August 12, 2013
A Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain member, The Rationaliser, has a new website to help with research on Islam or the Quran. Features include: 1: Search 2: Ability to view each verse word-by-word and to see where else in the Quran the same Arabic word is used (helps with context) 3: Verses have links to tafsirs explaining them 4: Verses link to any relevant hadiths 5: Verses also link to the “circumstances of revelation” (Asbab Al Nuzul) Tafsirs included are: • Al-Jalalayn • Al-Tustari • Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi – Tafhim al-Qur’an • Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs Hadith...
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July 8, 2013
The Council of Ex-Muslims of France held a successful launch in Paris hosted by Femmes Solidaires on 6 July 2013. The launch marked the torture and murder of young Frenchman Jean-François Lefevre de la Barre in 1766 for refusing to remove his hat while a religious procession passed by and was a reminder of the countless la Barres facing threats, torture, imprisonment and death for apostasy, blasphemy, heresy, atheism and refusing to comply with Islamist norms. Speakers at the packed event included founding members of the Council of Ex-Muslims of France Waleed Al-Husseini; Atica Samrah; Mehdi Lamrani; Elias Ben Amer...
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July 3, 2013
Dear friend For the past six years, the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) has been a “beacon of hope” for many. As the first organisation of its kind, the CEMB has been established to break the taboo that comes with leaving Islam; highlight the problems ex-Muslims face; provide a network for support; raise awareness; and campaign for freedom of belief and expression, atheism and secularism and against apostasy and Sharia laws. According to Elle Quebec magazine, the launch of the ex-Muslim movement was ‘a real revolution.’ Our activities include assisting ex-Muslims (several thousand over the past 6 years) with their apostate...
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July 3, 2013
The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) held a successful 6th anniversary celebration luncheon in London on 15 June 2013. Guests heard from writer Kenan Malik, Centre for Secular Space Director Gita Sahgal, comedian Kate Smurthwaite, and CEMB co-Spokesperson Maryam Namazie. Magician Neil Edwards also performed. CEMB co-Spokesperson Nahla Mahmoud was Master of Ceremonies. You can see the speeches and comedy act below: Nahla Mahmoud’s speech Kenan Malik’s speech Gita Sahgal’s speech Maryam Namazie’s speech Kate Smurthwaite’s act
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July 2, 2013
My story is long and it started 10 years ago. I know you are concerned with human rights issues and here is my side…do with it as you please. I lived a horrible abused life in Saudi Arabia. I have a blog that describes it all. I came to Canada in 2003 on a medical scholarship to specialize in Anaesthesia. I was sent by the KFNGH (back then) in Riyadh. 2 years into my training I was sexually assaulted at a department held social event by another Saudi Anaesthesia trainee who was from the same hospital I was from. I...
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June 19, 2013
My recent experiences indicate that there is a need for a support organisation in New Zealand (NZ) for those who decide to leave Islam. To my knowledge there currently is no such organisation in place. The needs of ex-Muslims are somewhat unique compared with those leaving other religions. For those turning from Islam to another religion, they will generally have support from the members of that new ‘spiritual home’, but for those for whom that is inadequate, or have turned to atheism, there is currently little or no support available. Skeptic, Rationalist and Humanist groups are active in NZ, but...
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June 4, 2013
Catherine Dunphy, Executive Director of the Clergy Project, has contacted the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain about about incorporating ex-Muslim imams and mullahs into the Clergy Project which is a confidential online community for faithless clergy. If you are an imam and mullah who has finally seen the light, please get in touch with her. Here are more details:
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June 4, 2013
Rim Razek writes to the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain: I was born in Egypt. I come from a strictly religious background; most members of my family are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Despite being brought up by parents who tried to censor art, music, and certain books, I was constantly searching for answers and looking for ways to get around the censorship. By the time I was sixteen, I had read numerous books on philosophy and religion and had come to conclusions that led me to leave Islam, conclusions I knew would make me a social outcast once anyone...
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May 4, 2013
Since 22 year old Imad Iddine Habib founded the Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco (the first public atheist organisation in a country with Islam as the state religion), he has received numerous threats. Morocco’s High Council of Ulemas (the highest government religious institution headed by the King) issued a fatwa decreeing the death penalty for Moroccans who leave Islam. Currently, under Morocco’s penal code, those who “impede or prevent worship” face imprisonment and fines. The threats continue to escalate. Recently, Imad’s father has been interrogated by the secret service. He was told to tell Imad to stop his activities and...
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May 1, 2013
The last email the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain received from 22 year old Imad Iddine Habib, the founder of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco (the first atheist organisation in a country with Islam as a state religion), spoke of more threats and a final warning from the Moroccan government. In the email, he said: My Father has been interviewed by secret agents at work, they asked him about my activities, my beliefs, my relations and if some foreigners visit me, and they told him that I have to stop, and that I am considered an enemy of the...
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