Advance information
A British branch of a new Europe-wide phenomenon is to be launched on Thursday 21 June in London. The Council of ex-Muslims of Britain is building on the stunning success of other branches already operating in Germany, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The British Humanist Association and National Secular Society are sponsoring the launch and support the new organisation.
The Council will provide a voice for those labelled Muslim but who have renounced religion and do not want to be identified by religion.
Rights activist Maryam Namazie will be the voice of the organisation in this country. She said: “We are establishing the alternative to the likes of the Muslim Council of Britain because we don’t think people should be pigeonholed as Muslims or deemed to be represented by regressive organisations like the MCB. Those of us who have come forward with our names and photographs represent countless others who are unable or unwilling to do so because of the threats faced by those considered ‘apostates’ – punishable by death in countries under Islamic law. By doing so, we are breaking the taboo that comes with renouncing Islam but also taking a stand for reason, universal rights and values, and secularism. We are quite certain we represent a majority in Europe and a vast secular and humanist protest movement in countries like Iran.”
Mina Ahadi who initiated the original Central Council of Ex-Muslims in Germany will be attending the launch. She spoke about the aims of the organisation in an interview to Der Spiegel.
Mina Ahadi, Mahin Alipour (spokesperson of the Scandinavian organisation), Maryam Namazie and others will be available for interviews at the launch.
Ends
The launch will be at 11am (until midday), Thursday 21 June
Wilson Room
Portcullis House
Westminster SW1A 2LW
A manifesto explaining the aims of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain follows.
For more information please contact:
Maryam Namazie
Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
BM Box 1919
London WC1N 3XX, UK
e-mail: ex-muslimcouncil@ukonline.co.uk
telephone: 07719166731
website (under construction)
Manifesto of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
We, non-believers, atheists, and ex-Muslims, are establishing or joining the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain to insist that no one be pigeonholed as Muslims with culturally relative rights nor deemed to be represented by regressive Islamic organisations and ‘Muslim community leaders’.
Those of us who have come forward with our names and photographs represent countless others who are unable or unwilling to do so because of the threats faced by those considered ‘apostates’ – punishable by death in countries under Islamic law.
By doing so, we are breaking the taboo that comes with renouncing Islam but also taking a stand for reason, universal rights and values, and secularism.
Whilst religion or the lack thereof is a private affair, the increasing intervention of and devastation caused by religion and particularly Islam in contemporary society has necessitated our public renunciation and declaration. We represent a majority in Europe and a vast secular and humanist protest movement in countries like Iran.
Taking the lead from the Central Council of Ex-Muslims in Germany, we demand:
1. Universal rights and equal citizenship for all. We are opposed to cultural relativism and the tolerance of inhuman beliefs, discrimination and abuse in the name of respecting religion or 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 legal and educational 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.
This Council must highlight the plight of minorities in Muslim countries…it must discuss how open & indirect pressure is brought upon non Muslims to convert..indeed most cannot afford not to be Muslims even in countries like Bangladesh & Pakistan. In East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) there was this law called the Enemy Property Act whereby following the partition of India when millions of Hindus were made to leave their property or else be branded Enemy. The law was simple..if any co sharer of a family had migrated to India his portion of the property would be confiscated by the Government, a radical Muslim family put in his place and inside the household. The rest would be easy -harass the remaining members, make advances or abduct one of the girls in the family and force the rest to leave.While Muslims go on and on about the Babri masjid in India and how it was destroyed, no one talks about hundreds of Hindu temples, some older than Babri that was destroyed by the Pakistan army in 1971 and never rebuilt. The Ramna Kali Temple in the middle of Dhaka city is one.
A really good job founding this thing!The ugly face of sharia must be exposed for what it really is, the most horrible religious madness there is.Islam is sharia. Sharia sucks!
This movement was long overdue…in the 1980s a courageous Bangladeshi writer by the name of Taslima Nasreen simply pointed out the oppression that is Islam, and she was hounded like an animal. Even to this day she speaks out her mind… The degree of brutal repression in Muslim countries on its citizens especially its non Muslim citizen is long been ignored..indeed its amazing how intellectuals & concerned people failed to see the Islamic pattern of driving out entire civilizations and Islamicizing..its strange that Britain that gave birth to the brightest of political minds should allow its country to be practically taken over by Islamists…I am no fan of GW Bush, but I do have to give it to that guy..you dont see these goons in US like the ones who recruit with impunity in Leeds, Luton & Bradford. I wish Ms Namazie best of luck in her endeavours.
Oh yes, we rabid mongrels. We just can’t keep from indiscriminately killing all those those Muslims in Gaza.ooops, forgot, that OTHER MUSLIMS killing fellow Muslims in Gaza when they’re not busy launching rockets at the Israelis or murdering what few Christians are left there.btw, Mr. Anonymous Asshole, if I’m so racist why is my wife hispanic?Thats what happens when idiots can’t refute argument, they launch into personal attacks that reveal just how little they are actually thinking.And then for good measure Mr. Anonymous is too superious to even sign a name. What a hoot!Scott WPhx, AZ USA
Oh yes, the old “Muslims aren’t a race so I can’t be a racist for calling for their extermination” bullshit. Jews aren’t a race either, yet attacks against them are called racist. To you, Muslims ARE a race, all part of one homnogenous group of non-white people, who seem almost always to be the targets of white terrorists from the US and UK, and now they’ve got some communist losers to work for them.Nice try Scotty, but we’re on you to rabid racist genocidal mongrels.
As usual the idiots have to have their say -Anonymous said… Its good to see white supremascists like Scott W, neocons and totalitarian communists working together. The proof is in the pudding. I didn’t notice my amemdment being directed at NON-whites, it was directed at ISLAM, and I damned proud of that.Since Islam is NOT a “race” opposition to it cannot be racist.Oppossing Islam is to take a stand in the name of freedom, individual rights and most particulalry womens rights, the rule of law and democracy, and particularly the sanctity of life.Opposition to my proposed amendment may be taken on various grounds but certainly not any ANY ground that the amendment is directed at a race of people because of their race. It is directed at ALL people who subscribe to the brutal, 7th Century proclivities of a child-raping con-man (may pigs blood be upon the “prophet” Mohammed) who invented a religion to justify his every whim of violence and sexual depravation.Scott WPhx, AZ USA
At one level I profoundly support your movement (as I also support other movements to helpe people get out of cults, religions, gangs, etc). That type of emotional support is often valuable.Articles 5,6,7,8 though seem to mandate state intrusion into the customs of behavior of people who chose to stay in those groups. This is something I cannot support. People have the right to choose to be part of, or to leave repressive cultures. If they stay, that is their personal choice, and it is no more OK for the state to interfere there than it is OK for them to interfere with non members.jay
Best of luck! ;)BTW, many people who have written above may be interested to know that, in countries like Spain and France, there have been active movements for renouncing catholicism. Many people in Spain have had their names removed from the baptism lists… 😉
Bravo! Congratulations!Thank you for standing up for reason and freedom. The Islamofascists are not just at war with Europe–they are at war with reason, reality, freedom–with human civilization as such.BillUSA
Steven Naysmith above said…“get a life,Muslims are so peacefull and your attacking of Islam is unjustified.your views are flawed … soon may u die along with ur views,theyre not welcome”Kind of sums up the intellectual level of religious thinking.Good luck Maryam
I see what you are trying to do with this organisation, and it is nothing new. I understand that you think you are standing up for something significant, but you are only playing into the hands of western hysteria and therefore legitimising their crimes in the middle east (and indeed in the developing world). No matter how lofty your goals are, your organisation will only be as useful as the current political reality requires so you will be pigeon holed with all the other ‘moderates’ that are supposed to exist in the muslim community. Divide and conquer is what made the world into what it is today, so well done for making it all just a little worse.
Its good to see white supremascists like Scott W, neocons and totalitarian communists working together. The proof is in the pudding.
Good luck!
Your a brave and wonderful lady. Don’t let them intimidate you, keep up the fight. Women’s rights, free speech, and freedom of religion are too precious to lose.
I was very happy at first to hear a voice and people that are finally speaking out agaisnt extream Islam. Then I was disappointed to find out you are a communist. As an American I value Freedom and love freedom. I know you are a very smart woman I ask you this in what you believe how do you honestley think commusism is any differant from Islam? Specialy when it puts in prison and kills people who dont believe in there belief (communism)As long as your red no one will support or rally behind you because they will whisper but shes a communist which is just as bad as the people you are speaking out against. You are what they call a useful idiot even tho you are one hell of a smart woman. It saddens me that I can not support you I really wish I could. You have an aweful lot of prohibition there why wouldnt one be able to practice ones customs? Maybe you should sit down and think about what it is your fighting for freedom or your way of thinking???What you think is right hurts people of religion. You want the religion of Communism…….
ps:See my proposal to ban Islam in the US at http://pedestrianinfidel.blogspot.com/2007/02/proposed-constitutional-amendment.htmlHere is the text:A Proposed Constitutional Amendment Background and justification to Amendment 28Whereas Religion is defined as an institution dedicated to improving social conscience and promoting individual and societal spiritual growth in a way that is harmless to others not participating in or practicing the same;Whereas the United States of America was founded on the ideals of individual rights, including the individual right to practice one’s religion of choice, or no religion, and that there would be no compulsion of religion, nor state sanctioned religion, nor a “religious test” for participation in the body politic;Whereas Islam includes a complete political and social structure, encompassed by its religious law, Sharia, that supersedes any civil law and that Islam mandates that no secular or democratic institutions are to be superior to Islamic law;Whereas Islam preaches that it and it alone is the true religion and that Islam will dominate the world and supplant all other religions and democratic institutions;Whereas Saudi Arabia, the spiritual home of Islam does not permit the practice of any other religion on its soil and even “moderate” Muslims states such as Turkey and Malaysia actively suppress other religions;Whereas Islam includes as its basic tenet the spread of the faith by any and all means necessary, including violent conquest of non-believers, and demands of its followers that they implement violent jihad (holy war) against those un-willing to convert or submit to Islam, including by deception and subversion of existing institutions;Whereas on 9/11/2001 19 Muslim hijackers acting in the name of Islam killed 3,000 Americans, and numerous other acts of terrorism have been directed at the American people around the world;Whereas representatives of Islam around the world including Osama Bin Laden (architect of 9/11), the government of Iran including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, HAMAS, Hezbollah, and other Islamic groups have declared jihad (war) on America, and regularly declare that America should cease to exist;Whereas there is no organized Islamic opposition to violent proponents of Islam;Therefore: Islam is not a religion, but a political ideology more akin to Fascism and totally in opposition to the ideals of freedom as described in the United States Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights.Be it resolved that the following Amendment to the Constitution be adopted:Article IThe social/political/ideological system known around the world as Islam is not recognized in the United States as a religion.The practice of Islam is therefore not protected under the 1st Amendment as to freedom of religion and speech.Article IIAs representatives of Islam around the world have declared war, and committed acts of war, against the United States and its democratic allies around the world, Islam is hereby declared an enemy of the United States and its practice within the United States is now prohibited.Article IIIImmediately upon passage of this Amendment all Mosques, schools and Muslim places of worship and religious training are to be closed, converted to other uses, or destroyed. Proceeds from sales of such properties may be distributed to congregations of said places but full disclosure of all proceeds shall be made to an appropriate agency as determined by Congress. No compensation is to be offered by Federal or State agencies for losses on such properties however Federal funding is to be available for the demolishing of said structures if other disposition cannot be made.The preaching of Islam in Mosques, Schools, and other venues is prohibited. The subject of Islam may be taught in a post high school academic environment provided that instruction include discussion of Islam’s history of violence, conquest, and its ongoing war on democratic and other non-Islamic values.The preaching or advocating of Islamic ideals of world domination, destruction of America and democratic institutions, jihad against Judaism, Christianity and other religions, and advocating the implementation of Sharia law shall in all cases be punishable by fines, imprisonment, deportation, and death as prescribed by Congress. Violent expressions of these and other Muslim goals, or the material support of those both in the United States and around the world who seek to advance these Islamic goals shall be punishable by death.Muslims will be denied the opportunity to immigrate to the United States.Article IVNothing in this amendment shall be construed as authorizing the discrimination against, of violence upon, nor repudiation of the individual rights of those Americans professing to be Muslim. The individual right of conscience is sacrosanct and the practice of Islam within the privacy of home and self is strictly protected to the extent that such individuals do not violate the prohibitions described in Article III.Scott WPhx, AZ USA
Bravo! to the brave leaders of this new organization. I pray for them, not because their souls are in danger, but because their lives are in danger from NON-ex-Muslims.Is is clear that many ordinary Muslims simply want to lead peacefull lives and that no one should brand all Muslims as being dangerous simply because so many of their fellow Muslims just happen to be terrorist.However, it is clear that Islam IS dangerous. It is to a man like rabies is to a dog.Islam is an excuse for the violent subjugation of women and the violent conquest of other peoples. That is all it really is, and it only “flourishes” in places where Muslims can prevent by force the competition from other beliefs. But controlling people by force is not religion, it is tyranny.Why is organization needed. If nothing else, simply to prove that people do, and CAN, leave Islam. As to those who claim that those who criticize Islam as racist, or Islamophobic, I say, when Muslims STOP demanding that those “who insult” Islam be be-headed then I will STOP being Islamophobic.Until then, the only “good Muslim” is a an ex-Muslim. Because Islam doesn’t have anything to offer other than violence and death.Scott WPhx, AZ USA
Islam is a rotten religion that need to be overhauled
Why would the islamic god force women to wear layers of clothing at 40°C heat while men wear comfortable clothes..Why is eating pork worse than cutting a man’s head or shooting a child in the back.Why is god so weak that he has to depend on his/her ” creations to fight for him/her.Why is he/she so against a human being using reason… in other words how come god has such low self esteem..All religion is b**llSh*t…Wake up and reason!!
First of all I want to thank Steven for his comment. Attacking Islam these days has become the way to the spot light for people who other wise will not be given a second of the day. The true values of Islam are known and no one can deny the benefits that muslims have done through the years. Wasn’t Spain the focus of the world under Islamic rule for its advances and tolerance. Islam has never been about denying people their rights or about killing people. To the people who started this please try to find fame by doing something else as you will fail like many others have. Islam is the true religion that will bring peace and happiness to mankind and God will never let his believers down.
get a life,Muslims are so peacefull and your attacking of Islam is unjustified.your views are flawed.I am marrying a Muslim this year and it is the most beautifull religion. picking on 2Billion Muslims isnt going to happen,and your are against Islam as opposed to religion as a whole. soon may u die along with ur views,theyre not welcome
Good luck in your venture! Thank you for speaking up! You are very brave!
Maryam Namazie your a C*U*N*T and ur organistaion will fail,tou’ll get squashed like a wee insect u smelly queer reject of a c*u*n*t.
Best of luck with this venture Maryam. It will be nice to hear a more balanced debate about an issue that has become very one-sided in recent years.
All religions are silly; some are nasty, Mohammedanism among them. Heving found it very difficult to leave my own religion (a ‘silly’ one), I salute Maryam’s courage in doing something much more difficult: renouncing the oppression of Islam. All power to you.
I’d like to see some evidence of all these Muslims who can’t “get out” of this scurrrry “cult.” However, I’m sure evidence is far too elusive for you fear mongering, ignorant haters.
Secular freedom under attack from Muslims? Yeah right! More like Europeans and American fascists attacking Muslims in their own countries. Paranoid white bastards!”Lst year, the citizens of the Province of Ontario succeeded in stopping the adoption of Sharia law in family courts in CANADA! Anyone who values freedom, equality and justice must be concerned about Islam.”Wrong. Religious arbitration courts for Jews, Christians and Muslims were shelved. Only secular fascists used the word “sharia” to scare people and promote hatred against a minority religion which wanted access to the courts like the Jews and Christians.
As a Canadian who sees secular freedom under attack from Islam and its fanaticism, I applaud and support you. Lst year, the citizens of the Province of Ontario succeeded in stopping the adoption of Sharia law in family courts in CANADA! Anyone who values freedom, equality and justice must be concerned about Islam.
I applaud you Maryam and wish you and your organisation every success. Be strong and don’t give up!
“Assuming this is true, it is but a reason not to be a Christian or a Jew, either.”Theres no assumption about it, it happens everyday, but I don’t see you communist clowns lining up to start the “council” of ex-Jews, or ex-Christians.”Real secularists must hate all religions equally.”Atleast you admit to being hateful.
Good luck. Will keep an eye on developments.
Real secularists must hate all religions equally. It should not be just islam or christianity. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels opposed both christianity and judaism because they were major religions in Europe.
“Christians and Jews don’t kill apostates, they just terror bomb entire countries and try to force their way of life on others, including lecturing them on their faith.”Assuming this is true, it is but a reason not to be a Christian or a Jew, either. That’s the trouble with tu quoque arguments (aka “I know what you are, but what am I?”) — they really don’t prove the thing they’re intended to prove.
Hi Maryam,I’m really pleased to hear about this, and it going ahead on my Birthday as well. I understand how important this is being a young ex-muslim myself. My heartfelt thanks for your work.
congratulations on making this move.
A list of demands that everybody should not only accept but wholeheartedly support. And those who are squealing “Islamophobia” in response to these thoroughly reasonable demands display nothing other than the childish “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” mentality. This is about reason, persuasion and dialogue, not name-calling.
Is there such a term as Islamophobia. The only divine thing in Islam is the Quran. Are there ppl who have phobia about a book. plz change the term islamophobia cuz it describes your ignorance & insanity at best. I think ex-MARYAM and her like-minded pals are suffering a common widespread disease and the most infectious disease in the DEVELOPED nations called “Muslimphobia.” Unfortunately, it is incurable cuz it has some hereditry disease. Symptoms arise in psychosomatical manner(physical disorder due to emotions).
What about anti-christianity? In past, christianity also prohibited remarriages of widows like in hinduism. My Australian former christian friend said that now also christian widows rarely remarry.
I think this group represents an alternative to groups as the Muslim Council of Britain.I think it should play a leading role, in the antiwar movement. It should divorce progressives from sympathy with Islamism. The Islamists speak at antiwar marches, instead it should be your group.
“How on earth does someone become a “captive” of Islam? It’s not a cell, it’s not gitmo.”Oh dear. Because the penalty for ‘apostasy’ is death? Are you not aware of that? Well, don’t convert to Islam until you learn a little more about it then!Best wishes with this, Maryam!
It is somewhat laughable that you can establish this organisation as an alternative to the MCB or other Muslim organisations – if you have left Islam, why do you see the need to identify yourselves as ex-Muslims? Why not just identify yourself with atheism and secularism? When you say that you represent the majority in Europe, what exactly do you mean? Certainly, the majority in Europe are non-Muslims, but only a handful are ex-Muslims. Indeed, European non-Muslims have been realising the beauty of Islam, and entering it in their droves, despite the propaganda on your website equating Islam with terrorism.
How do you all write this drivel and expect normal people to give you any respect? How on earth does someone become a “captive” of Islam? It’s not a cell, it’s not gitmo. You all need therapy rather than ridiculous groups like this where you all rub each other’s backs, validating your totally invalid thoughts.
There is no such thing as freedom of belief unless there are no penalties for changing your mind. In communities where religion still dominates there is no practical freedom to publicly leave that religion without the fear of reprisal and isolation.So good luck in your new group.
Wow, another group of communist con artists pretending to be “ex-Muslims” trying to cash in on fashionable islamophobia. Jonathan, you are a joke, Christians and Jews don’t kill apostates, they just terror bomb entire countries and try to force their way of life on others, including lecturing them on their faith. Your hypocrisy could not be any more clearer.
I fully support the Council of ex-Muslims of Britain – but aren’t there too many “of”s in the name? Why not the British Council of ex-Muslims, or the Council of British ex-Muslims, or the ex-Muslim Council of Britain?
Ahmed, in case you didn’t notice, Maryam is from Iran, which is a Muslim-dominated country. The people involved with the group are ex-Muslims. That this the focus of their organization because that is who they are.Why no “ex-Christian” or “ex-Jewish” groups? I am sure they exist, but the need for them is not as great as is the need for a visible and active ex-Muslim group. There aren’t armed gangs of Christians or Jews looking for apostates to murder. People leave Christianity and Judaism every day, without any persecution or threat. The same cannot be said for Islam.I applaud Maryam’s work and that of other ex-Muslims. They are helping people leave a horrible ideology and find peace and modernity. I celebrate their choice and encourage them to reach out to their families and friends so that they may, too, leave Islam.
The Council of ex-Muslims in Britain? Why Islam? Why didn`t you launch the council of ex-Christians or ex-Jews? Why ex-Muslims? Of course that is because you want to add more people in your war on Islam and who is better than ex-Muslims to join that war? Maryam, you don`t even deserve your name. Maryam or Virgin Marie is ashamed of what you are doing.I couldn`t keep my eyes away from your satanic face on this blog. You`ll go straight to hell for what you`re doing. How can you help and support people who chose to live without faith? I wonder how empty-hearted those people are and I pity them for the path they`ve chosen.
Wow…. they’re quick.I doubt very much that my comment is that put this post on Islamophobia Watch’s radar. They need no excuse to criticize Maryam or me or anyone else. I in no way meant to indicate that the goal of the Ex-Muslims of Britain organization is the same as mine… that is a mischaracterization on the part of Islamophobia Watch and of Bob.ANYTHING that shows Muslims that there is a way out of Islam is a good thing. And no, I don’t agree that it is “illiberal” to want to see an end to Islam. Is it “illiberal” to want to see an end to facism and totalitarianism? Is it “illiberal” to want to see a progressive, modern Europe that leads the world in the 21st Century and not be dragged down into the mire of Sharia and Islamic cultural values? Is it “illiberal” to fight against an ideology that calls for the subjugation of women, the execution of homosexuals, the denial of basic human rights, etc.?Islam is waging war on Europe. Muslims come to Europe and then demand special rights and recognition of their religious and cultural values – many of which are in direct conflict with the egalitairan and liberal values of modern Europe.When the demonstrations to overthrow the British government and replace it with Sharia have ended then maybe my opinion of Muslims in Europe will change. I stand firmly for secularism, humanism and socialism. These are the philosophies that will allow our societies to progress. In practice, Islam stands opposed to these philosophies and their values. Therefore, I oppose Islam. If that makes me an “islamphobe”, then so be it.
It’s a shame that the commenter above (who confuses the potentially valuable aims of this Council with his own somewhat illiberal aim of “ending Islam in Europe”) has already given Islamophobia Watch an excuse to criticize your efforts:http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/islamophobia-watch/2007/6/18/launch-of-the-council-of-ex-muslims-of-britain.htmlThey have ignored the content of the proposal in favour of highlighting Jonathon’s mis-characterization of it.(And ironically that selective behaviour in turn highlights the kind of religious selective attitude to criticism and evidence, which hopefully really will be on the Council’s agenda!)
Congratulations to this new group. I hope that you have much success and contribute to the end of Islam in Europe. Islam, like facism and totalitarianism, has no place in a modern Europe. These dead ideologies must be swept aside so that we can all move together into the future. A world without Islam is a world much closer to peace. Thanks for standing up and providing hope for the millions of people who are held captive by Islam – freedom is possible!!