I was born and brought up in a religious family and a traditional community in Iran. Quran was the first book that I came to know because my father used to teach me Quran and the Islamic principals since the age of five. My mother hoped I would be the first girl in our village that would complete reading Quran. As I grew older and was caught in the waves of revolution I found myself questioning the teachings of Islam. But it was after the coming to power of the Islamic Republic and the witnessing their brutal ways in forcing Islamic laws on people and particularly on women that fully convinced me of turning away from Islam and any other religion. As someone who has fled an Islamic regime and has been actively involved in a struggle against religious state and its’ oppressive rule, I was enraged whenever I was taken as a Muslim woman and treated like one by many British organisations and public sectors. Some didn’t even bother to ask me if I was Muslim or not and just put Muslim on the form. Labelling people and leaving them at the hands of Islamic organisations has only resulted in more divisions in the society and has made it harder for many to integrate into their new countries, needles to mention that it as helped Islamic organisations grow stronger. We want to come out and announce to the world that we are not Muslims, that we have turned away from religion and we want society to stop labelling and treating people according to their supposed religions. A secular society must treat all its members equally and fairly.
That’s the testimony of Sohaila Sharifi, member of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. It’s an organisation founded by Maryam Namazie, Iranian human rights campaigner, and twenty-four others.
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.
These people are brave as hell and deserve our support and admiration.
You can join, or donate, or send a message of support.
(Thanks: Maryam Namazie and Harry’s Place)
