This is wrong.

Prophet Muhammad novel scrapped

Plans to release a novel about Prophet Muhammad’s child bride A’isha have been scrapped by US publishers Random House over fears it could spark violence.

Violence? From Islam? But they told me it’s a religion of peace!

Random House is wrong to pull the project just because they assume a small number of violent Muslims will be offended. Yes, they may, but you have to give them the right of reply. They made an awful fuss over the Muhammad cartoons, but maybe —just maybe — they’ll react differently this time. And anyway, people need to realise that we live in a marketplace of ideas, and even their wonderful precious beliefs aren’t immune to some tough scrutiny now and again.

I guess it’s pretty rich coming from me, since I wouldn’t be the one targeted for violence. But I could be. Having my face on this blog and criticising religion like I do could make me a target some day. Any of us could be, just for living in a secular society. That’s why it’s vital to confront violent religious extremism head on, instead of tiptoeing around it hoping it will go away.

Let the adherents of Islam step up and show that they’re a peaceful religion, as they claim. Or let us see the reverse.