Uncategorized

Formalities and what not…

This is my first experience blogging. From what I understand, it is customary to give your readers a little bit of background about who you are, why you are writing, and why they should care. I’ll try to do a little bit of that here. But before I get into …

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Uncategorized

Welcome to Mehfil-e-Skeptics (part 2)

As promised, this is part 2 of my introductory post. You can read part 1 here. It didn’t take long to notice that few people actually took their faith, beliefs, and religious ideas seriously. An uncomfortably large number of people were essentially living double lives, displaying a certain piety for …

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Uncategorized

The ExMuslim Blogs and the Stories from Ex-Muslim Women project

Hello folks! I have two important and teeth-chatteringly exciting updates. A day I’ve been anticipating has finally arrived. I’m excited to announce the unveiling of a unique collaborative effort: The world’s first unified Ex-Muslim blog platform! Check it out at http://www.exmuslimblogs.com/ The Ex-Muslims of North America has created this website …

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Human RightsReligion

The Absurdity of Abraham: The troubling morals of Eid al Adha

On a late October morning in 1994, the nation woke to the stirring pleas of a young woman who had just experienced every mother’s worst nightmare. Through her emotional and all too convincing sobs and sniffles, Susan Smith riveted the world with her heartbreaking story of the burly black man …

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Uncategorized

Welcome to Mehfil-e-Skeptics (part 1)

My name is Kiran, and I will be your hostess. 🙂 I have been working in the ExMuslim movement and on the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) forum since 2008. I’ve administered and served on the boards of various Muslim and Ex-Muslim organizations, and I am a co-organizer of …

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Voices

A letter to my former Muslim self

Dear Chista ‘Muslimah’, A disclaimer: This will change your life. As I sit in the backyard of a mosque and watch the Eid celebrations, I am writing this letter to you. You are going to hate me for the bitter piece of news I have brought to you, but I …

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Family

Kinda Forgot Eid

I come from a household of many siblings so my miff at not being included in things is about the same as my dread of being corralled into “family fun”. When I found myself on Eid not dressed up and nowhere to go, I have to admit, I felt left out. …

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Voices

Advice to my former Muslim self (Part 1)

You will be fine Sophiya. You will be fine without Allah. And without His love, and without praying to Him all the time. You will be fine, trust me. Because you do have the love of your family and of your friends and you have yourself. And trust me, you …

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Voices

the non-muslim muslim

This is an anonymous guest post by ‘kaddu’. I have in discussions called myself a “non-muslim muslim” much to the chagrin of both my Muslim and ex-Muslim friends, though not all of either. I’ve also used the term “muslim-humanist” much to the same response. Some ex-muslims (and muslims) will ask …

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Family

The Do Nothing Just Yet Approach

‘No religion’ on its own may seem to be a daring, exciting thing. Atheists appear to blatantly flash their free thinking ideas, no doubt arising from brains grubby with autonomy and independent thought. But as soon as you throw parenthood in the picture, the image frays and falls apart. How …

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