I’ll be leaving soon for Paris for the launch of Council of Ex-Muslims of France.

It’s this Saturday 6 July 2013, 14.00-17.00 hours
Paris, France

If you can, join us. 

Place: Maison des Ensembles, 3-5 rue d’Aligre, Paris 75012. ( Salle au premier étage, à côté des locaux de Femmes Solidaires et de Clara Magazine).

PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE MEETING AT cafem1310@live.fr. IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED, YOU WILL NOT BE GIVEN ENTRY INTO THE MEETING.

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On 1 July, the young Frenchman Jean-François Lefevre de la Barre (September 12, 1745 – July 1, 1766) was tortured and murdered before his body was burnt on a pyre along with Voltaire’s “Philosophical Dictionary” for refusing to remove his hat while a religious procession passed by.

Today, countless la Barres face threats, torture, imprisonment and death for apostasy, blasphemy, heresy, and refusing to comply with Islamist norms.

To commemorate la Barre and to stand with the many men and women who refuse and resist, we announce the launch of the Council of Ex-Muslims of France on Saturday 6 July 2013, 14.00-17.00 hours.

Speakers include Palestinian blogger Waleed Al-Husseini, Tunisian Filmmaker Nadia El-Fani, Secularism is a Women’s Issue Coordinator Marieme Helie Lucas, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain’s Maryam Namazie and more.

The Council of Ex-Muslims of France has the following aims:

1. We call for universal rights and full equality and oppose tolerance of inhuman beliefs, discrimination and ill-treatment in the name of respecting religion and culture.

2. Freedom to criticise religion. Prohibition of restrictions on unconditional freedom of criticism and expression using so-called religious ‘sanctities’.

3. Freedom of religion and atheism

4. Separation of religion from the state and the educational and legal system

5. Prohibition of religious customs, rules, ceremonies or activities that are incompatible with or infringe people’s rights and freedoms

6. Abolition of all restrictive and repressive cultural and religious customs which hinder and contradict woman’s independence, free will and equality. Prohibition of segregation of sexes.

7. Prohibition of interference by any authority, family members or relatives, or official authorities in the private lives of women and men and their personal, emotional and sexual relationships and sexuality

8. Protection of children from manipulation and abuse by religion and religious institutions

9. Prohibition of any kind of financial, material or moral support by the state or state institutions to religion and religious activities and institutions.

10. Prohibition of all forms of religious intimidation and threats.

We look forward to your joining us. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Waleed Al-Husseini, Palestinian Blogger

Maryam Namazie, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain