Hello

We are writing to you to ask for your support in favour of free expression and one secular law for all.

17 MARCH RALLY FOR FREE EXPRESSION ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES

As you know, Islamists are often free to speak at universities whilst those of us providing a progressive counter-narrative are repeatedly denied or restricted from speaking. We are wrongly accused of Islamophobia and “incitement to hatred” when we are in fact challenging the Islamists’ hatred of apostates, women, Muslim dissenters and others. Warwick University Student Union, for example, initially barred our spokesperson, Maryam Namazie, from speaking to the Atheist Society using these very accusations.

You might also have heard about what happened at Goldsmiths University where the Islamic Society tried but failed to intimidate and cancel Maryam’s talk by misusing the concept of safe spaces.

Clearly, the National Union of Students’ no platforming and safe space policies are being used to restrict the free expression of an increasing number of feminists and rights campaigners, including Julie Bindel, Peter Tatchell and Kate Smurthwaite.

On 17 March, Right2Debate and CEMB are organising a protest rally at the NUS in London to call for the reform of policies that restrict free expression. Please join us if you can from 5-6pm at Macadam House, 275 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8QB.

We have been informed that a counter-demonstration is being planned.

Please also:
* Tweet “I call on @nusuk to revise safe space and no platform policies to facilitate not restrict free expression and thought” or on Facebook or other social media
* Take part in the thunderclap campaign
* Email the NUS office@nus.org.uk to register your protest

Please also email us (exmuslimcouncil@gmail.com) with your name and a description as well as any organisational affiliation if you would like to sign on to the statement calling for reform. The statement will be sent to the NUS after the protest.

We look forward to your solidarity and support in this important fight.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR 30 APRIL DAY CONFERENCE ON SHARIA LAW, LEGAL PLURALISM AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE

On 30 April, 11:30am-5:30pm, in Central London, near Kings Cross Station, One Law for All will be organising a day-conference on Sharia Law, Legal Pluralism and Access to Justice.

At the conference, author Elham Manea will present the findings of her new book “Women And Sharia Law: The Impact Of Legal Pluralism In The UK.”

Women’s rights groups that led successful campaigns preventing public authorities such as the governing body of UK Universities and the Law Society from incorporating aspects of Sharia laws into their public policies will further present their case against Sharia courts and the Beth Din, legal aid cuts, and the denial of access to equality and human rights.

Other confirmed Speakers include: Diana Nammi, Director of Iranian Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation; Gita Sahgal, Director of Centre for Secular Space; Pragna Patel, Director of Southall Black Sisters; Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson of One Law for All and Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain; Nareen Rehman, Co-Founder and Chair of British Muslims for Secular Democracy and Yasmin Rehman, Women’s Rights Campaigner.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the conference, go to this link.

For more information on the protest on 17 March, contact:
Benjamin David, benjamin.david@hotmail.co.uk
Haydar Zaki, Haydar.zaki@quilliamfoundation.org
Maryam Namazie, maryamnamazie@gmail.com

Thanks again and warm wishes
Imad Iddine Habib
Maryam Namazie
Nahla Mahmoud
Rayhana Sultan
Spokespersons
Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
BM Box 1919, London WC1N 3XX, UK
tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
email: exmuslimcouncil@gmail.com
web: https://ex-muslim.org.uk/

CEMB is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales under company number 8059509 and depends on donations from its members and supporters to carry out its work. You can join, donate and register for our free e-mailings.