Born in the UK, into an Asian-East African Shia household, I was taught the Quran from an early age, made to attend the Mosque on Saturdays for \"education\". It was at age 15 when my views changed, it was around the time of the \"graphic\" cartoons of Muhammed, when I questioned my faith. For a long period of time I\'d only accepted Islam, given that it was hard to believe over a billion people being wrong.
I then questioned many of my madressah school teachers, and recieved inadequate responses. Often, they accused me of disbelief - to avoid answering my questions.
In my experience, heavy anti-jewish sentiment is rife in my community; ignorant \"aunts and uncles\" accusing Jews of the worlds woes.
The activities of many \"religious\" muslims in my community further seperated me from believing in Islam. Many would have girlfriends, drink, smoke etc. I found hypocrisy common.
The hypocrisy of hearing \"muslim\" voices about UK foreign policy. But not wanting to hear freedom of speech when it suits them. The habit of picking and choosing aspects of Islam is idiocy.
By 16, I\'d stopped praying, fasting and only attended mosque if there was a wedding or death. I find it hard to be friends with Muslims, due to my apostacy; very few are accepting. My sister has also abandonded the religon, which is interesting given we both disbeliebed in private, and have only openly done so whilst at University.
I have also faced discrimination, my current girlfriend\'s mother (of Hindu-Indian heritage ), believes that I will try to convert her, and that I haven\'t really left the religion - and to never trust a muslim boy. It angers me that people still associate me with a religion, any religion for that matter - and discriminate. I\'d rather be discriminated for what I am ( an atheist ), than what I\'m not, a muslim.