offence | Maryam Namazie

On Paris and Copenhagen: Islam and the “culture of offence”: missing the point

Posted by Maryam Namazie
On February 16, 2015
2 Comments
Charlie, Denmark, free expression, Islam, Islamism, offence, Paris

After the terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, dissent and criticism of religion is a life and death necessity. It has been–and remains–key for human progress. See the full article here. Dissent and criticism of religion has always been a crucial aspect of free expression. Historically, it has been intrinsically linked with anti-clericalism and the […]

Posted by Maryam Namazie
On February 12, 2015
0 Comments
Charlie Hebdo, free expression, Islam, Islamism, offence

First published in Open Democracy on 12 February 2015 In the age of ISIS, dissent and criticism of religion is a life and death necessity. It has been – and remains – key for human progress. Dissent and criticism of religion has always been a crucial aspect of free expression. Historically, it has been intrinsically linked […]

Charges of offence and Islamophobia are secular fatwas

Posted by Maryam Namazie
On January 28, 2012
35 Comments
Islamophobia, offence

Here is my speech at today’s Blasphemy Conference in London: There have been a number of recent attacks on free expression here in the UK. They include 17 year old Rhys Morgan being forced to remove a Jesus and Mo cartoon or face expulsion from his Sixth Form College and demands by the UCL Union […]

The right to offend is fundamental to free expression

Posted by Maryam Namazie
On January 25, 2012
17 Comments
offence

Here’s One Law for All’s statement in support of LSE ASH: One Law for All calls on the London School of Economics Student Union to respect and uphold the rights of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society (ASH), in particular its right to freedom of expression. Their accusation that the publication of a cartoon featuring […]

Posted by Maryam Namazie
On January 19, 2012
30 Comments
offence

Adam Walker, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association spokesman, says: ‘The principle is more important than who is being attacked – this time it is Muslims and Christians but in the future it could be atheists themselves’. But not causing offence is not a principle the last time I looked. If it were, they would be the […]