By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi : Several key Muslim organizations have strongly condemned the Central government’s decision to extend controversial author Taslima Nasreen’s visa for another six months. Now she can stay in the country legally until August 17, 2008. The term of her present visa will expire on February 17.
Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, described the decision as a slap on those believing in religion and communal harmony. Asghar Ali Imam Mahdi Salafi, general secretary of Markazi Jamait Ahle Hadees Hind, also condemned the decision and said that there should be limit to freedom of expression.
Coming down heavily on the government’s decision, Mufti Mohammad Mukarram Ahmad, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Fatehpuri Masjid, said the decision has hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Muslims. He questioned the reason for giving so much importance to a person who uses derogatory words for Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
The government, however, has rejected a proposal to present her Simon de Beauire award during French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s India visit. Her Bangladeshi passport has already been cancelled and now she possesses European Union’s passport issued by Sweden. After strong protests and demonstrations in Kolkata, West Bengal in November 2007, she has been kept at some undisclosed location.