Author Taslima Nasrin, fleeing persecution in her home country Bangladesh and famous for her feminist views and criticism of Islam in particular and of religion in general, will be visiting the University of Luxembourg on Wednesday, May 4th.

Taslima Nasrin got a medical degree in 1984 at the age of 22 and worked in gynecology and anesthesiology until she was forced to quit her job by the government in 1993. She had published a number of poetry books and columns, causing Islamic fundamentalists to campaign against her for criticising Islamic oppression on women. Her documentary novel “Lajja” was banned by the government of Bangladesh, and Nasrin was physically attacked by Islamic fundamentalists who also set a price on her head.

She was forced to leave her country in 1994. She has since lived in Europe, India and North America, becoming a symbol of free speech and receiving numerous awards, such as the Sakharov Prize (EP) for Freedom of Thoughts, the Kurt Tucholsky Prize by the Swedish PEN, and the Unesco Prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. She regularly gives lectures on human and women’s rights, secularism and freedom of expression.

On May 4 ^th  2011, at 1.15 pm, the dean of the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education, Michel Margue, will welcome Taslima Nasrin, followed by a brief introduction of her biography by Serge Basso, director of the cultural centre ‘Kulturfabrik’. Tasmila Nasrin will then present her books and talk about her life and her work with students from the University. All speeches and talks will be in English.

• When?  Wednesday, 4 May from 1.15 pm
• Where?  Campus Walferdange, Building VIII, Audimax (Route de Diekirch, Walferdange)

Contact:  François Carbon