Category: News
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Intisar Sharif Abdallah is in danger of being stoned in Sudan!
I’ve been away for a few days and am trying to get through all my emails but thought I’d post this right away. It’s from Mina Ahadi about a stoning sentence in Sudan: Intisar who is under 18 and has three children of whom the youngest is five months old is now in Omdurmanprison in…
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June 2012: Nude Protest = Peaceful Protest
June 2012 is here. The photo for this month’s Nude Photo Revolutionary Calendar is that of English teacher and translator Luisa Batista. She says: Why I joined: I joined the Nude Photo Revolutionary Calendar, because I sympathize with all people who are oppressed by their religion and/or leaders. Women especially are being discriminated, oppressed, intimidated,…
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The veil is yet another restriction on women
I’ve been meaning to comment on a recent article in the Guardian (surprise, surprise) about how wonderfully liberating the hijab is and am glad I was reminded of it today. The author, Nadiya Takolia, says: …in a society where a woman’s value seems focused on her sexual charms, some wear it explicitly as a feminist…
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Sharia law: neither equal nor free
Here’s a letter being sent out today by my One Law for All co-spokesperson Anne Marie Waters: Dear friend Update on Baroness Cox’s Equality Bill One Law for All has been spending a lot of time recently working with Caroline Cox and her team in promoting the Arbitration and Mediation Services (Equalities) Bill. The aim…
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You want to ban hate speech? Isn’t that what religion is?
I was on a panel discussion this past weekend on free expression. In such discussions, there are always those who are proponents of banning ‘hate’ speech because they say it causes emotional distress and can lead to discrimination. My response is that much of religion is hate speech. Have they read the Koran or Bible…
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None of your business!
For those who think all ‘Muslims’ think alike and love to live under restrictions and Sharia law, here’s a brilliant video of a Saudi woman refusing to comply with the demand of the morality police that she leave the mall because her hair is showing, she’s got nail polish and lip stick. She stands her…
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We don’t draw the line
I am off to Brighton today to join a panel discussion on ‘Where do you draw the line’ on free expression. I say no where. Let people talk even if what they say is disgusting. You can’t and mustn’t stop people from reciting the Koran because it’s inhuman just as you can’t and mustn’t stop…
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Where do you draw the line?
On 26 May 2012 from 4.30 – 6pm at the Brighton Dome, Pavilion Theatre, I will be joining a panel discussion staged by Index on Censorship and Free Word as part of this year’s Brighton Festival called ‘Where do you draw the line?’ Open dialogue is the key to a healthy, cohesive society, but some…
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Freedom of Expression, Multiculturalism and Political Islam
I got back from Kamloops yesterday. Though I was exhausted, I’m really glad I went – fantastic people, speakers and organisers! Here’s the speech I gave: * Kuwait’s parliament recently voted in favour of a legal amendment that would make blasphemy a crime punishable by death following the arrest of a man accused of insulting…
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Kamloops here I come
I am off to Kamloops, BC Canada to speak at the Imagine No Religion 2 Conference being held during 18-20 May 2012. For more information on the conference, click here. It’s been sold out. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the greats there (I’ll be seeing PZ again, yay!) but am not looking forward…
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HOLD THIS DATE: 23 June Luncheon for CEMB’S 5th Birthday
Hello The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) will be 5 years old next month. To celebrate the work, significance and achievements of this unique organisation, we are holding a fundraising luncheon on Saturday 23 June 2012 in London from 13.00-16:00 hours. The luncheon will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals and enjoy…
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May 26 2012: Day of Action to Defend rapper Shahin Najafi facing a death fatwa
The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) supports the International Day of Action in support of Shahin Najafi, an Iranian rapper and songwriter living in Germany who has received a fatwa of death by the two Iranian Ayatollahs Makarem Shirazi and Safi Golpayegani. Shahin has been accused of offending Islam in his rap, Naghi. A…