Standing before a meeting organized by the Dutch government in the Hague in early 2006, Ibn Warraq told the audience:
What we need now is an Age of
Enlightenment in the Islamic world, of the Islamic mind-set or worldview. Without critical examination of Islam, it will
remain unassailed in its dogmatic, fanatical, mediaeval fortress; ossified,
totalitarian and intolerant. It will continue to stifle thought, human rights,
individuality; originality and truth.
This new Enlightenment is already underway. On March 4-5, 2007, the first ever Secular Islam Summit will convene in St. Petersburg Florida. Delegates from Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and elsewhere will address secularist interpretations of Islam, the need for Koranic criticism, the state of freedom of the expression in Muslim societies, educational reform.