HaRamadan Special: International Atheist Day
A 2-Hour Live Online Event by Ex-Muslims International
🗓️ Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM EDT (New York City), 2 PM GMT (London)
📍 Location: Live on YouTube @SecularSpirit.  Link here.
Join Ex-Muslims International for a 2-hour live online event celebrating International Atheist Day during the last and holiest week of Ramadan! This HaRamadan Special brings together Ex-Muslim activists, organizations, health and mental health professionals, authors, artivists, organizers, and leaders to share their experiences, challenges, and perspectives on the holy month of hangry games as godless non-believers.
Don’t miss this global gathering of infidels and apostates uniting in defiance, resilience, and celebration of the disbelief in Allah during Ramadan.
#HaRamadanSpecial #ExMuslimsInternational

21 March 2025, Ramadan and its impact on women’s rights, health and bodily autonomy
7:00-9:00pm, Central London
Discussion with Maryam Namazie, Veiled Rose and Yasmine Elbaramawy

Tickets are available here.

Tickets are £5. Please note refunds are not available.

BIOGRAPHIES

Maryam Namazie is an Iranian-born campaigner and writer. She is Spokesperson of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and One Law for All. She is the instigator behind the Celebrating Dissent conferences, the largest gatherings of ex-Muslims in history since 2014. During decades of activism, Maryam has organised numerous actions, including #Hair4Freedom and #BodyRiot in support of women in Iran, executive produced Women Leaving Islam and published The Woman’s Quran. The Islamic regime of Iran’s media outlets have called Namazie ‘immoral, a harlot and corrupt.’ Her TedX talk on ‘Creativity in Challenging Islamic Fundamentalism’ was censored and labelled ‘distressing and objectionable.’ Namazie has faced many attempts at censorship, including by Warwick University Student Union and Goldsmiths Islamic Society. Maryam and the CEMB have been featured in a 2016 film by Deeyah Khan called ‘Islam’s Non-Believers.’ She was also a character in DV8 Physical Theatre ‘Can We Talk About This?’ Maryam is winner of numerous awards, including IBKA Sapio award (2022), the 2017 Henry H. Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism award; 2016 International Laicite Prize from the Comité Laïcité République; the National Secular Society’s Secularist of the Year Award (2005); and the Julia B. Friedman Humanitarian Award (1987), amongst others. She has written many articles on women’s rights issues, free expression, Islamism, and secularism and co-authored Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights (One Law for All, June 2010), Enemies Not Allies: The Far-Right (One Law for All, August 2011), and The Political and Legal Status of Apostates in Islam (CEMB, August 2017).

Veiled Rose is an ex-Muslim activist passionate about advocating for human rights for all and determined to call out human rights abuses whoever the perpetrator and wherever and whenever the abuse occurs. The fight for human rights is a collective global struggle no excuses, such as cultural relativism will ever suffice. She is Social Media and Communications Manager for Faithless Hijabi, members of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Ex-Muslims International and a journalist published in A Further Inquiry magazine.

Yasmine El Baramawy is an Egyptian composer, video artist, sound designer and women’s rights activist. She has created a distinctive style that combines the virtuosity of the Oud -one of the world’s oldest instruments- with electronic experimentation, developing her work she creates her unique cosmic sonic experience using with her Semi-acoustic Oud live manipulations mixed with audio/visual messages she captured from life; voicing as a dense auditory landscape of concrete music along with spoken words mixed with her live melodic vocals. She sings, performs and shows her interactions with life surroundings promptly. Yasmine is a vocal proponent of human rights addressing issues of gender-based violence, where she contributed to form an overwhelming wave of mobilisation pushing the government to issue the law against sexual harassment in Egypt back in 2014, she was the first woman to break the taboo of gang rape/mob attacks in her society. Her main focus was to transfer the stigma from the victim to the criminal; where she only comprehends that was/is/will be the right place for it.

Date and Time: 6 March, 14:00 for a 14:30 start. The event ends at 17:00
Venue: Committee Room 4a, Houses of Parliament
Activists, judges, lawyers and artists will join together to show solidarity with the countless courageous women in Afghanistan, Iran and elsewhere who are demanding equality and rights at great risk of their lives and to call on the international community to fulfil its common legal responsibility to recognise gender apartheid as a crime against humanity. The afternoon is chaired by Helena Kennedy KC. Panellists are actress Ariane Hejazi, former senior judge in the Supreme Court of Afghanistan and head of the Violence against Women Court Fawzia Amini, former Afghan civil judge Ferozan Easar Qasimi, One Law for All Spokesperson Maryam Namazie and Co-Founder of Project Resist Pragna Patel. There will also be screenings of The Red Suitcase (Short 2022), Rise (short 2023) and Bread and Roses (Trailer 2024), a Daf performance by percussionist Sara Fotros and music by Kurdish/Alevi singer Suna Alan. The event is sponsored by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, One Law for All and Project Resist.
Tickets are available here.

Join a discussion with Taha Siddiqui, Ali Malik and Maryam Namazie to mark the upcoming 18th anniversary of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and World Refugee Day.

Taha will launch his graphic novel called ‘Dissident Club,’ newly published in English which traces his emancipation as an ex Muslim.

The event is organised by CEMB and One Law for All.

7:00-9:00pm, Central London

Tickets: £5

Get tickets here.

BIOGRAPHIES

Taha Siddiqui is a Pakistani journalist who won the Albert Londres Award 2014. He had to flee Pakistan after surviving an assassination attempt by the Pakistani army. He is the founder of the Dissident Club, a socio-cultural bar in the heart of Paris. He is the author of a graphic novel called ‘Dissident Club’ which traces his emancipation as an ex Muslim. In exile in France, he continues to write for several international publications such as the Washington Post, the Guardian and Foreign Policy magazine. He is also a visiting faculty member at Sciences Po, teaching Journalism.

Maryam Namazie is an Iranian-born campaigner and writer. She is Spokesperson of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and One Law for All. She is the instigator behind the Celebrating Dissent conferences, the largest gatherings of ex-Muslims in history since 2014. During decades of activism, Maryam has organised numerous actions, including #Hair4Freedom and #BodyRiot in support of women in Iran, executive produced Women Leaving Islam and published The Woman’s Quran. The Islamic regime of Iran’s media outlets have called Namazie ‘immoral, a harlot and corrupt.’ Her TedX talk on ‘Creativity in Challenging Islamic Fundamentalism’ was censored and labelled ‘distressing and objectionable.’ Namazie has faced many attempts at censorship, including by Warwick University Student Union and Goldsmiths Islamic Society. Maryam and the CEMB have been featured in a 2016 film by Deeyah Khan called ‘Islam’s Non-Believers.’ She was also a character in DV8 Physical Theatre ‘Can We Talk About This?’ Maryam is winner of numerous awards, including IBKA Sapio award (2022), the 2017 Henry H. Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism award; 2016 International Laicite Prize from the Comité Laïcité République; the National Secular Society’s Secularist of the Year Award (2005); and the Julia B. Friedman Humanitarian Award (1987), amongst others. She has written many articles on women’s rights issues, free expression, Islamism, and secularism and co-authored Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights (One Law for All, June 2010), Enemies Not Allies: The Far-Right (One Law for All, August 2011), and The Political and Legal Status of Apostates in Islam (CEMB, August 2017).

Urgent: Free Betty: Jailed for a T-shirt

Protest 27 Aug, London

Join protest in defence of Moroccan activist Ibtissame Betty Lachgar, who has been imprisoned and faces trial on Wednesday 27 August after sharing a photo wearing a T-shirt that read “Allah is a Lesbian.” Being LGBT is not an insult; criticism of religion is not a crime. Blasphemy laws have no place in any society.

Event details

Date: Wednesday 27 August 2025

Time: 15:00–16:00

Location: Moroccan Embassy, 49 Queen’s Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE

Hosts: Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB), Ex-Muslims International (ExMI), and Faithless Hijabi

Why this matters
Moroccan authorities arrested and detained Betty for “insulting Islam” after the T-shirt photo circulated online. Reports note she could face up to five years in prison under Morocco’s blasphemy provisions. Her case has drawn international attention and condemnation from rights groups.

Press release (Ex-Muslims International):
“Ex-Muslims International Launches #FreeBetty Campaign ahead of Apostasy Day” (published Aug 20, 2025) – background, legal context, and campaign demands.

Please join us on 27 Aug, 3–4pm at the Moroccan Embassy in London. Bring placards if you can (messages like “Free Betty,” “Being LGBT is not an insult,” “Blasphemy is not a crime.”)

Hashtags: #FreeBetty #EndBlasphemyLaws #EndApostophobia #ApostasyDay2025

On Blasphemy Day, Call for Decriminalisation of blasphemy laws and #FreeBetty

30 September 2025, Blasphemy Day action organised by Ex-Muslims International (of which CEMB is a founding member organisation).

Join public action on Blasphemy Day in support of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar who has been imprisoned in Morocco for two and a half years for wearing a t-shirt with the slogan a ‘Allah is Lesbian.’ Call for the decriminalisation of blasphemy and for Betty’s immediate release. Tag: @MarocDiplomatie @ChefGov_ma @UNHumanRights @amnesty @hrw

Take up to three photos, mugshot style (blur your face if needed). Hold a sign or add text on your photo like: #FreeBetty #BlasphemyDay2025. Post it with a short caption such as:

Blasphemy is not a crime and no one should be jailed for a t-shirt! #FreeBetty #BlasphemyDay2025

If Betty can be imprisoned for a t-shirt, any of us could. #FreeBetty #BlasphemyDay2025

Betty is a cancer survivor. She urgently needs medical care. #FreeBetty #BlasphemyDay2025

FiLiA Largest Feminist Conference in Europe. Brighton
Date: 10-12 October 2025

Friday 10 October, 4-5:30Pm, Panel Discussion on Apartheid Against Women: A Crime Against Humanity with Gita Sahgal, Maryam Aldossari, Maryam Namazie, Munira Baharaki and Pragna Patel.

Saturday 11 October, 4-5:30pm, Celebrating Dissent: Blasphemous Women with Ibtissame Betty Lachgar*, Maryam Namazie and Yasmine Elbaramawy.
More information here.

* Betty is currently in prison in Morocco. We will be calling for her immediate and unconditional release.

Join a discussion with Anna Zobnina, Ibtissame Betty Lachgar and Maryam Namazie on Secularism is a Woman’s Issue. The event will be chaired by Ali Malik.

Organised by CEMB and One Law for All.

Friday 3 October 2025. 7:00-8:30pm, Central London

Tickets: £5. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.

BIOGRAPHIES

Anna Zobnina is a feminist policy expert with over 15 years of experience in European and international advocacy. She specialises in male violence, sexual exploitation, and the rights of migrant and refugee women. Her work spans research, policy development, and movement strategy, with a focus on centering sex-based rights in law and practice.

Ibtissame Betty Lachgar is a clinical psychologist specialised in criminology and victimology, particularly violence against women and sexual violence. She is co-founder and Leader of MALI (Alternative Movement for Individual Liberties), which is universalist, feminist and secularist. The civil disobedience movement fights for individual liberties, against discrimination and breaks taboos. Their first action in 2009 was a picnic during the day in Ramadan to protest against the law which condemns those “known as Muslim” who do not fast to 6 months in prison. In 2012, she invited the NGO Women on Waves from the Netherlands (Abortion Boat) to fight for the right to abortion and for the decriminalisation of abortion. She also organised a Kiss-in in 2013 and coloured Rabat’s fountains in red in 2017 in the fight against violence against women. She initiated the first LGBT movement in Morocco in 2012, the IDAHOT. Ibtissame has been the victim of sexual assault by the police whilst in custody for her protests in Sept 2016.

Maryam Namazie is an Iranian-born campaigner and writer. She is Spokesperson of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and One Law for All. She is the instigator behind the Celebrating Dissent conferences, the largest gatherings of ex-Muslims in history since 2014. During decades of activism, Maryam has organised numerous actions, including #Hair4Freedom and #BodyRiot in support of women in Iran, executive produced Women Leaving Islam and published The Woman’s Quran. Maryam and the CEMB have been featured in a 2016 film by Deeyah Khan called ‘Islam’s Non-Believers.’ She was also a character in DV8 Physical Theatre ‘Can We Talk About This?’ Maryam is winner of numerous awards.

Ali Malik is Co-spokesperson of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain.

Monthly Meetup in London

Monthly Meetups are held on the third Monday of every month, 7-8pm UK time in central London. Meetups are run by Ali Malik.

Victoria Gugenheim is an award-winning body painter, artist, and make-up artist, Victoria is also the resident artist for CEMB.

Drawing before she could talk, starting makeup at age 6, progressing to face and bodypainting at 9, Victoria Gugenheim has always had an intense drive to create. Deeply studious and compulsively curious, it is this intense need to understand the world around us that fuels her desire to create beautiful works that provoke a reaction, and make people think. Her drive is to understand why we do what we do, and how we can become more than we are.

Through her questioning of the world and her research into art and our origins, she has become passionate about the necessity of, and merges, art with science. She believes art and science share a common ancestor with the human imagination, and without imagination there can be no hypothesising.  Art is the first visual, material, tangible “What if?” that humanity had, and it started 300,000 years ago deep in the caves near the twin Zambini Rivers of Zimbabwe. There, Homo Heildelbergenesis created the first known art; art on the human body. This was used for rituals, accessing altered states of consciousness, tribal hierarchies, and more besides. The key was its immediate, visceral effect that had the capacity to transform our ancestors into greater versions of themselves. After learning of this, she was hooked on bodypainting and makeup for good.

 Victoria’s art, both mainstream and alternative, has been part of a lifelong quest of both adorning and “de-othering” people through art, public speaking and personal aesthetic choice, and understands that when someone others another human being, it dehumanizes them, objectifies them and makes them a target for everything, from stereotyping at best to at worst, victims of violence, poverty and death; This is most oftentimes caused by fear born of ignorance. Through connecting art, science, visual representations of the self, human rights activism and questioning what we can become both aesthetically and intellectually, Victoria has carved a niche that no other artist to date has dared step into.

Fully committed to living her art, Victoria is not afraid of standing out in the crowd, and encourages others to raise their voices and be heard in a world which cherishes the average over the individual. She believes that only with the realisation of yourself and a willingness to connect with others without othering them, can humanity progress.

Her art ranges from bodypainting, makeup, photography, performances, installations, digital art, clothing design, drawing and painting, merging with science and technology. Never wanting to be limited, she sought out any media necessary to make a concept work- and it is this industriousness that has helped bring her her current success.

Her clients have included Cirque le Soir, Nokia, London Fashion Week, Models of Diversity, Charlotte Church, Alice Cooper’s Halloween Night of Fear, Girls Roc and The World Bodypainting Festival among many others, as well as private commissions that are undertaken with great care, attention to detail and patience. She uses bodypainting as a way of empowering the human spirit, giving the person painted a new found confidence that can be life changing.

Monthly Meetup in London

Monthly Meetups are held on the third Monday of every month, 7-8pm UK time in central London. Meetups are run by Ali Malik.

Ibtissame Betty Lachgar is Moroccan. She is a clinical psychologist specialised in Criminology and Victimology, in the fight against sexist and sexual violence. In 2009, she founded the Alternative Movement for Individual Liberties (M.A.L.I.) in Morocco. As a result of her activism, she has been the target of harassment, intimidation and threats, as well as arbitrary arrests and prosecution.

CEMB is organising a picnic at embassies that persecute those who refuse to fast during Ramadan on 18 March at 4pm. The picnic will be followed by a Meet-Up in Central London with Betty Ibtissame Lachgar, the founder of Alternative Movement for Individual Liberties (M.A.L.I.) in Morocco. She will speak of their fast-defying actions in Morocco. To join picnic at embassies including of Iran, Morocco, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and meet-up, please contact Ali Malik at ali.malik@ex-muslim.org.uk.

Join monthly support groups to talk about issues that affect ex-Muslims.

CEMB currently has two 90-minute online sessions on the first Monday and Wednesday of every month, 6.30-8.00pm UK time. There is also a woman’s support group on the second Monday of every month. The sessions are led by Counselling Psychologist Dr SAVIN BAPIR-TARDY.

If you have never attended a session before, please email hello@council-of-ex-muslims-of-britain-e5a565.ingress-baronn.ewp.live.

Join monthly support groups to talk about issues that affect ex-Muslims.

CEMB currently has two 90-minute online sessions on the first Monday and Wednesday of every month, 6.30-8.00pm UK time. There is also a woman’s support group on the second Monday of every month. The sessions are led by Counselling Psychologist Dr SAVIN BAPIR-TARDY.

If you have never attended a session before, please email hello@council-of-ex-muslims-of-britain-e5a565.ingress-baronn.ewp.live.

Monthly Meetups are held on the third Monday of every month, 7-8pm UK time in central London. Meetups are run by Ali Malik.

About the Speaker:

Megan Manson is head of campaigns at the NSS. She previously worked for the Japanese government promoting cultural exchange and language learning. She has long been active in local interfaith initiatives.

World Award-winning body painter and world-ranking make-up artist, Victoria Gugenheim is a revolutionary pushing the boundaries of her craft, integrating it with fantasy, high fashion, fine art, fact and fortitude with an impeccable track record.

We are very lucky to have Victoria running a body painting workshop as part of the Spring Mayven Festival. In this female only space, Victoria will introduce how to utilise bodypainting as a means of self-expression, working through trauma, embracing personal power and radical autonomy away from the male gaze.

Photos will only be taken with explicit consent given, and women will have a chance to sign up to her new documentary and exhibition project,  Painted Powerful: My Body is Mine.

Tickets: £10, £8 concessions or pay what you can. Book here.

Victoria Gugenheim is a world award winning bodypainter and world ranking makeup artist.

She has worked on clients as diverse as Marvel, Charlotte Church, Wintercon, and has been in a number of feature films including James Bond. A woman’s rights and  human rights activist, she has also worked for CEMB with Maryam Namazie for the part decade, helping women who have fled oppressive Islamist regimes work with their body  as radical protest.

You can follow Victoria on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Monthly Meetup in London

Monthly Meetups are held on the third Monday of every month, 7-8pm UK time in central London. Meetups are run by Ali Malik.

More than 50 freethinkers from Afghanistan, Algeria, Australia (including Cape Malay), Bangladesh, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, France, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Tunisia, UK, Ukraine, USA and the Diaspora will gather in Oslo during 31 August – 1 September 2024 for Celebrating Dissent Oslo. The two day conference is a continuation of the hugely successful Celebrating Dissent conferences held in London (2014), London (2017), Amsterdam (2019), Cologne (2022) and Paris (2023) in what has become the largest gathering of ex-Muslims across the globe.

Organised in Oslo by the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Dømmekraft, the event will pay tribute to taboo-breaking ex-Muslim comedian Shabana Rehman and celebrate blasphemy, apostasy and freedom of expression through discussions, poetry, film, protest art, and music.

Contributors: Ahmedur Chowdhury, Aleem (Secular Spirit) , Ali Malik, Ali Rizvi, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Apostate Aladdin, Arnfinn Pettersen, Cemal Knudsen Yucel, Dan Barker, Eirik Løkke, FarAvaz, Fariborz Pooya, Fauzia Ilyas, Halima Salat, Haram Doodles, Ibn Warraq, Ibtissame Betty Lachgar, Infidel Noodle, Inna Shevchenko, Jimmy Bangash, Khadija Khan, Krystel Antoni, Lawrence Krauss, Lisa-Marie Taylor, Mariam Aliyu, Marieme Helie Lucas, Maryam Namazie, Milad Resaeimanesh, Mimzy Vidz, Mohammad Hisham, Morten Guldburg, Mouhammad El Jabbari, Nada Peratovic, Nadia El Fani, Nazmiye Oral, Nina Sankari, Rahila Gupta, Rana Ahmad, Sami Abdallah, Sanal Edamaruku, Sara Nabil, Shakeel Rehman, Shelley Segal, Sohail (Reason on Faith), Stephen Evans, Sylo Taraku, Taha Siddiqui, Veedu Vidz, Victoria Gugenheim, Wissam Charafeddine, Zara Kay and Zehra Pala.

Topics: Creativity and Humour in Challenging Fundamentalisms and Defending Free Expression, Racism, Identity Politics and Free Expression, Laicite as a Cornerstone of Free Expression and Rights, The Ex-Muslims: Canaries in the Coal Mine, Islam’s Nonbelievers: Terror, Trauma, Transformation, Censorship, Offence and Free Speech, Science and Rationality challenging Dogma and Blasphemous Women: Touching the Sacred.

Conference Organisers:

Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain was established in June 2007 to break the taboo that comes with leaving Islam, highlight the plight of ex Muslims, and challenge apostasy and blasphemy laws. CEMB stands against all forms of bigotry and unequivocally defends reason, freedom of conscience and expression, rights and secularism. Over the last 17 years, CEMB has provided assistance to thousands of ex Muslims worldwide, created support groups, solidarity actions and educational materials and helped establish Ex Muslims International. Maryam Namazie, CEMB Spokesperson, has been the instigator behind the international conferences.

Dømmekraft is a secular thinktank established in January 2022. The founders are Morten Guldberg and Lovise Lindtner. The organisation publishes articles, reviews and interviews, and also sets up conferences, debates and other public events to counteract fake news and extremist views and embodies a Humanist outlook, including in support of basic human rights, democracy, equality, freedom of speech and critical thinking.

Conference Sponsors:

Center for Inquiry, Civita, Freedom from Religion Foundation, Fritt Ord, Human-Etisk Forbund, Human-Etisk Forbund Oslo and National Secular Society.

The link to purchase tickets can be found here.

Monthly Meetup in London

Monthly Meetups are held on the third Monday of every month, 7-8pm UK time in central London. Meetups are run by Ali Malik.

Gita Sahgal is a writer, journalist, film-maker and rights activist. She is a member of the editorial collective of the journal Feminist Dissent which examines gender, fundamentalism and secularism. She is a Spokesperson for One Law for All and Produced ‘Women Leaving Islam’ for the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. She was a Founder of Centre for Secular Space which published ‘ The Muslim Right, the Anglo-American Left and Universal Human Rights’ by Meredith Tax. She was formerly Head of the Gender Unit at Amnesty International; she was suspended in 2010 after she was quoted criticising Amnesty for its high-profile associations with the Islamist Moazzam Begg, the director of a group called Cage Prisoners. For many years she served on the board of Southall Black Sisters and was a founder of Women Against Fundamentalism and Awaaz: South Asia Watch. With Nira Yival Davis, she edited ‘Refusing Holy Orders: Women and Fundamentalism in Britain’ (London, 1992). Among her articles are ‘Legislating Utopia? Violence Against Women, Identities and Interventions’ in ‘The Situated Politics of Belonging.’ During the 1980s, she worked for a Black current affairs programme called “Bandung File” on Channel 4 TV. She made two films about the Rushdie affair, ‘Hullaballoo Over Satanic Verses’ and ‘Struggle or Submission.’ She has also made two programmes for Dispatches Channel 4, ‘The Provoked Wife’ on the case of Kiranjit Ahluwalia and ‘The War Crimes File,’ an investigation into allegations of war crimes, committed by members of the Jamaat i Islami in Bangladesh in 1971.

More than 50 freethinkers from Afghanistan, Algeria, Australia (including Cape Malay), Bangladesh, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, France, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Tunisia, UK, Ukraine, USA and the Diaspora will gather in Oslo during 31 August – 1 September 2024 for Celebrating Dissent Oslo. The two day conference is a continuation of the hugely successful Celebrating Dissent conferences held in London (2014), London (2017), Amsterdam (2019), Cologne (2022) and Paris (2023) in what has become the largest gathering of ex-Muslims across the globe.

Organised in Oslo by the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Dømmekraft, the event will pay tribute to taboo-breaking ex-Muslim comedian Shabana Rehman and celebrate blasphemy, apostasy and freedom of expression through discussions, poetry, film, protest art, and music.

Contributors: Ahmedur Chowdhury, Aleem (Secular Spirit) , Ali Malik, Ali Rizvi, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Apostate Aladdin, Arnfinn Pettersen, Cemal Knudsen Yucel, Dan Barker, Eirik Løkke, FarAvaz, Fariborz Pooya, Fauzia Ilyas, Halima Salat, Haram Doodles, Ibn Warraq, Ibtissame Betty Lachgar, Infidel Noodle, Inna Shevchenko, Jimmy Bangash, Khadija Khan, Krystel Antoni, Lawrence Krauss, Lisa-Marie Taylor, Mariam Aliyu, Marieme Helie Lucas, Maryam Namazie, Milad Resaeimanesh, Mimzy Vidz, Mohammad Hisham, Morten Guldburg, Mouhammad El Jabbari, Nada Peratovic, Nadia El Fani, Nazmiye Oral, Nina Sankari, Rahila Gupta, Rana Ahmad, Sami Abdallah, Sanal Edamaruku, Sara Nabil, Shakeel Rehman, Shelley Segal, Sohail (Reason on Faith), Stephen Evans, Sylo Taraku, Taha Siddiqui, Veedu Vidz, Victoria Gugenheim, Wissam Charafeddine, Zara Kay and Zehra Pala.

Topics: Creativity and Humour in Challenging Fundamentalisms and Defending Free Expression, Racism, Identity Politics and Free Expression, Laicite as a Cornerstone of Free Expression and Rights, The Ex-Muslims: Canaries in the Coal Mine, Islam’s Nonbelievers: Terror, Trauma, Transformation, Censorship, Offence and Free Speech, Science and Rationality challenging Dogma and Blasphemous Women: Touching the Sacred.

Conference Organisers:

Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain was established in June 2007 to break the taboo that comes with leaving Islam, highlight the plight of ex Muslims, and challenge apostasy and blasphemy laws. CEMB stands against all forms of bigotry and unequivocally defends reason, freedom of conscience and expression, rights and secularism. Over the last 17 years, CEMB has provided assistance to thousands of ex Muslims worldwide, created support groups, solidarity actions and educational materials and helped establish Ex Muslims International. Maryam Namazie, CEMB Spokesperson, has been the instigator behind the international conferences.

Dømmekraft is a secular thinktank established in January 2022. The founders are Morten Guldberg and Lovise Lindtner. The organisation publishes articles, reviews and interviews, and also sets up conferences, debates and other public events to counteract fake news and extremist views and embodies a Humanist outlook, including in support of basic human rights, democracy, equality, freedom of speech and critical thinking.

Conference Sponsors:

Center for Inquiry, Civita, Freedom from Religion Foundation, Fritt Ord, Human-Etisk Forbund, Human-Etisk Forbund Oslo and National Secular Society.

The link to purchase tickets can be found here.

This year, we demand an end to apostophobia, because leaving Islam is a human right!

Apostophobia, or the fear, hatred, discomfort with, hostility towards, or discrimination against apostates, is rampant in Muslim families and Islamic states because apostasy is a forbidden and punishable sin in Islam, by death according to Shariah.

With no or restricted access to support, safety and freedom, Ex-Muslims are continuing to suffer hateful, violent and fatal consequences like being disowned, abused, imprisoned or even killed, just for leaving Islam.

This Ex-Muslim Awareness Month in December 2024, we invite you to share your stories of apostophobia, amplify Ex-Muslim voices, and join in calling an end to the hate and harm people experience for leaving Islam!

2024 Ex-Muslim Awareness Month Hashtags

#EndApostophobia #ExMuslimAwarenessMonth

Definition of Apostophobia:

Apostophobia is the fear, hatred, discomfort with, hostility to, or discrimination against Apostates. This sentiment is a form or racism and a person who harbours it is called an Apostophobic. Apostates are described as people who have left a religious in-group to join an out-group, left their religious in-group and became non-religious, or left a religious out-group to join another out-group.

About Ex-Muslim Awareness Month

Ex-Muslim Awareness Month was born out of the Ex-Muslim Subreddit and organized for the first time in 2022 by Haram Doodles! Together with a coalition of Ex-Muslims, including content creators, organisations, and communities of apostates worldwide, this month is dedicated to raising awareness of Ex-Muslims, celebrating the right to apostasy, and advocating for our freedom to leave Islam.

Held immediately after “Islamophobia Awareness Month” in November, Ex-Muslim Awareness Month shines a light on the unique challenges faced by those who have left Islam. For many, this decision comes with life-altering consequences — from community rejection and isolation to threats of violence, persecution, and even death.

Why Ex-Muslim Awareness Month?

For Ex-Muslims, leaving Islam is often a journey fraught with danger, trauma, and loss of community. Apostasy is forbidden in Islam, and leaving the faith can lead to ostracisation, harm, or even state-sanctioned punishment. Most Ex-Muslims are forced to remain hidden to protect themselves from serious risks. This month provides a crucial space for raising awareness, offering support, and promoting the right to freedom of belief.

Get Involved and Support Ex-Muslim Awareness Month by:

• Following and amplifying Ex-Muslim voices on social media using hashtags #ExMuslimMonth, #ExMuslimAwarenessMonth, and #ExMuslimAwarenessMonth2024 #EndApostophobia.
• Learning about Ex-Muslims and the challenges they face. If you’re unfamiliar, start with googling “apostasy in Islam” or explore Ex-Muslim communities on Reddit, Discord, and Telegram.
• Joining a local or online Ex-Muslim organisation, volunteering, or donating to Ex-Muslim causes.
• Advocating safely for Ex-Muslim rights within your own communities, among friends, or even on a policy level.

Let’s work together to make sure that no one has to live in fear for questioning or leaving their faith. This month and beyond, get to know Ex-Muslims, learn about our stories, and support our journey toward freedom and acceptance.

#BODYRIOT for #WomanLifeFreedom
On #HIJABDAY #1Feb
#NOHIJABDAY #IRAN

CEMB, FEMEN & One Law For All are calling for a global day of action to bare breasts and bras as a challenge to Hijab Day and for Woman, Life, Freedom.

Please note that women who would prefer can keep their bras on and/or hide their faces.

Message Jenny Wenhammar or Maryam Namazie to join action.

#بدن_می_آشوبد برای #زن_زندگی_آزادی
در #روز_حجاب
#نه_به_روز_حجاب #ایران

سازمانهای فمن، اکس_مسلم و قانون برابر برای همه فراخوان یک روز جهانی برای سینه‌ها و سوتین‌های برهنه به عنوان چالشی علیه روز حجاب و برای زن، زندگی، آزادی داده اند.

لطفاً توجه داشته باشید که زنانی که ترجیح می دهند می توانند سوتین خود را نگه دارند و/یا صورت خود را پنهان کنند.

برای پیوستن به این اعتراض به جنی ونهمار یا مریم نمازی پیام دهید.

Jenny A Wenhammar
Maryam Namazie
Victoria Gugenheim
Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB)
FEMEN
One Law for All

WORKSHOP: BRINGING THE REVOLUTION HOME: #Iran & #Rojava, 2:30-4:00pm
Interactive workshop led by Rahila Gupta & Maryam Namazie
Woman’s Place Conference

Maryam & Rahila will talk about the revolutions in Iran & Rojava where women are driving the change. The workshop will be full of practical & unexpected ideas on how you can provide solidarity & bridge the political, psychological & geographical distance between you and them.

This is part of a one day feminist conference at The Institute of Education, UCL. Workshops, keynotes, panels, feminist market place, networking & an evening of entertainment.