I meant to say a few words about Abdullahi An-Na`im's book, Islam and the Secular State. An-Na`im is a thoughtful and serious scholar of Islamic law and he should be read. Unlike many of the writers on Islam, he is deeply familiar with the Islamic sources: both classic and contemporary. He does not bring much that is new here as he repeats the same principles that he derived from his mentor, Mahmoud Taha (a Sudanese Muslim reformer). An-Na`im wants a secular arrangement but he insists that he merely wants to secularize the state, and not society. I say: you can't say that because you can't guarantee that. What if society wants to secularize? But he is at pains to reassure Muslims believers that secularism (for the state only) will not affect the faith, and even the Shari`ah. See, he wants Shari`ah to be implemented but privately. He calls for the separation of state and religion but not politics and religion: I find the distinction to be dubious. But I really recommend this serious book. Good night.