I grew up in Algeria, a majority Muslim country, within a moderate Muslim family. In my teens, I realised that this religion wasn't for me and that as a woman it was only going to add to the challenge of getting where I wanted to be. The society around me was becoming more radicalised and I had no other choice but to leave. I didn't identify as an ex-muslim even though I didn't believe in Islam, and more generally didn't believe in any god. The reason being that I thought religion was a personal choice and I didn't see the need for the label, but I do now.
There were many instances when I felt the UK and the West in general didn't know how to deal with radical Islam and thought it was dangerous. I remember being shocked to see a little girl who must have been 6 or 7, in a hijab, jumping on an NHS bed at the London Olympics opening ceremony and thinking how is that acceptable, how is this perceived as a good representation of a diverse and inclusive country. All I could see was the grooming of a child. How about her rights as a British girl?
In recent years, months, weeks, I felt the increased urge to call it out, so here I am.
What you guys have started and are trying to do is important and is worthy of support.