The number of ex-Muslims in America is rising
Hundreds of thousands of American Muslims might recognise something like their own experience in Mr Olad’s tale. As the number of American Muslims has increased by almost 50% in the past decade, so too has the number of ex-Muslims. According to the Pew Research Centre, 23% of Americans raised as …
Ex-Muslims: The American who fled ‘gay conversion’ in Africa
Mahad Olad was in a Nairobi hotel room, looking at his mother. She was holding two articles from a student newspaper in New York. In the first article, Mahad, then 19, said he was atheist. In the second, he said he was gay. His mother – a Somali Muslim – …
Ex-Muslims: They left Islam and now tour the US to talk about it
On a Sunday night in Washington DC, a policeman sits by the door of room 309 at George Washington University’s Marvin Center. Inside, around 50 people – men and women, young and old, a mixture of races – wait patiently. They are here for “Normalizing Dissent”, the Ex-MNA’s tour of …
The Ex-Muslims Go Public
When we began this series, hoping to confront fears about American Muslims, I asked viewers to send ideas for what to cover next. In emails, YouTube comments, and Facebook messages, no subjects were more requested than ex-Muslims. Atheists who leave Islam are too often ostracized from their families and communities—and …
Inside the Secret World of Ex-Muslims
In April, a defiant group of self-identified “apostates” convened in downtown Portland, Oregon, to revel in the joys of brew culture, bacon burgers, and atheism. Nine ex-Muslims from several states in the region gathered for a local meeting of the Ex-Muslims of North America. EXMNA is a nonprofit that provides …
Exclusive: Facebook Has Been Regularly Shutting Down Atheist and Ex-Muslim Groups
Yesterday, Facebook restricted and then shut down the public pages of Ex-Muslims of North America (24k followers) and Atheist Republic (1,6 million followers) –groups that advocate secularism and provide support to “apostates” (people who leave Islam and who often face persecution). In fact, the ex-Muslim group claims that for the …
Leaving Islam in North America
Leaving Islam can be notoriously difficult in many Muslim-majority countries. Certain countries, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have laws that make apostasy an offense punishable by death. In others where apostasy is not explicitly criminalized, accused individuals can still face charges through religious courts. Prosecution at the hands of …
Ex-Muslims of North America Establishes New Video Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2016 Ex-Muslims of North America is proud to unveil a new endeavor featuring apostates who have chosen to speak out. “Unbound: Life Beyond Faith” is a new video series which provides a brief glimpse into the lives of apostates from around the United States and …
Clausen: Wegmans says Ex-Muslims group can buy cake
The all-everything, 89-store chain recently reversed a somewhat odd decision by some bakery workers in Fairfax, Virginia. It’s where employees earlier this month refused to make a cake celebrating the third anniversary of the Ex-Muslims of North America, a nonprofit group of former followers of Islam with about 500 members …
Apostates refused service at Wegmans bakery – fear of invoking offense led to discrimination, says Ex-Muslims of North America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2016 Wegmans, a chain of 89 grocery stores, refused to bake and decorate a cake for a private celebration for those who have left the faith of Islam. The request included a picture of the Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) name and logo, with a …