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This book is a review of essays exploring issues of religious sensitivity, freedom of speech, stand-off between Islam and liberal multi-cultural European society. The book uses essays by Talat Asad professor of Anthropology and Saba Mahmood associate professor of Anthropology with commentary by Judith Butler professor of Rhetoric and Wendy Brown professor of Political Science. The book is an exploration of freedom of speech expressed in satirical cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad versus reaction of Muslim minority in Europe and disproportionate global reaction with violence representing Fundamental Islam. Freedom of speech is guaranteed in liberal secular European society while blasphemy by definition limits free speech. Talat Asad opines that voting citizens lose their individuality and surrender control to bureaucratic rule. Religion depends on a transcendental power which is contrary to Secularism. Secularism rejects such power by affirming human independence. In Islam strong personal conviction is a matter between Allah and individual. This passionate relationship makes it impossible for Muslims to remain silent when faced with Blasphemy. To a devout Muslim Blasphemy disrupts a personal relationship with God.
Saba Mahmood points to increased importance of the concepts of religion and Secular thought in politics and modern State. Secularism is based on separation of State and religion in a manner allowing modern sensibility and governance. Controversy resulting from banning of the veil in 2004 and publication of Danish Cartoons in 2005 and 2008 with entrance of violence represented Islamic Extremism. One of the two opinions requires State action in the form of clear certain judgment rather than critical rethinking of secularism. If State does not defend secular values and lifestyles Islamic Extremism will take over liberal freedom and institutions with time. Actions such as suicide bombers, angry mobs burning books, fatwas against writers are against a secular w