Hello! I am houzan an ex muslim,I'm quite happy to find this community page as I'm tired lonely and scared! I am originally from iraq, left my country with my parents after the war in 2003, my parents settled in Dubai then they decided to send me to study in the uk as i am the only child for my family they wanted me to have good level of education, and this is where my journey to become a non believer started! i finished my degree in architecture successfully, I loved a non muslim man and had relationship outside marriage with him over nearly 3 years we lived together in the same house, and of course in islam this is a sin... my extended family mainly cousin started threatening me and my parents. but i am lucky I'm in a safe country and they cannot reach me easily as they live in iraq, and dubai. However, for a long time even before starting this relationship i had lots of questions about religion in my head but every time i seek answers i got rejected that these rules are from allah and we are not allowed to questioning him! so i start my own research and study and came to conclusion that religions where made to control the society and control people minds! i had to end my relationship with my partner as his family wanted me to convert to their religion but i didn't want to put myself in another religious cage! .. I rejected islam completely more than couple of years now! tried to keep a low profile to avoid problems but i got tired of that! my extended family start threatening me again and they have influence on my dad as they live in the same country and he is rejecting me now! but my mum still supporting me secretly although i can't see her as she is living abroad! i was thinking of start counsellor sessions to take all these fear and negative thoughts out! and i think getting in touch with similar minds through this council can be helpful as well! sorry for the long statement but its lots of burden i can't keep anymore