[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The below are messages of support received by the Council. There are many more in various websites and blogs. Keep your messages coming. Thank you!” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.5″ google_fonts=”font_family:Droid%20Sans%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]

Ex-Muslims all over the world need a voice so that others can feel safe in joining them. I applaud the work the CEMB is doing and am encouraged to help spread the word.
Dave Gilbert, Nottingham, UK

It’s very easy to sound PC and tolerant by saying all religions want harmony, but that is truly not the case. We need to have a open and honest discussion about Islam, and about all religions. I support CEMB because it stands up against ideological oppression, and fights for intellectual freedom. I am very grateful that there is a community like CEMB to support people in very difficult circumstances. Those of you who are feeling conflicted about – or are in the process of leaving – Islam have the full right to make your own decisions, without fear of punishment or persecution.
G. Mung, Sydney, Australia

I was born in a Muslim family. My grandfather was a Pesh Imam of a mosque. But early in life I lost faith in Islam. Perhaps this was because I studied Buddhism… I honestly told all my family and friends about my convictions and they all abandoned me. But since the majority in my country are Buddhist and since my wife is also a Buddhist my life didn’t become difficult. But the Muslim community shuns me. Unfortunately my three children who were very close to my mother became staunch Shia Muslims. There are many in our country who are disillusioned by Islam but they dare not openly profess their conviction because they are afraid they would be ostracized.
Jaweed Maung Maung
Yangon, MYANMAR

I’m Catholic but I strongly believe in separation of religion from the state and educational system. The state has to represent and protect all citizens independently from colour of skin, religion and especially sex. Prohibition of segregation of sexes and reduction of woman’s independency can not be accepted in a modern country.
Scilla, Italy

Having enjoyed complete freedom to think for myself and become an atheist I wish to support the enormous bravery of ex-Muslims who choose their own paths despite oppression and intimidation.
Sara Melly, Winchester, UK

I can’t put it better than Luke Stevens: “You are brave, brave people and I salute you. I am not really worthy of joining you, but I would very much like to offer my heartfelt support.”
Paul Robinson, London, England

I am a Buddhist. I read your manifesto and I could not be more in agreement with it. I support it and what you’re doing whole heartedly.
Tommy Hunt, Atlanta , USA

I don’t believe in religious tyranny of any kind, what so ever. I will stand with you, side by side in the fight against Islamic tyranny.
BILL MCKINNEY, USA

I found your website today by chance. My newspaper today [The Times 28.11.08] was full of coverage of the murders of innocents in Bombay by Islamic terrorists. Inside my paper there was a small article about the Islamic states in Northern Nigeria where young girls as young as 12 are forced into marriage with much older men, even men as old as 84. Many of the young girls made pregnant in this way suffer ruptures in the area between the vagina and the bladder or rectum during childbirth. The condition is called fistula. The girls thus affected are divorced and cast out from their communities. They are left crippled medically, socially, mentally and emotionally. I feel that Islam is the source of much barbarism in today’s world.
The instances cited above have precedent in the teachings of the Koran. Indeed they have precedent in the life of the Prophet Mohammed, who killed 900 Jews in cold blood after the battle of the trench in Medina, who took a child bride and consummated the marriage when she was only 9. I have met many Muslims who would not consider themselves to be extremists and are outwardly friendly and gracious. However I have also found that many have a world view that allows them to justify violence against others, especially non-Muslims, women and homosexuals. I applaud the Muslims amongst you who have had the great courage, in the face of possible violence from their own communities, to renounce their faith. I was very moved reading the comments from ex-Muslims on your site. It gave me hope for a better world.
Clement

You’re a promise and a delight. We support yr Manifesto and we looking for
the end of all hypocrites, religious or not for the good of Globe.
In freedom and Love.
POETS OF THE ATHEIST WORLD

Camilla Martin

Atheist, never Muslim but I support your cause.
Rachel Holmes

Criticism should be aimed at all religion.
Richard Francis

I admire and applaud your courage in taking what can be a dangerous step for many non-believing Muslims, and am very encouraged by the Council’s existence and work. Keep it up, and keep the membership growing.
Chris Neal, London

I have been a scientifically and philosophically inclined atheist since the age of 11 and a regular attendee at Conway Hall for nearly 20 years.
Ian Buxton

Sue Mayer

Monica Candik

David Kramer

Because of the Holocaust I still cling to my Jewish heritage but I think your work is courageous and admirable.
Carol Gould

I have read your members’ and supporters’ statements, and am inspired by such honesty, courage and integrity. I am fortunate to have grown up in an atheist home where we often discussed religious issues and morality. I have never found the idea of a god or creator at all convincing or necessary, preferring the rational, empirical evidence of science to explain our world and the universe. For people indoctrinated with religious belief and submissiveness from childhood, it must take an enormous effort of willpower and self-belief to reject these superstitious and self serving doctrines. I salute all of you who have taken this courageous stand.
Leni Gillman, London UK

Best wishes to you all from an ex-christian. I hope that your organisation grows, prospers and gains influence in our society.
Gareth Edwards, Stoke on Trent, UK

I was brought up in an observant Bangladeshi Muslim family. Progress and enlightenment cannot come about in our communities unless individuals are free to hold beliefs and no belief at all. I support CEMB in its effort to create this cultural and political space currently occupied by political and religious dogma.
A Uddin

As a Muslim-Turk, born and raised in Istanbul until the age of 22 and been studying in London since, I just wanted to say i am proud of your organization. It is in the essence of being a Turk to be diverse and open to all ideas. I have been lucky enough to be brought up under a Kemalist Muslim environment where Islam is loved and accepting criticism is regarded as a virtue. I was lucky enough to praise art to the fullest where it is a rarity in other Islamic parts of the world. I like the Islamic Mythology, and enjoy the culture but on the other hand I refuse to believe that there is any such thing as an absolute truth. I congratulate your stand against those who refuse any criticism against religion.
Can

I am delighted to chance upon this human, inherently and inevtiably (but
never fatally) flawed and deeply, deeply sincere movement. Humbling beyond
any words. To even mention this feels tacky
Jon, UK

I am an atheist Jew active in anti-Zionist politics; one of a rather small number opposed to the ‘State of Israel’, not merely to its current policies. We consider it a racist state, and that all of the land, not just the so-called occupied territories, is stolen land. We campaign for the Palestinians’ Right of Return and for the progressive, anti-imperialist, secular Palestinian voice to be heard and supported. It is possible for Jews to renounce our ‘Right of Return’ publicly. This I have done. While secular Jews are numerous and not subject to persecution (unlike secular ex-Muslims), true anti-Zionist Jews are few. Our position is very different, even from self-defined liberal Jews who claim to support justice for Palestinians while supporting the continued existence of the State of Israel. I believe that the stand we take is the only honourable one. I would like to be accepted as a supporter of your organisation in solidarity with others who have renounced ‘tribe’ for issues of principle and in the pursuit of truth.
Riva Joffe

I am an atheist.
I was born into a religion-free home.
I have not wavered in my non-belief since the age of twelve.
I think that the questioning of authority, both religious and secular, is the beginning of intellectual freedom.
You have broken free, you are brave, and I give you my support.

I feel there is little more to say because for me religion is a discourse which is not to be reached by reasoned debate. It is outside the world of science and nature. It is to be avoided like the plague.
Diana Jones, South Wales

As a rationalist I welcome and support all those who throw off the burden of religion and the bigotry, ignorance and immorality that religion entails. I particularly admire those who were forced into Islam at birth and who have developed the insight and courage to declare themselves rational and free human beings.
Martin Foreman, London, UK

The present global state of religious fuelled war and terrorism, (of which I have seen first hand), is clear evidence of what ridiculous ancient story telling has evolved our society to, unchanged for thousands of years. It is time the world’s enlightened men and women, people of logic and reason stand together to renounce religion and its indoctrination techniques. Free your mind and live the one life you have to the full. This is exactly what the Council of Ex Muslims is doing.
Jon-paul, Buckingham, UK

Although I’m still a Muslim (or at least a questioning one), I give full support to anyone who wishes to renounce their Islamic faith. We must take a stand against the intolerance in Muslim societies against ex-Muslims.
Zach

I am an European citizen, living and working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Living in this place is like stepping back in time, to the ages of the Spanish Inquisition and likewise phenomena in Europe. It is actually true that a lot of people keep their Islam religion here simply because they are concerned about their physical safety or their very lives. How can a religion openly build on the most fundamental of human fears, the fear for life, to sustain itself? How can a religion be built on fear at all? How can people think, believe and pass on that God wants the ones who renounce a certain faith to be killed? Can we call it a religion at all? How many people can there be out there who are only stopped from finding their true identity and self at a personal level by their fear for their lives? I know quite a few here – long term personal friends who have all asked me to swear to God and my family that I would never ever tell anyone that they have doubts about Islam. Simply because they are (literally) scared to death. This is absurd. But still, what makes it even worse, true.
In this respect, apostates of Islam are in a specific situation, as I am not aware of any other faiths, religions or beliefs that impose the capital punishment on apostates. They do need support from organisations with legal and financial power to succeed. Your organisation has a function of enormous value and significance to the people who have arrived to a stage where they would like to move away from Islam (or any other restrictive way of thinking, I would not even call them a ‘religion’ any longer), and even though I am not a Muslim, I am sure that even just getting a glimpse of your website, just knowing that they are not alone, just knowing that there can be a way will give people hope, confidence, reassurance and some sense of security to go on with their chosen way of thinking. I believe that living without fear should be a basic right to everyone in today’s Europe and your organization can and I am sure will do a lot to further this end.
I wish you good luck and success in your future proceedings.
Riyadh Explorer

I support all the people that want to live in peace, not oppressed by any religion or any dictatorship. That’s why I humbly join this website and support all the brave women and men that decided to abandon Islam. I wish one day all mankind can leave in peace and harmony.
Franco, Lugano

I am an ex-Christian (since the age of 14!) – which involves no risk at all. I am full of admiration for the courage of ex-Muslims like yourself. I am full of scorn for those who would threaten you because you are an ex-Muslim. I feel that Ex-Muslims are my brothers and sisters in truth and am glad to think that we all belong to the Society of Ex-Religious of the World.
Dane Clouston, UK

I learned of your organisation from yesterday’s Times newspaper. How brave, wonderful and sensible you all are. I have always lived in England and was brought up as a Christian, until I realised there is no god when I was about 30. I am delighted to be an atheist and free of the stupidity of religious superstition. I am grateful that I had only Christianity to discard. Getting rid of it required no bravery and put me in no danger. You, on the other hand, have had to break free of a much more malign and threatening force. I wish you all the very best. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if everyone could accept the plain godless truth?
Susan Hazell, UK

I salute your bravery, and hope you go from strength to strength. As a refugee from Christianity I have a little understanding of how hard it must be, in the face of a family and society who reject you. Your battle is so much harder.
Meg Wallace, Australia

I absolutely support the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. Freedom of religion and to change one’s mind should be a no-brainer in an ideal world.
Gianni, Italy

I am an ex-Christian (since the age of 14!) which involves no risk at all. I am full of admiration for the courage of ex-Muslims like yourself. I am full of scorn for those who would threaten you because you are an ex-Muslim. I feel that Ex-Muslims are my brothers and sisters in truth and am glad to think that we all belong to the Society of Ex-Religious of the World.
Dane Clouston, UK

Your manifesto is so reasonable; it is a shame that there can still be people who do not see that. I am filled with joy and hope for the future, when I read about your work. May we hope to bury cultural relativism and free as many children from the abuse of strict religion, so that we can start agreeing as critical thinkers and stop following like programmed machines; the future of humanity could be as diverse as the people within it!
Ted, human patriot

I would like to make it very clear from the start that I am no atheist, am a very firm believer in God and, therefore will probably not qualify as one of your members…. Once again, I wish your movement success in at least helping each and every one of us worldwide to achieve the freedom and ability to make choices dictated only by our Conscience.
Winston Psaila – Malta

I am a humanist and have never been a Muslim but I am filled with admiration for the courageous stance you are taking against such a repressive religion. I wanted to add my name to your list of supporters in recognition of what you are doing.
Felicity

Why do I support the EMC? Because I believe in equal rights for Hindus, Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians, agnostics, atheists and any others I’ve missed out. Because I know that Islam is NOT a religion of peace (this from a vigorous attempt to convert me at university, and subsequent events). Because, whilst I am a Church of England member, I believe that no religion should be imposed upon anyone, and anyone should be free to leave Islam when they choose. Because I’m really scared that the UK, and Europe’s, future may not be secular.
Paul Evans, London

I stumbled across your web site while surfing the web and just thought I’d send greetings from a humanist in Toronto, Canada. There is no future in religion, it will only tear us apart and create walls between people; the future is secular! Your web site looks great and I wish each of you all the best in the New Year!
Richard John Purvis, Toronto, Ontario

I was born Moslem but rejected Islam when I came to university. I studied it
extensively and found that it made fanciful claims about an existence of a
supernatural Being.
My parents are Moslems. But my dad and mom are not fanatics. Dad only prays
on Hari Raya days.
I’m a Singaporean. There are many Malay Singaporeans who do not believe, let
alone, practice the teachings of Islam. Nobody seriously pray 5 times here.
And Friday mosques are rarely filled up as people are busy working. If all
Moslems prayed, there weren’t be enough mosques to go around.
People are socially engineered to maintain their pseudo identities but these
days…nobody cares whether you fast, pray or eat non-100% halal food.
Love your work. Many more will speak out
Yeem, Singapore

I would like to say that my decision to renounce Islam was based on an incident that happened in my family in a small town, Sambhal in UP, India. My aunt was in bad marriage and she wanted a divorce, but her husband refused. She wrote a letter to devband for permission. They wrote her back that according to Islamic Sharia she cannot divorce until her husband agrees. He never agreed. She died a spinster and a lonely mentally sick woman. I was 10 when I heard about it. The marriage took place before I was born but she died when I was about 14. It sowed the seed of suspicion about religion in my mind at an early age. I renounced Islam at the age of 34. I will keep fighting and educating about the dangers of Islam until the day I die. Muhammad taught hatred to his followers. He degraded women for eternity. Once he gained power he showed no mercy for any of his opponents. He massacred, and tortured every one of them. We have to educate Muslims to realize this danger and explain how barbaric his teachings are. I have so much to say against Islam and other religions but I will say it on my website.
Zulfiqar Tareen, Los Angeles, CA

I salute your courage on behalf of freedom of conscience and universal human rights.
Marion

I’m so glad that former muslims are having the courage to not only speak out against islam but to form an organisation to show that noone who wants to leave islam is alone.
Bob, Lincoln

May I put on record my admiration for the courage and integrity of the
members of your council? The present government’s policy of categorising all
citizens into “faith” communities is despicable. Their use of “leaders of
faith communities” to communicate with the citizens of the UK is
undemocratic. Their support for sectarian education funded by the general
tax payer is a road to disaster and an assault on the human rights of
children. My very best wishes for the success of your organisation.
Seculardemocrat

RENUNCIATION
On learning of the creation of a society in Britain by a group of 25 people who have publicly repudiated Islam: a poem at the Autumn Equinox. [PDF version]
Terence DuQuesne

This is just a simple message of support to fellow travellers. I am an ex-Christian (Irish Catholic) turned atheist and would like to wish all in your organisation the very best of luck.
Michael Furey, Galway, Ireland

I’m not an ex-Muslim, but I’m an atheist and NSS member. You probably

get a lot of nasty e-mails from organised hate campaigns, so I thought I’d send this small message of support and encouragement. There will be millions like me in Britain , but they tend not to be very organised nor very vocal. They are out there, even if -for now – you don’t hear much from them.
Nick

CONGRATULATIONS ON REJECTING THE HEAVY YOKE OF RELIGION – NEVER FORGET THAT MILLIONS OF US ARE ON YOUR SIDE!
KEN, MANCHESTER , ENGLAND , GB

My name is Nur and I’m a 19 year old law student, currently studying in the UK . I came across Mina Ahadi’s name and what she does in the July 2007 edition of the ‘New Internationalist’ and I knew that I just had to find out more about the ex-Muslim council. At the moment of writing this, my heart is racing because it was not until today I realised that there may be hope for me yet.

I am of Malay origins and come from a Muslim country in Asia where the majority of the population are Malays and Muslim. In fact, I don’t know any Malay that has ever thought of, or has, renounced Islam or converted. Which, before coming across your site, made me feel that I am the only Muslim out there that wants out of it. I was born a Muslim, and from a very young age I did what most ‘good Muslims’ do when they’re young and that is learning how to read the Qur’an and going to religious school and what not and from very young, while I diligently went to my religious classes, I always felt that there was something wrong. Perhaps not necessarily with the religion or the people that practice it, but there was just something inside me that told me that this religion did not feel right for me – with the way that I was as a person and character.

My family is definitely not what you would call ‘hard-core’ Muslims and so, the way that I was brought up was not exactly the typical way another Muslim girl would be brought up if she grew up in a middle-eastern country, for example. I think that my sisters and brother have been very lucky in the way that we have been brought up, that is, slightly westernised and free – we are not made to wear the headscarf and can go out pretty much whenever we want. But this isn’t about me wanting to leave Islam because I feel too restricted; it is simply because I don’t connect with it. I believe in God.. But perhaps, not the God that I have told to be fearful of and to respect, out of fear. It is not in me to be part of a religion that I do not feel a connection with or have a belief in its ways.

The reason that I want to join the ex-Muslim council is because in my heart I know that one day, maybe not now, but perhaps when I am about to start my own life, I want to convert. And it saddens me deeply because I know that I will have to inevitably leave my family behind because of it. I have not told any of my sisters about the way that I feel because I’m scared of what they will say or do. I have a big family and at this point in time, I do not know what to do because I cannot, and I refuse to forget about the way that I feel inside and finding out about the ex-muslim council has been like a Godsend to me, a step closer to what I would like to achieve. I know that Muslims that decide to leave could be killed and even if my family decided not to take that route, my country is such a small country that word would get round and there could be heavy consequences – not just on me, but on my family because while it may be easy to tell my family eventually and leave the country for good, where would I go? What would happen to my family? I just wish I knew what I could do.
Nur

My wife and I visited Iran very recently. An impressive country, with an enormous beauty and impressive culture. I seldom have seen a country with so many bookshops and with such love for literature and poetry. Heart-warming! We spoke to so many young people (we ourselves are backpacking elderly people in their 60-ties) and were always surprised by their friendliness and hospitality. These are ‘the people of Iran ‘. We have tried to ‘look at Iranian life’: men’s as well as women’s (if that’s possible in a month’s time). We have visited several families, universities. We have spoken to many young people (students mostly). What we saw was exactly the same sort of ‘life influencing mechanisms’ as we have seen in the 60-80-ties behind the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe . As a result of that people seem to have rigorously separated lives: public and private lives seem hardly connected. This is causing so much damage, not just to the people but also to the country. It brings anger, frustration, and depression. It shows the arrogance of power: politicians, ignoring the human identity and using religion for their own sake. I call myself a religious person. Nonetheless I see your work as a matter of civilisation: how to support each human being in self employment, within the rules of law, ethics and moral. Please continue the good and difficult work that you do: i really admire you for this. And always stay aware of our human qualities and dignities. Khoda Hafez: I wish you a good life.
Jasper

I am an ex-Muslim from the Maldives and I want to extend to you my sincerest prayers of success. Be strong and courageous.
Aishath Naazneen Nirihaalu Gaaghe

I am *SO PLEASED* to discover your new organization. Just what Britain , and Europe , needs. I see you have a German counterpart, and I hope similar branches are established in ALL European countries.

I am a British Ex-Pat living in the USA for 15+ years. We could do with a branch here in the US . You would do well I think. Naturally, 9-11 raised serious concerns about the anti-western nature of Islam, but more recently the US has witnessed the growth and vocal push-back from the secular community. The energized secular community are sick and tired of religious fundamentalism and religion altogether dominating and poisoning the free traditions of the US and the west.

The US is not yet seeing the high level of Islamic influence one sees in the UK and mainland Europe , so I wish your organization great success in the front line.

Yours is a distinctly 21st Century organization, and not a moment too soon.

Best Regards
Milton Valler

Just to wish you success, may you go from strength to strength.
Isabel

Dear Maryam,

I am very impressed with the courageous position you have chosen to take in the imperialistic fight between political Islamists and US neocons. This is even more important than being an ex-Muslim! I am afraid that our western European appeasing attitude towards Islamist hardliners eventually will lead to disaster. Go on!
Rob

I would like to wish you well in your efforts to free individuals from the malign influence of religion. The more people like you who make an effort, the better.
Antaine Uas O’Labhradha, Ireland

I am writing to you to express my support and admiration for you. It takes a great deal of courage and integrity to take a stand and publicly declare a manifesto such as yours, considering how Islam views apostates. I am in full agreement with your vision of human rights and freedom, and I support all ten of your demands. Because I live quite far from Britain, I feel unfortunately that there is very little I can do to help your cause. But I just wanted you to know: you are not alone. I support you in spirit, as I know many other also do.
Alexander, Finland

It is only recently that I have learnt the truth of Islam and what its effects are on western society and culture. I am a (non-religious) Buddhist, and I believe in reason and compassion above all else. I oppose the hateful teachings of Islam, and respect those who are brave enough to leave it.
Matthew MacDonald

Congratulations on setting up the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. I am not a Muslim or even a former Muslim but as an atheist I am keen to support organisations which help people break free of religion. If you need financial support for your organisation I would like to make a donation. Please let me know how I can do it.
Ian Swindale

Congratulation, well done with best wishes.
Ibrahim

A courageous and very important step which I wholly support. More strength to you !
Mandy, Holloway
Scientist, atheist, free-thinker

Great initiative! Good Luck!
Mehdi Mozaffari, Denmark

Congratulations and success with the Council. I know how free I felt once I had shed the shackles of my instilled believe in God. I’m often very much aware of this more absolute freedom. I really pity those who are still forced and indoctrinated to believe. That is not something just happening in the Muslim world.
Michiel Mans, Holland

Great initiative.
Mirella, Italy

I just wanted to drop you a note to congratulate you on this excellent and sensible Manifesto. I think you and your colleagues in the movement are very courageous ladies indeed and I wish you every success in your endeavours. If there is anything I can do to assist your campaign from Shropshire then please do let me know.
Jane

Congratulations for the launch of the Council of ex-Muslims of Britain. We know how dangerous and difficult it is for you to affirm you are non-believers, atheists or ex-Muslims. You can count on us to support your action. All women must have access to universal rights, regardless of their father or husband or brother’s religion. Voluntary or forced servitude endured by women of Muslim confession or affiliation is non acceptable, here or anywhere else.
Michèle Vianès

I am just writing to express my support for the Council of Ex-Muslims of Great Britain. I am not from a Muslim background (I’m an ex-Catholic, in fact), but I am very conscious of the importance of articulating and defending secular values in our society. I am grateful to you and your colleagues for making this courageous, principled, and fundamentally important stand. Your manifesto is clear, humane, sane and uncompromising, and it deserves to be heard throughout the country. If there is anything I can do to help support you, please let me know.
Richard Keatley

First word on the British e-mc — brave!
Rob

You are very courageous. G-d be with you!
Andrew M Rosemarine

Thanks for the information – a Brave and courageous step

good luck, and please keep me informed.
Tessa House

Very good idea indeed! The very best of luck!
Deirdre Toomey (ex-Catholic)

Congratulations. Your formation is surely an historic occasion. Your inspirational bravery, quality of enlightened conviction and dedication to reaching a hand out to help unshackle some of the endless number of innocents, speaks for itself.
Jack Maclean

You are great! I am a Christian with a child at a lovely church school, but I do admire your spirited stand. I hope you don’t mind my saying ‘God bless you!’
Angela

I couldn’t make it but I wanted to let you know that I am, as an Iranian, extremely proud that you are leading this movement. All the best. Never stop.
City Boy

I am pleased to hear about the organization ‘ex-Muslim of Britain’ and wish you and your members success in your en devours to distance yourselves from a 7th Century caravan thief and child molester. Take care and be safe.
Clive

Good for you! Perhaps we had better have a Council of ex-Christians of Britain, so that we can fraternise! But I recognize that you are up against a much bigger problem than we have been, difficult though leaving any religion of one’s youth is. I salute you brave people. You are the hope of the world and all its people.
Dane Clouston

Congratulations on your initiative. Let me know if I can do anything.
Ibn Warraq

This is just a note to congratulate you on establishing this movement. I think you should raise money through subscription and perhaps have a monthly newsletter or weekly email message perhaps. I find many of the messages in the Koran abhorrent in terms of the many calls for conflict and I am therefore anti-Islamic as the Koran and Mohammad (whose character is also very dodgy) are central to the Islamic movement. I am anti-Islamic and say so proudly – just like I am anti-Nazi as well. Best of luck for the sake of everyone – including the Muslims – here in the UK.
Martin Harris

I’m truly impressed and i would greatly appreciate your assistance in setting up a similar council in Australia. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Abbas

My name Rejew from San Francisco. I will like to help anyone who wants to leave Islam here in United States of America. Thank you for your voice.
Rejew

Wish you & others in line with your efforts, all success.
H. Hakimi, Oslo – Norway

Congratulations from one (of many – I’m sure) Canadian – I wish you every success in your extremely worthwhile and urgently needed endeavour.
Patrick

Congratulations! You’ve made it out of the muck! You are FREE AND LIBERATED!
I pray for your strength. Also, for your consideration, there are many more such as yourself.
Emel- an ex-Muslim girl in Germany

I have just read an article on Richard Dawkin’s website by AC Grayling about your council of ex-Muslims being setup in Britain. I am just writing to wish you all the best and all the success in the world with all that you have set out to do. I have never been a Muslim (was brought up to be a Protestant Christian but am now an atheist), but I have read a lot about Islam and find it the most shocking, rambling belief system I have ever heard of. I thought Christianity was bad for its sheer contradictory nature but Islam runs rings around it. I agree with your message that church and state should be separate and the enforcing of any religious doctrine removed from our schools. When I was at primary school in the 1970’s we had to read a passage from the Bible every day. We had visits from the local minister so he could teach us about Jesus in our classrooms once a week. Why? It wasn’t even a faith school that I attended and I got that crap rammed down my throat. Sorry for the rant. I shall leave that there in-case I get too carried away!
Keith McWhan

I am 30 male, graduate, ex Muslim but not atheist (soft agnostic monotheist with a loving and benevolent God/Allah/ishwar /wahguru/Yahuda/whatever you call HER Mother creator). I was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, nomad working and living in different parts of world – Arabia UK and Europe, Pakistan. Global anti-imperialism is my mission. I hate religious bigotry, fundamentalist Christian and Muslim zealots alike. I am anti war and a human rights activist.
Mohammed

Add my name to your public list of supporters. I am a community filmmaker supporting minority groups struggling for social inclusion. I would like to add my support to the brave council members willing to renounce this despotic, offensive, misogynistic and medieval religion.
Steve Carolan

Congratulations and warm greetings for you, Mina and all the brave women on your end.
Raida, Lebanon

I am an ex-muslim and I am happy to hear you are setting up an ex-muslim council in Europe. I am in Canada, can something similar be done in Canada?
Murtad

Congratulations on launching this great initiative! I hope people take courage from your brave stand. I’ve added a link to your site from mine: http://www.asktheatheists.com
Tomasz

Good luck with your new group. I really think it’s great to be promoting this kind of thing at the moment and offering a secular alternative to the kind of extremist nonsense that the UK press and government seem so eager to pander to or promote. I think you have done a very courageous act in getting involved in this and I take my hat off to you all. It would be nice to see a similar group mobilised to address the excesses of Christianity which sadly seems to be gaining new confidence from the successes of the militancy of the Muhammedites.
Nathan Wild

I’d just like to say how much I admire your courage in standing up for reason against barbaric religious cranks! Keep up the good work,
Andy

Good luck
Adrian

As an ASH (atheist / secularist / humanist) and member of both the NSS and BHA, I was absolutely delighted to read about the formation of your Council, and wish you every success in this important struggle. I recently finished a consultancy assignment with the Conservative Party, and am pleased that both the NSS and BHA are going to have exhibition stands at the coming Party Conference in Blackpool. I look forward with optimism, to a time when the political parties actively court the votes of ASHs. The silence of senior politicians, on issues such as the punishment for apostasy in the Muslim world, is shameful. On a lighter note – would an ex-Muslim ASH be a MASH? Again, good luck with your new organisation.
Mike Buchanan

I was the “Martin from France” who started the discussion on the BBC World Service programme, “Have your say”, along with Maryam, Lord Ahmed and a “Mohammed” from Manchester last Thursday evening. I just wanted to voice my support for your bravery in the face of Islamic intolerance and intimidation. The point I made the other night was that such behaviour comes straight from the 7th century. I also felt, especially in the case of The Satanic Verses, that those protesting against that book and against Rushdie’s knighthood validated the old saying, “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king”. The blind are the masses who have certainly never read the book but believe what their leaders, their mullahs, the one-eyed, who perhaps have only ever been educated in the Koran, tell them. I also feel, but never got the chance to say so on the programme, that much of the language these Islamists, especially in Iran, use, is 7th century and has no place in a modern society. Words such as “apostate”, “jihad” and “infidel”. And the idea that one can issue a death sentence against someone because of what he may or may not have written is just barbaric.
Martin Pooley

I am not eligible to join your organisation as I am an ex Roman Catholic rather than an ex Muslim. One time we thought we may be the largest denomination in the world. You guys may come to give us a run for our money. Joy to that.
Bryan Tully

I’ve not mentioned to you how fantastic I think your Council for Ex-Muslim’s initiative is (although I do seem to be telling everybody else). You have my utmost admiration and even though I am not an ex-Muslim (although I ‘am’ and ex-Methodist … in many ways far more oppressive) if I can help in any way I would be delighted to be asked.
Ian

Allow me to express my deepest respect for your decision of leaving Islam. I know, it has been a very hard decision to take, and personally, I don’t think, I would have had the courage to take the same decision, if I was in your position.
LARS NIELSEN

Congratulations and best wishes for your efforts.

I would join myself, except that I am not a Muslim, ex-Muslim, or British.
Neil Bishop

I wish you all good fortune. Too many people in Britain are seen as racist when in fact they don’t like Islam because they think its human rights are appalling and it’s history bloody and subversive. I hope you all do much good and enjoy the rest of your lives.
Linda Jordan-Freedman

I am not a British national nor a Muslim, I live in Toronto Canada. I am an Atheist and would simply like to extend my support for your organization.
gg

I have just been looking at your wonderful website; it is certainly very refreshing to read something by people who really want to have a proper secular society! This is especially welcome from someone who has been campaigning against religious interference in education for a long time and who has witnessed the problems of a Muslim ex-colleague who wanted to (and eventually did) marry her non-Muslim boyfriend. Your site is an example to us all, maybe it is about time someone did the same for ex-Christians etc.
Natacha

I want to offer you my heartfelt warmest support for coming forward with your ex-council of Muslims association. The movement that you have so bravely established looks as though it is exactly the kind of forward movement thinking that this country has needed for a long time. For too long now, has the government been intimidated by a persistent, rather aggressive minority force and their constant demands for appeasement. It is tearing the country apart. Their insistence for power to stop free speech and criticism of their faith is quite alarming, and the infiltration of such Muslim bodies into government, political media and literature spheres is truly alarming. I also have reason to believe that the aggressive threat of ‘holy jihad’ on us as a western society is well and truly happening behind and in front of the scenes by Islamists. Trust me, you have the British public backing you all the way, and it is time for us to all move forward on this issue, and address the issues that those forces in question try to silence. I, like so many others here in Britain, offer you my strongest support and encouragement to bring your council into full prominence.
Angelica, London Resident

Hi, well done for being so very brave.
Carl

I have just heard of the existence of your organisation and would like to wish you well in all your endeavours.
Pete

Well done to all of you for speaking out. It’s a pity you need an organization like this to speak out against the tyranny of religion. You deserve as much support as you can get. Unfortunately I don’t see this weak-minded government offering you much. They are running scared of upsetting anyone except of course you and I. Once again a BIG well done. Very brave.
Paul

Congratulations of the establishment of CEMB, which I learnt of through the British Humanist Association. I wish you every success for the future.
Nick Burton

Congratulations, Maryam! All the best with this.
Frank

Just a message of luck, you are brave people and you have more support than you know, lots of people I know are tired of the trouble religion brings, its become a weapon not a support tool for men and women which I believe it should be.
GL

Thank you for standing up to terrorism as practiced by many countries and individual Muslims.I wish you good luck and safety!!
Ed
Reno, Nevada, USA

I congratulate you on leaving Islam and about the good work you are involved with when it comes to human rights and women’s issues.
Roy

Congratulations on your formation! As an avid reader of the reports emanating from Islam-watch, faithfreedom and globalpolitician and the main works of Bat Ye’or, I am heartened by the counter attack on the ideology that most threatens to undermine the values of the 18th century Enlightenment.

Best wishes for your future growth and influence
Russell Webb

It is only recently that I have learnt the truth of Islam and what its effects are on western society and culture. I am a (non-religious) Buddhist, and I believe in reason and compassion above all else. I oppose the hateful teachings of Islam.
Matthew MacDonald
Andover, England

I wish to congratulate you and the others who have joined and formed the CEMB to fight for human rights, freedom and dignity. It will be a long fight and as long as the truth comes out and people are informed the truth will win.
V.

I write to express my support for your actions, and for many of you, your bravery in setting up this UK branch. I wish you much success, and please let me know if I and my own small group can help.
Gareth Roberts
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