Culture constitutes an essential element of social and political liberation. As people rise up across the Middle East and North Africa, the diversity of their cultures is not only the means but also the ultimate goal of their liberation and their freedom.

In Ramadan, you should eat less and think more.

Now no one can deny the fact that whatever is the state of the affairs in the country, you did not have the army controlling the country and you have a pluralistic society anyway.

Feeling sympathy and searching for explanations isn't the same as believing that the violence is justified.

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.

Do not respond to attacks with attacks. Respond with Mercy & Respect

There is the philosophy embedded in the culture we are living. It is quite clear for example that Arabs have a different culture than Malaysians.