The author, who has spent a considerable amount of time in the Muslim world argues that the distinction between a secular state and a religious one is not as clear cut as is often assumed. Supposedly secular liberal democracies are often not as free from religious influence as claimed. Taking into account Muslims' views on Islam, he proposes that there is no one model that fits all, but that, instead of secularism, politicians could consider equidistance, where the state is generally impartial to religions. New Paperback. 239 pages with a bibliography and an index.