| December 3, 2024 |  |
Leaving Islam: A Psychological Perspective on the Journey from Control to Freedom By Dr Savin Bapir-Tardy Leaving Islam, or any high-control group, is a deeply personal and often life-altering decision. It involves stepping away not only from a belief system but also from relationships and communities that have been central to one’s life. A key consequence of this choice is being shunned by the group. Family members, friends, and community ties—often the foundations of support—are frequently severed, leaving the individual isolated and emotionally adrift. This forced disconnection creates a significant challenge, requiring individuals to confront the uncertainty of rebuilding their lives and identities, often without a safety net. For some, the pain of this... Filed as: Press Releases, Resources, Spotlight |
| December 1, 2024 |  |
Ex-Muslim Awareness Month: End Apostophobia 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... Filed as: Featured, Homepage, North America & Pacific, Press Releases |
| November 25, 2024 |  |
100 Women in FEMEN Action against Violence against Women *”Lifting the Veil on Violence Against Women Worldwide”* On November 24, 100 FEMEN activists from different countries, including CEMB’s Spokesperson Maryam Namazie and Resident Artist Victoria Gugenheim, make an uncompromising statement of resistance from Paris to all women everywhere suppressed by theocracies, wars and dictatorships. Marking International Day against Violence against Women, a hundred women march to embody a living symbol of global feminist defiance against patriarchal violence, the oppression of women, and the global surge in authoritarianism. In this act of political rebellion, #FEMEN transforms the Louvre’s forecourt —a monument to elitist cultural power—into a space of revolutionary resistance.... Filed as: Featured, Homepage, Press Releases |
| November 19, 2024 |  |
Feminism and religion are incompatible Read full piece in The Freethinker: Feminism and religion are incompatible, 19 November 2024 This is an edited version of Maryam Namazie’s contribution to a Cambridge Union debate: ‘This House Believes Feminism is Incompatible with Religion’, held on 14 November 2024. Others speaking in Proposition: Phyllis Zagano, Annie Laurie Gaylor, and Pollyanna Greene Wright. Those speaking in Opposition: The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Peter Hitchens, and Lindsay Hansen Park. The debate can be viewed here. Religion and feminism are incompatible. What I mean by religion is organised religion and not personal belief. People are very often born into... Filed as: Featured, Homepage, Press Releases |
| November 10, 2024 |  |
Global Day of Action to Defend Ahoo Daryaei a Huge Success On 2 November, Ahoo, a female student from Tehran’s Science and Research University removed her clothes on campus in protest to being harassed by security forces over mandatory hijab rules. She was violently beaten, arrested and reportedly transferred to a psychiatric ward, labelled mentally ill. This is not a new tactic nor is shaming women’s bodies to silence dissent. On 8 November, FEMEN and One Law for All called for a Global Day of Action to defend Ahoo Daryaei and call for her immediate release. Women were asked to recreate images of Ahoo Daryaei’s brave protest and upload the images... Filed as: Featured, Homepage, Press Releases |
| November 5, 2024 |  |
8 November Day: of Action for #Ahoo Daryaei In Solidarity with Ahoo Daryaei در همبستگی با آهو دریایی 8 Nov, 3:30-4:30pm Piccadilly Circus, London On 2 November, a female student from Tehran’s Science and Research University (apparently called Ahoo Daryaei) removed her clothes on campus in protest to being harassed by security forces over mandatory hijab rules. She was violently beaten, arrested and reportedly transferred to a psychiatric ward. It is the Islamic regime of Iran’s control and suppression of women’s bodies, it is sharia, compulsory veiling, the hatred of women that is the madness, not women’s defiance and screams against misogyny. When being a woman is a... Filed as: Press Releases |
| September 25, 2024 |  |
Celebrating Dissent Oslo, A Landmark Event Celebrating Dissent Oslo, held during 31 August – 1 September 2024, was a resounding success. The event organised by Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) and Dømmekraft focused on blasphemous women and paid homage to Shabana Rehman, the late Norwegian ex-Muslim of Pakistani descent, who was a taboo-breaking comedian and activist. In his tribute, which opened the conference, Shabana’s brother Shakeel Rehman said: ‘Shabana never apologised for her actions; it was the hateful reactions that were the problem and not her actions.’ Photos of Conference Videos of Conference Conference Brochure Conference Schedule of Events Discussions at the two-day international event,... Filed as: Featured, Homepage, Press Releases |
| August 22, 2024 |  |
Today is #ApostasyDay Today is #ApostasyDay, established by #ExMuslims International with @CEMB_forum in 2020. 6,500 have already signed call to end #apostasy laws, commemorate victims & affirm freedom of thought & conscience. Join us. Filed as: Press Releases |
| August 19, 2024 |  |
Oslo hosts a global celebration of human rights and freedom Press release 19.08.24 Oslo will be the host city for an international event that shines a spotlight on freedom, secularism and challenges to the religious-Right whilst paying tribute to Shabana Rehman. Soon, over fifty rights activists from countries such as Iran, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia will gather in Oslo during 31 August-1 September 2024 for Celebrating Dissent, the world’s largest gathering of ex-Muslims. Oslo’s hosting this year reflects the city’s commitment to universal human rights. This year’s event is dedicated to honouring the late comedian and activist Shabana Rehman, a pioneer for freedom of expression in Norway. Rehman was... Filed as: Press Releases |
| August 6, 2024 |  |
Statement on the far-right riots following the Southport attack We, the undersigned, stand in utter condemnation of the murderous violence against girls in Southport and mourn the lives lost and harmed by violence against women and girls in all its forms. We are further alarmed by and we condemn the instrumentalisation of that violence by racists and fascists on the streets and in the corridors of power. Over the weekend racists set fire to hotels housing vulnerable migrants and since then, there have been reports on plans to attack other hotels and immigration advice centres over the next few days. These racist riots follow a pattern honed by white... Filed as: Press Releases |