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.
Tariq RamadanWe cannot have a free market since it does not really set us free. It's free for interest, speculation and consumerism to create false needs.
Tariq RamadanIf there is a smoke, there is a fire, the saying goes, That is quite true, but one should find what the fire is, and who lit it.
Tariq RamadanSaying that Islam is in heart, is similar to giving back the exam's paper completely white and saying : knowledge is in brain.
Tariq Ramadan