Nasrin, Taslima (1962– )

Bangladeshi writer and feminist, in exile from 1994. Accused of blasphemy, and charged with insulting religious sentiments, she was subjected to death threats and mass demonstrations after the publication in 1993 of her novel Lajja/Shame, dealing with Muslim–Hindu conflict. In 1993–94 fatwa calls for her death were issued, and a price put on her head. She has also criticized Shari'a law.

Born in Myrmensingh, she trained as an anaesthetist, and began writing a syndicated newspaper column in 1990 about religious intolerance and the oppression of women. She has also published several volumes of poetry.