Welcome

From Morocco’s arrest of activist Ibtissam “Betty” Lachgar for “offensive” speech, to UK da’wah bro Mohammed Hijab losing a defamation case, to a US Defense Secretary cozying up to Christian nationalists—this week’s Unbelief Brief brings a global tour of faith-fueled absurdity. 

On a lighter note, International Dog Day is coming up on 8/26—details below!

Unbelief Brief

Ibtissam “Betty” Lachgar, a Moroccan feminist and LGBT rights activist, was arrested in her home country this past Sunday. Her “crime” was to post a photo of herself to Twitter, wearing a shirt that reads “Allah is lesbian”. The National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) is investigating her for “offensive expressions towards God” and Islam. In the same social media post, she referred to Islam as “fascistic, phallocratic, and misogynistic”. This description is transparently true for anyone who takes Islamic doctrine at its word. Yet, for speaking this truth aloud, Lachgar risks imprisonment. EXMNA joins organizations like Ex-Muslims International and the UK’s National Secular Society in calling for her immediate release.

Speaking of the UK, “da’wah bro” Mohammed Hijab has lost his defamation case against conservative commentator Douglas Murray and The Spectator magazine. In 2022, Hijab traveled to Leicester, where sectarian tensions between Hindus and Muslims were high and made the following comments about the Hindu belief in reincarnation: 

“What a humiliation and pathetic thing for them to be reincarnated into some pathetic, weak, cowardly people like that.” 

Murray interpreted his comments to be about Hindus in general, and argued Hijab’s inflammatory remarks contributed to the eventual riots that occurred in Leicester. Hijab subsequently claimed he was referring only to Hindu nationalists and sued Murray for defamation. However, the judge found no basis for the accusation and in fact, found Hijab to have lied repeatedly about several topics in the case. Whatever one thinks of Douglas Murray, the ruling is sound. It is also unsurprising: Hijab has lied before about his own “temporary marriage”. It seems that being a “da’wah bro” requires copious dishonesty by its very nature.

Lastly, in the US, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approvingly retweeted a video about the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). In the video, the CREC’s pastors argue their support for Christian nationalism and opposition to women’s suffrage. Doug Wilson, a co-founder of the CREC, embraced the Secretary’s support. Interviewed by the AP, Wilson expressed his belief that the 19th Amendment was “a mistake” and was open about how his “patriarchal” worldview and structure of his church were derived directly from Christian scripture. 

Unfortunately, Secretary Hegseth is not shying away from these odious statements: a Pentagon spokesman affirmed that Hegseth “very much appreciates many of Mr. Wilson’s writings and teachings.” That someone in such a prominent position of power holds these views is deeply troubling. We have seen examples of relatively liberal countries with social freedoms, such as Iran, reverting to backward and repressive theocracies. To believe such a thing could never happen here was apparently naive.

On the Horizon

Got a dog who’s more ṣadīq (man’s best friend) than najis (impure)? 🐾

Send us a photo of your favorite furry companion for a chance to be featured in our newsletter and on social media for International Dog Day, August 26!

📧 Email your images to [email protected] — and let us know if you want to be tagged or stay incognito.

Until next week,

The Team at Ex-Muslims of North America

P.S. We’d love to hear from you! Share your feedback at [email protected].

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