Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world with about 1.6 billion followers, that make up for 23.4% of the world’s population. Indonesia, Pakistan and India have the most number of Muslims respectively.
On the 25th of November, this second largest religion of the world faced a challenge, one that was largely believed to create an impact on the community’s existence. On Twitter, the popular social networking website, a campaign ‘#ExMuslimBecause’ was launched by Maryam Namazie’s Council Of Ex-Muslim Of Britain Forum (CEMB) with the motive of binding all the Ex-Muslims and empowering them.
#ExMuslimBecause welcomes Muslims, Ex-Muslims & supporters to participate. Anti-Muslim bigots will be passionately blocked on this account.
— #ExMuslimBecause (@ExMuslimBecause) November 25, 2015
This campaign was started to create a platform where all the former followers of Islam could express why they chose to become Ex-Muslims. People posted tweets and pictures as a part of the campaign.
Don’t cover your head/body unless its your personal choice. Your body is nothing to be ashamed of. #ExMuslimBecause
— ❆ Christmas Mavis ❆ (@SnowJingles) November 21, 2015
#ExMuslimBecausepic.twitter.com/XpVM34YqqA — Against The Tide (@_AgainstTheTide) December 1, 2015
A series of graphic posts were put up on the #ExMuslimBecause Twitter handle based on the reasons given by people.
My body, my rules. #ExMuslimBecause @MaryamNamazie @CEMB_forum pic.twitter.com/yOyytvTaKu
— #ExMuslimBecause (@ExMuslimBecause) December 14, 2015
It is not very difficult to condemn Islam’s toxic homophobia. @hanikarif#ExMuslimBecause@CEMB_forum@MaryamNamaziepic.twitter.com/AdJx51Ttt9 — #ExMuslimBecause (@ExMuslimBecause) December 14, 2015
The Twitter Handle #ExMuslimBecause instantly saw hundreds and thousands of tweets, retweets and pictures pouring in. While some were boldly posting their views on why they are now ‘Ex Muslims’, some chose to maintain anonymity.
Another anonymous muslim supports #ExMuslimBecause @CEMB_forum @rayhana @ExMuslimBecause @RedditExMuslims pic.twitter.com/9fBUM47gl2 — UCL Atheists (@uclashs) December 11, 2015
Dreamer. Hero. ![💫]()
❤️#ExMuslimBecausepic.twitter.com/6hJGw2M2R8
— #ExMuslimBecause (@ExMuslimBecause) December 3, 2015
❤️With the response that can be seen on Twitter, it is crystal clear that people have found an outlet to show why they have decided to forsake Islam. Every individual has various reasons for this drastic resolution.
What’s more, it is rather surprising to see how many people disagree with the principles of Islam. And, if it wasn’t for this campaign, this phenomenon that is “#ExMuslimBecause” would’ve never come into light.
Religion is believed to exist so that humans don’t stray from the path of righteousness, but the ‘#ExMuslimBecause’ campaign portrays the exact opposite. People choose to leave religion so that they can pursue righteousness.
Have instances of Charlie Hebdo, Dadri Lynching, Cases of Public Execution in Saudi Arabia, Homosexual Intolerance, and the ISIS, forced the Muslims to lose faith in their faith?
#ExMuslimBecause is inspiring, Bread and Roses TV #BBC#AshrafFayadh#MohammadBasham… https://t.co/EhEvWM521Lpic.twitter.com/fVvMSK4dNq
— Kurdistan Trending (@Kurdistanolizer) December 1, 2015
When religion is in question, there are always going be counter actions. Where on one hand Twitter was seeing Ex-Muslims coming together, other Twitteratis, as well as various social media platforms saw furious reactions.
#ReligionOfPeace #ExMuslimBecause pic.twitter.com/TDpbQDhfuw
— Ben Anderson (@AndStrats) December 5, 2015
Spearheaded by Council of Ex-Muslims in Britain, #ExMuslimBecause Campaign Receives Vicious Backlash https://t.co/f2etygcp3B — Ben Anderson (@AndStrats) December 5, 2015
The campaign is still going on, gaining followers, giving a voice to those who need it, and bringing upon itself a huge amount of criticism from conservatives. To know more about the campaign, have a look at this:
CLARIFICATION: What the #ExMuslimBecause Campaign is about? @MaryamNamazie@CEMB_forum@BasimaFaysalpic.twitter.com/fCrssURSMX — #ExMuslimBecause (@ExMuslimBecause) November 22, 2015
Aamina Rahim Image Sources: http://www.albawaba.com/sites/default/files/im/exmuslim.PNG http://slodive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cute-twitter-backgrounds/typo-twitter-background.jpg
