Turkey: 28.5% of Generation Z have abandoned Islam
A recent study conducted by Gezici Research Center recorded a massive shift in social and religious attitudes in Turkey among cohorts of Generation Z. In the upcoming 2023 elections, 1 in 5 of the voting public will belong to Generation Z which could prove pivotal in setting any future agenda. …
Algerian and Tunisian Free Thinkers under threat for ‘ridiculing’ Quran
A series of verses mimicking the style of the Quran titled Surah (Chapter) Corona have lit Arab social media on fire. The verses were written by an Algerian atheist Djilou and shared widely angering many conservative Muslims who have issued death threats and calls for arrest of those involved. We …
Charges filed against Egyptian atheist Sherif Gaber
Egyptian religious conservative Al-Nour party (Party of light) has filed a blasphemy claim against atheist, free-thinker and activist Sherif Gaber. The salafi Al-Nour party has allied with the military dictatorship of Sisi and campaigned for him in the recent 2018 elections. Al-Nour’s lawyer Haitham Hashim Saad has filed a complaint …
Like Water on a Cabbage Leaf: Islam and Mental Health Stigma
An examination of mental health stigma as a necessary product of maintaining Muslim norms Content note: physical abuse, imprisonment, interrogation, forced hospitalization, and overmedication. My analysis concerns mainstream conservative Muslim societies as described in the below culture and context and is not to be taken as universal to all forms …
Love & Hate: A Muslim community’s response to a gay wedding
Islam in North America is increasingly finding itself in deep “intersectional identity” quicksand. Recently, we have seen religious conservatives like Linda Sarsour simultaneously lauding theocratic law while selling the world on “Muslim Feminism”. Oxymoronic as that may seem, it is nothing compared to the cultural chasm that has opened up …
It’s about time we listened to those speaking honestly about Islam
Obaid is a free speech advocate and Ex-Muslim. He was born in India and grew up in Canada. His love for science eventually lead to his abandoning Islam. Obaid can be reached via Twitter @obaidomer. Islam is a religion of peace; this has nothing to do with Islam, not all Muslims, …
Saudi Arabia: Ahmad Al Shamri’s appeal denied, sentenced to death for atheism.
Ahmad Al Shamri, a young man in his early 20’s from the city of Hafr Al Batin has been sentenced to death after his appeal was denied by Saudi Appeals and Supreme Courts. Many on twitter were celebrating and lauding the penalty with the hash tag #مرتد_حفرالباطن stating that it was …
Voices of moderation and #HangAyazNizami
Despite reams of evidence, it is difficult for the average Westerner to comprehend the state of religious fundamentalism in Muslim countries. The truth is savage and unyielding – and we have no chance of changing reality if we refuse to even face it. Here is the face of religious “moderation” …
Women’s Rights vs Anti- Muslim Bigotry: An Unfortunate Tension
Today the Arab American News begrudgingly reports, “We hate to do this but…investigators say that the Muslim girl lied about getting attacked by Trump supporters on a NYC subway. She was out drinking with friends and made up the story to ‘distract her angry father.’ She ran away from home …
Documentary on “ex-Muslims” sparks contentious debate at Portland State
This is a guest post by Andy Ngo. He is a graduate student in political science at Portland State University. His academic interests include political Islam and secularism in the Middle East and North Africa. He can be reached on twitter at @MrAndyNgo and email at [email protected] . On Nov. …