GQ: In the beginning of the book you talk about two sides of Islam, but you simplify your characterization rather quickly, saying its goal is “to conquer and enslave the earth,” and that Allah had “no problem with murder; in fact, he insisted on it.” We often hear President Obama, like George W. Bush before him, say that Islam isn’t our enemy, that it’s a religion of peace—that it’s violent extremists we’re in conflict with. Do you reject that?

MY: Absolutely, I do. That is blasphemy. That is a lack of knowledge. U.S. presidents say such things because of diplomacy, because Islam also exists in America, and they must respect people’s beliefs, respect the constitution. What I’m saying is the problem is there, in the Koran. That even if there’s a good side of Islam, at the end of the day it serves evil.

GQ: But aren’t there two sides to Christianity as well? The side that launched the crusades, and that many believe is still active, steering the last administration’s foreign policy. Aren’t we really talking about the human failing here, not tied to a particular faith?

MY: No, no, no, no. This is what I’m trying to avoid. I point to the book, to the god. I am not pointing to the people. I judge and compare books and gods. In Christianity, it’s very clear that the god we worship is equal to love. The bible says, ‘God is love’. The god we worship was sacrificed, crucified on the cross, tortured, spit on, and was still forgiving. This is our highest example. The god of Islam tells his people, “Beat your wife. Go kill infidels. Go Kill Christians and Jews.” This is in the Koran; it has been for 1400 years. Their god tells them to kill everybody who doesn’t believe in the god of the Koran. The problem is ideological—it’s not a people problem. Now, most Muslims don’t obey the order of god to kill infidels. This is why I say Muslims have more morality than their god. To be honest with you, I’m amazed at how Muslims keep their humanity after reading the Koran.

The likes of Shyam Selvadurai belong to a different league in terms of literary voices belonging to the diaspora. I believe that there are many other Tamil voices around the world who are struggling for a break into the literary world and are yet to find the support they need. This is especially so for Tamils living in countries that use other European languages and not English. It would be important for people like Ameena to give these people some support!

You look gorgeous. I feel like giving you a big hug for the interesting comments you made and I 100% agree with you (timeline 6:00- 6:10, 16:56, 19:00, 19:40) You are a ambassador of peace! I find you a charming lady in the dress you are wearing than in a Hijab. People should be identifiable in their dresses. I dislike extrem-relegion views and behaviours and even dresses of people; be it Muslim, buddhism, Christianity or Hindu. Hijab like dreses are barriers to be inclusive in a multi-cultural/religion/ethnic society. I am happy to hear that you as a muslim happy to be born in a non-Muslim country, Sri Lanka (than born in Aghanistan, Iran, Iraq Saudi Arab extreme Muslim Countries) because of the freedom you have. I personally think Sri Lankan people should aviod and should not push to wear hijab and gonibilla like dresses hiding under a robe. I think people must not religionize any country by dresses. The statistical facts Sanjana quoted (20:38-21:38) prove how a blind belief can lead to knowledge diffusion. Let civilization grow with time rather than let it stagnated by sticking to a book written centuries ago. May many Ameenas be born in Sri Lanka and all over the the world! Thanks for uploading an interesting interview Sanjana.