As a self-proclaimed secularist, I oppose all impositions of religious-institutions. But I also resent the attitude of superiority that many Western, and even some
Arab, secular liberals have adopted towards conservative Muslims.

Hijab is not the litmus test for liberalism – let alone democracy.
Social and religious imposition of hijab on women is a violation of their personal choice and liberty. But banning hijab, even if women wear it by choice, is another form of violation and repression.

It is especially abhorrent when some Western and Arab liberals raise hell about the hijab while spontaneously endorsing repression and human rights violations of so-called secular governments.

It is ironic that some Turks do not question the way the Kurds have been treated and the questionable role of the domination of the military in a democratic society, while they fiercely protesting the lifting of the ban on the hijab.

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The Current Discussion: With Castro gone, will Cuba become America's 51st state?

The assumption that with Fidel Castro gone Cuba could become America's 51st state is in itself a vindication of the Cuban leader's position towards Washington.

The U.S. has never accepted Cuba an independent entity – yet it has also never looked at it as part of its sovereignty. In America’s view, it’s nothing more than a tiny island that has rejected its “subservient place” as dictated by the tyranny of geography. Pre-revolutionary Cuba was never respected in the least as a country of vibrant people with aspirations, hopes and dreams of their own. Post-revolutionary Cuba was subjected to hostility, suffocation, constant intimidation and even aggression by its northern powerful neighbor.

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