We must delve deep into history the better to engage a true dialogue of civilisations. Fear of the present can impose upon the past its own biased vision.

The message of Islam asks you to be intellectually, spiritually, socially, and politically independent

If you look at how great artists of the past, like Beethoven, for example dealt with art and morality, you see that there was torture and pain in their work, but there was also dignity in the way that was dealt with. So I don't buy this contemporary notion that the only way to be artistic is to be arrogant, offensive or immoral.

Many times I have asked Muslim women not to nurture the victim mentality. stand up for your rights

The problem, once again, as in all sciences is the attitude of the mind that is dealing with whatever field. The problem is not philosophy but the lack of intellectual humility. It is when reason becomes arrogant that we lose track. But intellectual humility with science: this is spirituality - this is the way we are with God. So we should not be scared and we must reconcile ourselves.

The process of reclaiming the self is one of reconciliation with meaning.

What I'm advocating is an intellectual revolution - it's a different mindset concerning the ethical benchmarks by which we live.