| October 2, 2017 |  |
The Future Belongs to the Blasphemers – a Message from Ex-Muslims A message from ex-Muslims to mark International Blasphemy Day Some people believe that disagreeing with deeply held beliefs is hate. It is not. I want to remind you that many of the most powerful ideas, ideas that changed our world were once heretical. I want to remind you that many of the most radical thinkers and reformists in past eras were blasphemers against the established order of their day. Galileo who rewrote our place in the universe, Darwin who rewrote our place amongst our animal family. Even a religious figure such as Mohammed caused offence when he blasphemed against the... Filed as: Press Releases |
| August 3, 2017 |
Open Letter to Pride: Defend the Council of Ex-Muslims Open Letter to Pride: Defend the Council of Ex-Muslims East London mosque has history of hosting homophobic hate preachers Dear Pride in London and Community Advisory Board, I write as one of the co-organisers of the UK’s first LGBT Pride in 1972, as a Patron of Pride in London and as a human rights campaigner for the last 50 years: I understand that complaints have been made against the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) by the East London mosque and others. The claim is that the CEMB’s placards at this year’s Pride parade on 8 July were “Islamophobic”. They... Filed as: Media Coverage, Press Releases |
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| July 28, 2017 |  |
Pride has the chance to do the right thing 28 July 2017 Michael Salter-Church Alison Camps Co-Chairs – Pride in London Dear Michael Salter-Church and Alison Camps Thank you for your letter dated 21 July addressed to CEMB’s Pride Organiser. The crux of the issue, which you have failed to recognise, is this: Pride in London has taken complaints against the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) by the likes of the East London Mosque – a centre of homophobia – seriously because of a cultural relativism and tone policing that is only applicable to critics of Islam and never critics of Christianity. Moreover, complaints have been given credence... Filed as: Press Releases |
| July 28, 2017 |  |
CEMB is merely exposing the East London Mosque’s incitement to Hate and murder of LGBT at Pride in London Response to East London Mosque Statement dated 20th July 2017 and Muslim Council of Britain Statement, dated 26 July 2017 The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) represents former Muslims who are from Muslim-majority countries or diaspora communities. Frequently, these are refugees seeking asylum as they are being persecuted for leaving Islam or for being LGBT. We are committed to calling out oppressive narratives, racism and anti-Muslim hate and homophobia – all of which directly impact our members. Ironically, CEMB’s presence at Pride in London has been labelled ‘Islamophobic’ by the East London Mosque (ELM), a word we reject as... Filed as: Press Releases |
| July 25, 2017 |  |
Largest gathering of ex-Muslims in history The International Conference on Freedom of Conscience and Expression, the largest gathering of ex-Muslims in history, was held during 22-24 July 2017 in London. Over 70 notable speakers from 30 countries or the Diaspora gathered in what was dubbed “The Glastonbury of Freethinkers” and “a Conference of Heroes” to honour dissenters and defend apostasy, blasphemy, and secularism. The sold-out conference highlighted the voices of those on the frontlines of resistance – many of them persecuted and exiled – and included the first London film screening of Deeyah Khan’s film, Islam’s Non Believers, a public art protest of 99 balloons representing... Filed as: Press Releases |
| July 14, 2017 |  |
East London mosque has filed formal complaint about CEMB to Pride By Maryam Namazie, CEMB Spokesperson East London mosque has filed a formal complaint regarding the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain’s presence in Pride in London and stated that our placards, including “East London mosque incites murder of LGBT” were “inciting hatred against Muslims” and that the mosque had a “track record for challenging homophobia in East London”. In fact, though, the very reason CEMB was at Pride was to combat hate and to highlight the 14 states under Islamic rule that kill gay men (15 if we include Daesh-held territories). We included placards on the East London mosque to bring attention... Filed as: Press Releases |
| July 12, 2017 |  |
Letter to FBU asking for their official position on CEMB Dear Mr Wrack, FBU General Secretary, It has been drawn to our attention that Ms Lucy Masoud, treasurer of the Fire Brigades Union in London, has written a blog on The FBU website stating that the presence of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) at Pride was “hate on display” and that the group is “islamophobic”. CEMB has responded to the post and would like to know whether this is the FBU’s official position. As we have mentioned in our response to Ms Masoud, there is a clear distinction between criticism of religion and the religious-Right versus bigotry against people.... Filed as: Press Releases |
| July 12, 2017 |  |
FBU: We are combating hate not promoting it Lucy Masoud, treasurer of the Fire Brigades Union in London, has written a blog on The FBU website saying the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB)‘s presence at Pride was “hate on display” and that the group is “Islamophobic” and “carried offensive signs such as ‘F**K Islam’ and ‘East London Mosque Incites Murder of Homosexuals’”. She added that members were “offended” by CEMB, that CEMB was “sinister” and that when she confronted our group, “they admitted they had never been Muslim”. Masoud added: “Pride is meant to be about acceptance and love, not hate. Most LGBT people have experienced hate... Filed as: Press Releases |
| July 10, 2017 |  |
#IWant2BFree Read this letter online. Dear friend EX-MUSLIMS OUT AND PROUD IN PRIDE LONDON CEMB was at Pride London in full force on 8 July highlighting the plight of LGBT in countries under Islamic rule where it is punishable with the death penalty, with topless activists body-painted by the award-winning Victoria Gugenheim. The march went ahead as planned, though police initially tried to remove placards with the slogan “Allah is Gay” because of complaints of “offence”. Whilst a few were not pleased to see apostates there, we were met with overwhelming and heart-warming support and solidarity. For all of those who... Filed as: Press Releases |
| July 10, 2017 |  |
Ex-Muslims Out & Proud at Pride On 8 July, CEMB was at Pride in London in full force highlighting the plight of LGBT in countries under Islamic rule with bodypainting by the award-winning Victoria Gugenheim. The march went ahead as planned, though police initially tried to remove placards with the slogan “Allah is Gay” because of complaints of “offence”. Whilst a few were not pleased to see apostates in Pride, we were met with overwhelming and heart-warming support and solidarity. For all of those who participated, it was an unforgettable moment in the struggle for freedom of conscience, expression and the fight for LGBT rights in... Filed as: Press Releases |