I was born in a middle class Muslim family, in a small town called Myonenningh in a northern part of Bangladesh in 1962. My father is a qualified physician; my mother is a housewife. I have two elder brothers and one younger sister. All of them received a liberal education in schools and colleges.

Those religions that are oppressive to women are also against democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.

Religion is against women's rights and women's freedom. In all societies women are oppressed by all religions.

The fundamentalists are increasing. People, afraid to oppose those fundamentalists, shut their mouths. It is really very difficult to make people move against a sensitive issue like religion, which is the source of fundamentalism.

I am an atheist. I do not believe in prayers, I believe in work. And my work is that of an author. My pen is my weapon.

When Bangladesh refused to renew my passport, I used U.N. travel documents. You can't disown your country.

Every religion oppresses women. I talk about the Koran because I know this book best. It allows for torture and other mistreatment, especially for women. And I despise the Sharia laws. They cannot be changed. They must be thrown out, abolished.