The bravery of the ex-Muslim – Spiked

The UK is a country that celebrates fundamental freedoms including freedom of belief. We are free to put our faith in gods, tooth fairies, men in turquoise shellsuits who proclaim divinity, or the mystical powers of the occult, if we so choose. But recent evidence given to the Home Affairs Committee on hate crime paints a frightening picture for those who choose no longer to believe in Islam. The written evidence, provided by the British Pakistani Christian Association, includes testimonials from ex-Muslims, many of them anonymous. Typically those who leave Islam face a stark choice keep quiet about their decision, or face discrimination, hatred and violence, the evidence reads. While Islamophobia and anti-Semitism feature prominently on the political agenda, the persecution of Britains apostates has gone largely unnoticed.

The testimonials make for depressing reading a snapshot of the dark underbelly of liberal Britains multi-religious society. Shaheen (pseudonym), a Christian convert, describes being beaten and left for dead by family members. A local imam told him he was Satan, and made an unequivocal threat: If we were in Egypt or Syria, I would cut off your head. Seyyed (pseudonym) describes receiving death threats, verbal abuse and refusal of service in taxis and shops. Ostracism is a theme running through each narrative. Facebook is the medium through which another was intimidated. Meanwhile, a church leader and friends were referred to as kafir/infidel dogs. This, we must remember, isnt hatred on the streets of Tehran, Riyadh or Islamabad, but modern-day Britain.

While many ex-Muslims dont come out, some have made a brave stand in defiance of Islamist threats. Established a decade ago, the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) receives approximately 350-400 inquiries for assistance each year. It has supported tens of thousands of people, including Christian converts, atheists, agnostics and humanists. Some who seek assistance end up volunteering for the organisation like CEMB spokesperson Sadia Hameed. British ex-Muslims are likely to face physical punishments, forced marriage or disownment, she tells me. Hameed says there is no support from the government and ex-Muslims arent taken seriously enough. For criticising beliefs and ideas we are seen as the troublemakers.

Many ex-Muslims have been shunned and shamed for their decision to leave Islam. Some, Hameed says, have committed suicide. Her story is featured in Deeyah Khans 2016 documentary Islams Non-Believers, where she recounts her painful journey to atheism. Its a raw account of the trauma this brave woman has endured. In one poignant scene, she says: I remember saying to my mum, I dont think I believe in God any more, and her saying, You cant tell anybody else because theyll kill you, we are obliged to kill ex-Muslims, and that it would put me at extreme risk if anybody else was to find out. So that conversation ended there.

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The bravery of the ex-Muslim - Spiked