A liberal Muslim acquaintance of mine recently posed the question of how we are going to be able to nullify some of the more toxic beliefs of Islam and make the world peaceful for all. Here is my reply.

When the renowned Islamist preacher Dr Zakir Naik visited the Maldives this week his audience of over 11000 was the largest ever assembled in that island state for a religious lecture. What Dr Naik may not have anticipated, however, was the earthquake that erupted at the end of his talk. A young Maldavian, Mohammed Nazim, asked Dr Naik how Islam viewed a man like him, who had learned all about Islam, had read many books, but was unable to believe? He now knows the answer.

Leo Igwe, IHEU’s representative for West Africa, spoke about Freedom of Conscience and Religious Persecution in Africa at the 47th session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights meeting in Bajul, the Gambia, on 13 May 2010. Below is his statement in full:

On behalf of the General Assembly of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, gathered in Paris July 7th and 8th 2005, we utterly condemn the terrorist atrocities committed in London on July 7th. Our condolences go to the families, relatives and friends of the victims of these horrible acts.

We are encouraged to learn that the leaders of all major religions have denounced these attacks. The IHEU deplores the use of religious belief to justify violence and utterly condemns those who preach violence in the name of religion.

Honorable Prime Minister

The rights of Muslim Women

UNDER the title of 'A Declaration of the Rights of Women in Islamic Societies' a group of born Muslims, primarily from Iran and South Asia, have put their very modern views on the record. The statement originally appeared in Free Inquiry, Fall, 1997, pp. 28-29.

Whereas children's rights have gained official recognition ever since 1990 when the United Nations hosted the World Summit on Children where 71 countries adopted goals to improve children's lives by 2000;

Whereas the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 187 nations, making it the most widely accepted human rights treaty ever;

The following resolution was rescinded by the IHEU General Assembly on 8 June 2008 and is therefore no longer in effect.

The International Humanist & Ethical Union, assembled in Berlin 23-26th July, 1993, wish to express their grave concern about the growth of destructive cults and sects throughout the world.

The International Humanist & Ethical Union condemns the new Common Syllabus for Religious Education in Northern Ireland, which comes into effect in September, 1993.

This Syllabus should be condemned because:

1. It is exclusive. The only religion studied in the compulsory core is Christianity. This is offensive to Muslims, Hindus, Jews and members of other faiths, as well as the 12% who, according to a recent poll, declare that they have no religion. It is against the interest of the children, who have a right to a broad education and the opportunity to learn understanding and tolerance towards those of differing beliefs.

The International Humanist & Ethical Union

* Being of the opinion that all people should have the freedom to choose their own lifestyle and - regardless of their sexual orientation - are fundamentally equal and have equal rights:

* Being of the opinion that this right of individual self-determination and equality form the basis of democracy and should be defended against all forms of prejudice: