Ex-moslims in Groot-Brittannië

Launch of the Council of ex-Muslims of Britain

A British branch of a new Europe-wide phenomenon is to be launched on
Thursday 21 June in London. The Council of ex-Muslims of Britain is building
on the stunning success of other branches already operating in Germany,
Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The British Humanist Association and
National Secular Society are sponsoring the launch and support the new
organisation.

The Council will provide a voice for those labelled Muslim but who have
renounced religion and do not want to be identified by religion.

Rights activist Maryam Namazie will be the voice of the organisation in this
country. She said: "We are establishing the alternative to the likes of the
Muslim Council of Britain because we don't think people should be
pigeonholed as Muslims or deemed to be represented by regressive
organisations like the MCB. Those of us who have come forward with our names
and photographs represent countless others who are unable or unwilling to do
so because of the threats faced by those considered 'apostates' - punishable
by death in countries under Islamic law. By doing so, we are breaking the
taboo that comes with renouncing Islam but also taking a stand for reason,
universal rights and values, and secularism. We are quite certain we
represent a majority in Europe and a vast secular and humanist protest
movement in countries like Iran."

Mina Ahadi who initiated the original Central Council of Ex-Muslims in
Germany will be attending the launch. She spoke about the aims of the
organisation in an interview to Der Spiegel
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,468828,00.html.

Mina Ahadi, Mahin Alipour (spokesperson of the Scandinavian organisation),
Maryam Namazie and others will be available for interviews at the launch.

Ends

The launch will be at 11am (until midday), Thursday 21 June
Wilson Room
Portcullis House
Westminster SW1A 2LW

A manifesto explaining the aims of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
follows.

For more information please contact:
Maryam Namazie
Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
BM Box 1919
London WC1N 3XX, UK
e-mail: ex-muslimcouncil@ukonline.co.uk
website: www.ex-muslim.org.uk (under construction)