Islam has no problem with women, but Muslims do clearly appear to have serious problems with them

One does not always know how to express the sorrow of the soul. One does not always know how to silence the joy of the heart.

I opposed the Fatwa against Salman Rushdie. I read the book and took a critical distance. I did not think The Satanic Verses is a blasphemous book. I did not consider the book as being a great read, but as an intellectual I read, I assess, and I respond. I make a difference between true freedom of expression to which we owe a response and provocation, which we ignore.

Intellect is a part of a good faith. Intellect is the light, the heart is the direction.

It is only through the opposition of ideas that we can learn to be self-critical, to work towards intellectual humility.

We need to acknowledge that there is a real issue with how the Scriptures are being interpreted. Whenever I am told that terrorists are not Muslim, I systematically reply that they actually are, and they cannot be marginalised, the same way they are marginalising other Muslim people. Scriptures are quoted even though their interpretations are twisted. In the face of misinterpretation the only way out would be using another interpretation of the Scriptures.

I don't like what you`re doing, but I won't insult you. Why? Because who you are tomorrow may be better than who I am today