Another film that has hit the headlines – ‘The innocence of Muslims’ – merits comment particularly since it has sparked protests that have resulted in the death of several US officials in Libya. Have you seen the film? It is absolutely ludicrous. It’s low budget (though they say they spent $5 million on it), poorly …
Category Archive: religion
Sep 12 2012
We must be able to scrutinise Islam
The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain would like to make public our support for Tom Holland’s Channel 4 documentary ‘Islam: The Untold Story’. We are indignant to learn that due to threats made on Holland, Channel 4 has cancelled a repeat screening of the historical inquiry into the origins of Islam similar to the kind …
Aug 18 2012
Religion not Pussy Riot is guilty of hooliganism
Three members of Pussy Riot were found guilty of ‘hooliganism’ driven by religious hatred and sentenced to two years in jail for staging an ‘obscene’ ‘punk prayer service’ at the altar of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow as part of a protest against Putin. If anything it is religion that is part …
Aug 18 2012
One Law for All has changed the public debate on Sharia
Dear Supporter, I wanted to write to give you a quick update on some of the things we’ve been doing recently, as well as some of our plans for the near future. Thank you, as always, for your support. Meeting with Trevor Phillips Recently, Maryam and I met with Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality …
Jul 13 2012
The struggle continues
On 11 July, the International Day against Stoning, brave women and men (including a 16 year old who had acid thrown on her face) marched to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Kabul to denounce the brutal execution of Najiba, a young woman, by the Taliban four days ago. See more photos here and be …
Jul 13 2012
It has to stop
I have just been informed that a Dutch MP of the Socialist Party, Harry van Bommel, has successfully submitted a resolution in the Dutch parliament calling for the Dutch government to instigate an initiative during the 67th UN General Assembly with the goal of an international condemnation and prohibition of stoning. The resolution has been accepted. …
Jul 11 2012
Stoning must end now
In commemoration of 11 July, International Day against Stoning, we call on people worldwide to demand an end to the barbaric practice of stoning to death. 11 July has been chosen by the International Committee against Stoning to mark the day that 31 year old mother of two, Maryam Ayoubi, was stoned to death in …
Jul 11 2012
It is meant to shock and provoke
Here’s a video clip of my speech at the 5th anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. It is meant to shock and provoke! You can read the speech here.
Jul 10 2012
Allah ordered the execution
Below is a Reuter’s report of a woman being executed near Kabul, Afghanistan by the Taliban this Sunday. It says she was accused of adultery and that Taliban members were ‘sexually involved’ with her, possibly via rape, and that she was tortured and killed to settle a dispute… Watching the very disturbing video, I can’t …
Jul 09 2012
Not that kind of atheist
It seems the wonderful PZ Myers considers me a ‘Humanist’ Atheist. In his blog entitled ‘what kind of atheist are you?’ he says my type of atheist has the following strengths and weaknesses: Strengths: This is the heart of an atheist movement that will endure and grow. Ignore it and we can expect atheism to fade …
Jul 04 2012
How dare you not defend Alex!
In a letter to the editor in the latest edition of the National Secular Society’s very excellent Newsline, Raymond Carlise writes: I have considered Edward Conduit’s appeal to sign the petition in defence of the Indonesian atheist who has been jailed for saying there is no God, but have concluded that I cannot sign [the] Avaaz …
Jul 03 2012
The courage to think
Over one hundred people joined the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain’s hugely successful 5th anniversary celebration luncheon in London on 23 June 2012. Guests heard from philosopher AC Grayling, theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, comedian Kate Smurthwaite, writer Gita Sahgal, singer/songwriter Shelley Segal, dancer Maryam Freeflower, DV8 Physical Theatre Director Lloyd Newson, and poet Lilith. Magician …
Jul 03 2012
Richard Dawkins: A most popular figure
Richard Dawkins was on Aljazeera’s The Stream last week. I was invited on a Google+ panel to ask questions, though I was only able to ask two. Anyone who watched it could plainly see the programme’s bias in favour of religion. Look no further than the title labelling Dawkins a ‘polarising’ figure and the opening …
Jun 30 2012
گفتگو با مریم نمازی: “زن ضد دین” و “فتواهای سکولار
Here’s an interview in Farsi in this week’s International entitled “This anti-religion woman” and “secular fatwas”. You can read it here.
Jun 28 2012
There is some sanity after all
A German court has said that a child’s right to physical integrity trumps religious and parental rights in a case involving a doctor who carried out a circumcision on a four year-old that led to medical complications. The decision, which is not binding, has caused ‘outrage’ amongst religious groups. By the way, the decision – …
Jun 26 2012
I could have told you that for free
Did you hear about Islington social services paying over £8,000 for a consultant to travel to Africa to investigate whether they should send a boy in their care to the Congo for an exorcism?! I could have told them NO! and for free. The consultant – who actually accepted the job – was told that …
Jun 25 2012
An unnecessary provocation?
The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain’s fifth anniversary celebration was absolutely fantastic. Here’s my speech. Thank you for joining us on the fifth anniversary of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB). People often ask why ex-Muslim? Is it not an unnecessary provocation? Provocation, yes, but unnecessary, no. Islamists tell us this all the time. …
Jun 22 2012
Beware of those who hide behind ‘choice’
I find that people often hide behind ‘choice’ in order to defend their position. But that to me is a cop-out. I think it’s always better to start with principle. You’re less likely to go wrong. Do I support the US bombing of Iran? Do I support the veil? Do I support religion? The death …
Jun 19 2012
Simple!
In response to my post explaining the ex in ex-Muslim, Mr. A Kundi or @adnzafar says on Twitter: @MaryamNamazie then don’t say #exmuslims. then there will be no killings. Simple! Simple for who? The defenders of Islamism are always on the ready to blame Islam’s victims for its crimes. All you need to do to …
Jun 19 2012
The veil must be opposed
I’m posting this speech of mine on the veil here for the pro-veil lobby. I’ll be sure to respond to comments in detail once the CEMB fundraiser is over. Bahar a young woman living in Germany wrote: When you see me on the street I am veiled but do not think I am a Muslim. …
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