Ahmedur Chowdhury
Journalist and secular publisher
Is a journalist and secular publisher from Bangladesh, known as Tutul. Ahmedur believes that literature plays an essential role in promoting democratic values and tolerance. With increased access to the internet, secular thinkers in Bangladesh have found a place where they can express their views more openly. However, this has also emboldened extremist forces across the country. In 2015, Tutul was victim to the many attacks perpetrated by Islamic extremists. After surviving these attacks Tutul was named winner of the International Writer of Courage award by Margaret Atwood, on 13 October. He now lives in exile in Norway, but he refuses to be silent. Ahmedur continues to fight for freedom of expression and invites us to do the same.