The West Is Duly Terrified.

Let Us Recognize That We Can No Longer Tolerate Violent Oppression Of Women In The Name Of Religion And Culture Any More Than We Would Tolerate Violent Oppression Espoused By Any Other Bully In The Name Of A Twisted Rationale.

It Was Friday, July 24, 1992, When I Stepped On The Train. Every Year I Think Of It. I See It As My Real Birthday: The Birth Of Me As A Person, Making Decisions About My Life On My Own. I Was Not Running Away From Islam, Or To Democracy. I Didn't Have Any Big Ideas Then. I Was Just A Young Girl And Wanted Some Way To Be Me; So I Bolted Into The Unknown.

I Wanted Secular, Non-muslim People To Stop Kidding Themselves That Islam Is Peace And Tolerance.

Muslim Leaders Should Ask Themselves What Exactly Their Relationship Is To A Political Movement That Encourages Young Men To Kill And Maim On Religious Grounds.

My Conscience Is Informed By Reason. It's Like Kant's Categorical Imperative: Behave To Others As You Would Wish They Behaved To You.