Please Do Not Say Islam Is a Religion of Peace. Not Anymore': Bangladeshi Author Sounds Off After Terror Attack

Following the terror attack in that claimed at least 20 lives in Bangladesh on Friday — and for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility — an exiled Bangladeshi author sounded off against those who defend Islam in the wake of repeated deadly attacks.

"For humanity's sake please do not say Islam is a religion of peace," Taslima Nasreen tweeted Sunday. "Not anymore."

Taslima Nasreen (Image source: YouTube)

Nasreen takes a strong feminist and human rights stance and hasn't been able to return Bangladesh, her native country, since she left in 1994, the Indian Express reported. Nasreen also has received death threats from Al Qaeda-linked extremist groups, the outlet said.

Bangladeshi officials, however, have been denying an Islamic State link to the deadly attack.

Relatives and friends carry the body of a Bangladeshi victim of the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery for burial, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, July 4, 2016. The brutality of the attack, the worst convulsion of violence yet in the recent series of deadly attacks to hit Bangladesh, has stunned the traditionally moderate Muslim nation and raised global concerns about whether it can cope with the increasingly strident Islamist militants. (AP Photo)

Nasreen sent these tweets in response to the attack:

'Bangladesh has been a major contributor to global terror. Bangladeshi men have joined terror outfits in 36 countries.' -- Saleem Samad

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) July 3, 2016

For humanity's sake please do not say Islam is a religion of peace. Not anymore.

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) July 3, 2016

All Dhaka terrorists were from rich families, studied in elite schools. Pl do not say poverty & illiteracy make people Islamic terrorists

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) July 3, 2016

You don't need poverty,illiteracy, frustration,America's foreign policy,Israel's conspiracy to become an Islamic terrorist. You need Islam.

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) July 3, 2016

On Monday Nasreen spoke to CNN-News 18, the Indian Express reported, and said "there is no freedom of expression in Bangladesh. So many bloggers, writers were killed only for expressing views different from that of fundamentalists. Many bloggers were imprisoned."

This story has been updated.