Ex-Muslim atheist activism in Kerala is a social phenomenon that has been on the rise since 2021, when it began to develop from discussions on social media platforms into a broader movement in society at large.

Kerala-based Indian ex-Muslim freethinkers started as an atheist and rationalist organization named 'Ex-Muslims of Kerala' intending to offer a platform and support to those who have stopped practicing Islam and aiming to reduce discrimination faced by those who leave Islam.[1][2][3][4] It is the first organization of its kind in India and focuses on activism in the Malayalam language of Kerala and seeks to protect the human rights and dignity of ex-Muslims and ensure the right to religious freedom promised by the Constitution of India. They also plan to move the courts against instances of human rights violations perpetrated in the name of traditions of faith or practices.[1][4]

Ex-Muslim day

Beginning in 2022, Ex-Muslims of Kerala observe 9 January as "Ex-Muslim Day".[5][6] On 9 January 2021, E A Jabbar, a critic of Islam[7] had a public debate about the scientific miracles in the Quran with the Salafi[8] preacher M. M. Akbar. The almost five hour long[9] debate held in Malappuram went viral, amassing a number of views on YouTube. The 9 January was proposed as "Ex-Muslim Day" when the organization was formed.[1][4]

Activism activities

The Facebook community "Ex-Muslims of Kerala" originated from a broader atheist group, then branched off in 2019 as support for the movement gained traction from numerous Kerala ex-Muslims.[10]

Backlash against ex-Muslims

While Clubhouse discussions are publicly viewable, many ex-Muslim Clubhouse users said that they felt confident enough to express their views on the app, but choose to use pseudonyms in an effort to conceal their identity to avoid targeted harassment and retaliation.[10][11]

In one example of social ostracism, after leaving Islam, Ex-Muslim Arif Hussain Theruvath's wife left him and does not allow him to see his children.[10][12] In an effort to avoid social and financial backlash associated with Ex-Muslim activism, some Ex-Muslims flee Kerala. In another example of overseas persecution, given by P. Sandeep, the personal information of social media activist Abdul Khader Puthiyangadi seem to have been doxed along with a complaint to Dubai authorities and as a result, sentenced to jail there in Dubai (as of the report day 27 January 2022) for activism done exclusively in Malayalam language when Puthiyangadi was in Kerala.[13]

In early May 2022, a 24-year ex-Muslim youth Aksar Ali of Malappuram; who decided to be relinquish his family ties owing to them objecting him leaving his Islamic faith, was rescued by Kollam police from a dire situation where in he was manhandled, in a bid to stop him from delivering a speech revealing his experiences of sexual harassment during his studies and his journey towards "the path of humanism", on the platform of an organization called Essense Global, which promotes "scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform in society"; subsequently Ali's speech was held under police protection.[14]

Media interactions

According to Arif Hussain Theruvath, though it could be argued that every religion discriminates against atheists, Islam tends to take an extreme position on it. Also, there are many serious issues including Islamic approval for corporal punishment meted out to women. According to Moderate Islamic scholar Shaista Amber of All India Muslim Women's Personal Law Board , every religion should have tolerance for those who denounce faith along with a platform for criticism and debate. According to Amber, Islamic intolerance towards women and other extremist positions goes against the basic tenet of the faith.[15]

See also

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 3 Philip, Shaju (10 January 2022). "Now, an outfit for 'Ex-Muslims' in Kerala". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "ഇസ്ലാം മതം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ചവരുടെ കൂട്ടായ്മ കേരളത്തിലും, മതമുപേക്ഷിച്ചവർക്ക് സാമൂഹ്യപിന്തുണ". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd.
  3. ↑ "Ex-Muslim organisation gathers steam in Kerala". Keralakaumudi Daily.
  4. 1 2 3 "ExMuslims of Kerala vows to protect rights of those who renounce religion". The New Indian Express.
  5. ↑ "Ex-Muslim organisation gathers steam in Kerala". Keralakaumudi Daily.
  6. ↑ "'Ex-Muslims of Kerala' declares Jan 9 as formation day". The Print.
  7. ↑ PTI (9 January 2022). "'Ex-Muslims of Kerala' declares Jan 9 as formation day". ThePrint. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "M M Akbar refutes Rashid Abdulla's claims". The Times of India. 21 May 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  9. ↑ MP, Prashanth. "To believe or not?". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Dore, Bhavya (10 August 2021). "Ex-Muslims in India find solidarity online as they face social and familial rejection". Religion News Service. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Clubhouse redefines debates on Islam in Kerala". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  12. ↑ TNM Staff (31 January 2022). "Kerala group offers support to those who're ostracised for leaving Islam". The News Minute. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  13. ↑ "Release of Malayali rationalist sought". The Hindu. 19 September 2021 – via www.thehindu.com.
  14. ↑ "Kerala: Malappuram man who renounced Islam attacked, police file case". The Indian Express. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  15. ↑ Dwivedi, Sandhya (13 February 2022). "लोग छोड़ रहे इस्लाम" [Why Muslims Leaving Islam? All You Need To Know]. Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Retrieved 13 February 2022.
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