Taslima Nasreen
Taslima NasreenTaslima Nasreen/Twitter

Writer and activist Taslima Nasreen, who was threatened by Islamists, has been moved to the United States by the Center for Inquiry (CFI).

The New York-based advocacy organisation decided to move Nasreen to the US after Islamists named her as their next target, according to its website.

"Nasrin was recently named as one of the next targets for murder by Al Qaeda-linked extremists, prompting CFI to assist in transporting her safely to the U.S., alleviating the immediate threat to her life. Her safety is only temporary if she cannot remain in the U.S., however, which is why CFI has established an emergency fund to help with food, housing, and the means for her to be safely settled," CFI said. 

She arrived in Buffalo, New York, on 27 May, CFI said. 

Bangladesh is under the grip of deadly violence by extremists, who have already killed three bloggers this year.

The CFI also announced an emergency fund to held bring more such freethinkers out of danger, especially after the savage killings of bloggers Avijit Roy, Oyasiqur Rahman and Ananta Bijoy Das in Bangladesh. 

Al Qaeda had claimed responsibility for Avijit Roy's murder, which had sparked global outrage at the state of affairs in Bangladesh. 

CFI is calling for donations to the fund, stating that it had received more requests by writers and activists in Bangladesh who fear for their lives. 

Taslima Nasreen has been tweeting pictures from the US.

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