Press Releases

April 26, 2019		Join us for fast-defying protests during Ramadan and to defend LGBT Rights, Apostasy and Blasphemy Hello dear friend We hope you are well. We are just writing to give you an update of our upcoming activities, namely fast-defying during Ramadan and defending LGBT rights and apostasy in the run up to Gay Pride in London. 17 MAY – CHILD FASTING IS CHILD ABUSE PROTEST AT DEPT FOR EDUCATION This year, CEMB’s fast-defying action will include a protest at the Department for Education on 17th May at 12pm to highlight the Department’s inaction with regards to child fasting in schools during Ramadan. We are calling on the Department to ban child fasting in schools and... Filed as: Press Releases
April 25, 2019		Ramadan Fast-Defying Protests: Child Fasting is Child Abuse In the past years, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain has held fast-defying protests at embassies in solidarity with those who are persecuted for eating and drinking during Ramadan. This year, CEMB’s fast-defying action will include a protest at the Department for Education on 17th May at 12pm. The 17 May protest at the Department for Education aims to highlight the Department’s inaction with regards to child fasting in schools during Ramadan. Child fasting should be banned as it is harmful to children. If a child is sent to school without breakfast and not allowed to eat lunch or drink water... Filed as: Press Releases
April 25, 2019		Outrage at Islamist terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka We are outraged at the Islamist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Our hearts go out to the survivors and victims – hundreds killed, including at least 45 children, and more than 500 wounded. We mourn them with the people of Sri Lanka and the world. The terrorists claim to have killed innocent Christians and others in order to “avenge” innocent Muslims killed in Christchurch; the Christchurch terrorist also feigned to kill innocent Muslim worshippers as an act of “vengeance”. What should by now be very clear to everyone is that these terrorist attacks have nothing to... Filed as: Press Releases
April 24, 2019		CROWDFUNDING: Celebrating Sexuality & Apostasy for LGBT Month PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) has fought hard to take part in Gay Pride after the East London Mosque and Mend (Islamist bodies) filed official complaints in 2017 with Pride for our ‘Islamophobic’ placards. It took Pride 8 months to finally allow us to march again in 2018 after we stressed the importance of normalising blasphemy when one can be killed for it. Since our first participation in Pride, we have worked hard to explain the difference between apostasy/blasphemy and bigotry, to show how minorities within minorities have the right to think and live... Filed as: Press Releases
April 15, 2019		Supporting The Campaign Against The Death Penalty For Gay Sex In Brunei Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain Protested The Death Penalty For Gay Sex In Brunei Many of the Council of Ex-Muslim’s of Britain’s supporters and volunteers showed their outrage at the introduction of the death penalty for gay sex in Brunei by protesting outside The Dorchester Hotel in London. On 6th April 2019, many volunteers and supporters of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain joined the Peter Tatchell Foundation and nearly 400 protesters to condemn the brutal introduction of the death penalty by stoning for gay sex and public whipping as a punishment for lesbian sex in the country of Brunei.... Filed as: Press Releases
March 27, 2019		Samint: Art as weapon against extremism and patriarchy SAMINT’s artwork was shown at the 23 March Atheist Day ex-Muslim women speak out event in London. A growing number of atheists are currently coming out of the closet, even in theocratic, confessionalist or religiously influenced countries. In these difficult times, as we witness a massive religious backlash, organising this first international Atheist Day is an excellent initiative. Today, in London, ex-Muslim women’s standpoint is in the spotlight but one shall never forget that all religions and all sects are profoundly misogynistic and serve the patriarchy’s interests. Islamists do NOT have any proper social project, only the obsessive will to... Filed as: Press Releases
March 26, 2019		Successful 1st International Atheist Day VIDEOS AND PHOTOS OF THE EVENT ARE BELOW. March 23rd, International Atheist Day, was observed for the first time across the world, providing a space for non believers to come out in public, defend freethought and show solidarity with those who risk their lives and freedom because they are atheists. The day was initiated by an international ex-Muslim coalition, namely Arab Atheists, Ateizm Derneği, Atheist Agnostic Alliance of Pakistan, Atheist Republic, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB), Council of Ex-Muslims of France, Council of Ex-Muslims of Jordan, Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco, Council of Ex-Muslims of Sri Lanka, Ex-Muslims of... Filed as: Press Releases
March 23, 2019		Why Were Women’s Bodies Policed By Hijab After The New Zealand Terror Attack? Why Were Women’s Bodies Policed By Hijab After The New Zealand Terror Attack? The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain’s Response To Hijab Being Used As A Symbol Of Solidarity In The Aftermath Of The New Zealand Terrorist Attack. More than a week on from the horrific far right and white supremacist attack on New Zealand, we at the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain are still grieving for those who were lost, or had their lives destroyed. As we have already said, the majority of our members and volunteers are from Muslim families and communities, so the people killed or critically... Filed as: Press Releases
March 23, 2019		Atheist Day: An Atheist Coming Out Day We atheists and atheist allies hereby declare that from now on, March 23rd is Atheist Day. We recognize the struggle of atheists to live authentic lives in many parts of the world. The struggle to openly affirm one’s atheism. The fear of intolerant governments, mobs, and religious zealots. On March 23rd we shall take a stand for our right to be treated equal and for those of us in countries where atheists are persecuted and live under a threat of death. From every city in every country in the world we shall be one voice, a voice of reason. Initiators:... Filed as: Media Coverage, Press Releases
March 20, 2019		Fundamentalism and White Nationalism: the same, just wearing different clothes, Vrij Links, 29 March 2019 Below is the English version of an interview with Marieke Hoogwout published in Dutch in Vrij Links on 29 March 2019. The interview was conducted before the Christchurch and Utrecht terrorist attacks this month. You can read the Dutch interview here. In January, Iranian-British human rights activist Maryam Namazie gave the 24th Freedom Lecture at De Balie in Amsterdam. Hers was a fierce plea for solidarity from the left with all dissenters, ex-Muslims, feminists, secularists, in short: with anyone challenging repression of political Islam. An interview on how politicians, media and all of us citizens can contribute to, in her... Filed as: Media Coverage, Press Releases