Dear friend
We hope you are well and safe. We wanted to write and give you an update of upcoming events and actions.
BLASPHEMY DAY, 30 September
Join CEMB in celebrating blasphemy by uploading your photo into our #blasphemyday frame and sharing on social media. If you can’t show your face because it may put you at risk, hide it or leave it blank. Artist Victoria Gugenheim explains how to add your photo to the frame here.
On this day, we reiterate that blasphemy is not a crime. It is part and parcel of freedom of conscience and expression and that ideas don’t need rights, people do.
If you have problems adding your photo to the blasphemy day frame, email it to us at hello@council-of-ex-muslims-of-britain-e5a565.ingress-baronn.ewp.live and Victoria will help.
SOHEIL DAY, 3 October
Over 140 personalities have called for 3 October to be recognised as International #SoheilDay in solidarity with Soheil Arabi, the atheist political prisoner in Iran who had originally been sentenced to death for a Facebook post. He has been imprisoned since 2013 and has become known as an outspoken advocate of atheism and prisoner rights despite the risks and pressures.
Add your signature to the statement calling for #SoheilDay. On 3 October, help highlight his case and put pressure on the Islamic regime of Iran to release him immediately and unconditionally.
BLASPHEMOUS WOMEN FILM AND PANEL DISCUSSION, 20 November
On Saturday 20 November from 6-8pm, CEMB is screening “Women Leaving Islam” for the first time in London. After the film, there will be a panel discussion on Blasphemous Women and Equality. Speakers include Somali Ex-Muslim Voices Founder Halima Salat, CEMB Spokesperson Maryam Namazie, Youtuber Nuriyeh Khan, Clinical Psychologist Savin Bapir-Tardy, and Writer and Southall Black Sisters Activist Rahila Gupta, amongst others. Tickets are £5.00. Due to Covid rules, space is limited so please get your tickets today.
POETRY ANTHOLOGY, 10 December
CEMB will be publishing a poetry anthology on being ex-Muslim, atheist and a freethinker on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. Poems related to being ex-Muslim/atheist as well as on Islam, Sharia, religion, fundamentalism, women’s or LGBT rights and other relevant issues are welcome. If you are a poet, please send any unpublished work by 15 November to hello@council-of-ex-muslims-of-britain-e5a565.ingress-baronn.ewp.live for consideration .
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEET-UPS
Face-to-face meet-ups have begun since August. If you missed CEMB’s Ali Malik speaking to Australian ex-Muslim Activist Harris Sultan and Youtuber Nuriyeh Khan, you can see videos of the talks here.
Upcoming meet-ups and events are listed here.
Please note that during 29-30 November, our Spokesperson Maryam Namazie will be speaking at De Balie’s Freethinkers Festival in Amsterdam. You can find out more about the festival here.
We continue to have two support groups a month led by Dr Savin Bapir-Tardy. Email hello@council-of-ex-muslims-of-britain-e5a565.ingress-baronn.ewp.live if you want to join.
OTHER
* We have signed on to a number of statements in support of women and people of Afghanistan, including “Women Against Taliban” and “Carte blanche: liberté, dignité et fraternité pour l’Afghanistan” in Le Soir.
* Maryam Namazie’s interview is included in “Dispatches on Global Secular Progress” by Marc Schaus for Humanist Canada Press.
* Ibn Warraq’s 2020 book “Leaving the Allah Delusion Behind: Atheism and Freethought in Islam” documents atheism in Islam and the rising ex-Muslim movement. In it he writes, “If it were not for Ms. Namazie’s tireless efforts, I doubt if the ex-Muslim atheist movement as a whole would have had the success it is experiencing now.”
SUPPORT US!
Because of Covid, like many other non-profits, CEMB’s funding has been drastically reduced. If you are able to, please donate to CEMB’s important work. We don’t get any government funding and must rely on public support. Any amount will help CEMB and will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and warmest solidarity.
For more information, contact:
Maryam Namazie
CEMB Spokesperson
m.namazie@council-of-ex-muslims-of-britain-e5a565.ingress-baronn.ewp.live
www.ex-muslim.org.uk