she doesn't give birth to a boy. A woman is allowed to study because this assures her family that she would contract a suitable marriage. But after the marriage a bride is her husband's slave. According to the Koran woman's heaven is to be like our Mother Earth which man should irrigate in order to make her fertile.

What kind of society do you dream of?

A society shouldn't be called Islamic or Christian. A society should be secular and multicultural. I believe in a modern Socialist society where people are equal.

How are you fighting?

I'm writing. I'm writing against bigotry and unbearable misreatment of women.

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