Dr Humayun AzadBangladesh 
Dr. Humayun Azad is a prolific Bangladeshi writer, scholar and professor at the University of Dhaka. He is well known for his fearless practice of free thinking and open criticism of Islam and Muslims. On 27 February 2004 he was viciously attacked by unidentified assailants following the publication of a novel titled "Pak Sar Jamin Saad Baad". In this novel, he exposes the attitudes and activities of Islamists and nationalists in Bangladesh, vividly portraying the fanatical and barbaric nature of these groups. 
Islamists in Bangladesh demanded that his book be banned, saying that a blasphemy law should be passed so that no similar books could be published in future. Though they condemned the assassination attempt, they insisted that blasphemy could not be tolerated. Police arrested two people in connection to this assassination attempt. Ironically, both of them are members of the Awami League which outspokenly criticized Islamists for such acts. Dr. Azad received treatment in Dhaka and abroad for his injuries. According to a letter from him published in a national newspaper, “One of my eyes is half blind, my disfigured face still shows the scars of vicious attack, the sutures on my face are still painful for me, my lips are partially numb, I wear dentures, infirmity has taken hold of me. After my return from medical treatment at abroad, I am interned in my home because my life is not safe outside; I may be attacked physically if I venture outside. For my safety the government has assigned some police, for this I am thankful. Still then, I am receiving repeated death threats; my family members are facing danger. All of these are making our lives utterly miserable. I cannot look at the panic-stricken face of my loved ones because their countenance bears the mark of mental anguish; it seems as if they are living in a state of fear surrounded by sharp knives or living near a live volcano. Sometimes I feel that the marauding gang of assassins surrounds them and there is no one to protect them from harm. Under this dire circumstance, living a normal life is all too difficult and meaningless; I don’t know whether you could imagine the state of hopelessness that I am in.” His son was kidnapped on 24 July 2004 but escaped after two hours. The following day, Dr Azad received a death threat by telephone: the caller threatened to bomb his house.
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