Maliks work, in many ways, defends the values of Enlightenment of the 18th century

Kenan Malik is an Indian-born British writer, lecturer and broadcaster. He had studied neurobiology and the history of science. As an academic author, his focus is on the philosophy of biology, and contemporary theories of multiculturalism, pluralism and race. These are the subjects he draws on elaborately in his books. Maliks work, in many ways, defends the values of Enlightenment of the 18th century as he seeks to show through his writing that the ethos of Enlightenment has been distorted in recent political and scientific discourses. He writes for many newspapers and magazines including the Observer, the New York Times, the Guardian, the Financial Times and the Independent.

'From Fatwa to Jihad: The Rushdie Affair and its Legacy' (2009)

From Fatwa to Jihadwas released to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of the Fatwa issued against Salman Rushdie. In this book, Malik recounts the events of the Bradford protests, the fatwa, the Indian riots, as well as government and media responses. Apart from this, Malik also focuses on South-Asian British immigrants, and how they shaped the British-Asian identity. He describes the increase in state multiculturalism and its long-term effects, and also analyses the culture of censoring yourself and fearing the media.

'Multiculturalism and its Discontents: Rethinking Diversity After 9/11' (2013)

After 9/11 and the subsequent terrorist attacks that followed in some parts of Europe, a frequently asked question was to what extent the west can tolerate cultural diversity. InMulticulturalism and its Discontents,Malik examines how multiculturalism affects terrorism and social discontents, and analyses the history of the idea of multiculturalism with its political roots and social consequences. He discusses if people can, and should, try to build a society that has common values.

Awards

Books written

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Kenan Malik: Philosophy of science and cultural theories - Dhaka Tribune