Maryam Namazie - After the Charlie Hebdo Massacre, Support those Fighting the Religious-Right

By Dilip -
A quick look at the English-speaking media shows that whilst many condemn the violence itself, they also assert that Charlie Hebdo courted (and maybe deserved?) a strong response from “Muslims”. Charlie’s regular cartoonists did not spare Islam, any other religion, nor fanatics and bigots.

This trend in the media requires our attention. Apparently secularists, agnostics and atheists must keep silent and do not deserve the kind of respect that believers are entitled to; nor can they enjoy free speech to the same degree.

In the name of “respect” of religions and of the religious sentiments of believers, it is indeed the fanatical religious-Right that is being supported and given centre stage. Meanwhile, those who are on the forefront of countering armed fundamentalists are left to their own devices. It is high time to give these secularists prominence, to recognise their courage and their political clarity and to stop labelling them “Islamophobic”.

In October 2014, secularists – including atheists, agnostics and believers from many countries, in particular many Muslim-majority countries, met in London to denounce the religious-Right and to demand being seen as its alternative. It is high time to learn from their analysis and lived experiences.

The tragic massacre in Paris will undoubtedly give fuel to the traditional xenophobic far-Right and the immediate danger is an increase in racism, marginalization and exclusion of people of Muslim descent in Europe and further.  We do not want to witness “anti-Muslim witch hunts” nor do we welcome the promotion of “moderate” Islamists by governments as official political partners. What is needed is a straightforward analysis of the political nature of armed Islamists: they are an extreme-Right political force, working under the guise of religion and they aim at political power. They should be combated by political means and mass mobilisation, not by giving extra privileges to any religion.

Their persistent demand for the extension of blasphemy laws around the world is a real danger for all. France has a long – and now growingly endangered – tradition of secularism; which allows dissent from religions and the right to express this dissent. It has had a rich tradition to mock and caricature powers that be – religious or otherwise. Let us keep this hard won right which cost so many lives in history, and, alas, still does – as Charlie Hebdo’s twelve dead and numerous wounded demonstrate.

Signed:
Marieme Helie Lucas , Algerian Sociologist and Secularism is a Women’s Issue Founder
Maryam Namazie , Iranian-born Spokesperson of Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, One Law for All and Fitnah and Co-host of Bread and Roses TV
Karima Bennoune , Professor and Martin Luther King Jr. Hall Research Scholar, University of California, Davis School of Law
Ali al-Razi , Ex-Muslim Forum
Anissa Daoudi , Birmingham University, Head of Arabic Section
Chris Moos , Secularist Activist and Researcher
Codou Bop , Groupe de recherche sur les femmes et les mois au Sénégal
Deeyah Khan , Norwegian Filmmaker and Founder/CEO of Fuuse
Fahima Hashim , Director of Salmmah Women’s Resource Centre in Sudan
Fariborz Pooya , Founder of the Iranian Secular Society; Co-host of Bread and Roses TV
Fatou Sow , International Director of Women Living Under Muslim Laws
Fiammetta Venner , Writer and Filmmaker
Gita Sahgal , Founder of Centre for Secular Space
Harsh Kapoor , South Asia Citizens Web
Houzan Mahmoud , Kurdish Women’s Rights Activist
Imad Iddine Habib, Founder of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco
Inna Shevchenko, Leader of FEMEN
Julie Bindel , Writer
Kate Smurthwaite , Comedian and Activist
Magdulien Abaida , Libyan Activist and President of Hakki (My Right) Organization for Women Rights
Meredith Tax , Centre for Secular Space
Mina Ahadi , International Committees against Stoning and Execution
Nadia El Fani , Tunisian Filmmaker
Nina Sankari , Vice President of Atheist Coalition of Poland
Peter Tatchell , Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
Ramin Forghani , Founder of the Ex-Muslims of Scotland and Vice-Chair of the Scottish Secular Society
Safak Pavey , MP for Istanbul, Turkish Parliament
Soad Baba Aïssa , Founder of Association pour la mixité, l’égalité et la laïcité
Terry Sanderson , President of the National Secular Society
Waleed Al-Husseini , Palestinian blogger and Founder of the Council of Ex-Muslims of France
Yasmin Rehman , Women’s Rights Advocate


Lahore High Court’s upholding of the death sentence for Aasia Bibi is a dark stain - Statements and Commentary
Pakistani Activist Rashid Rehman shot dead; he fought for blasphemy suspects
Human rights in Pakistan - the continued persecution of Asia Bibi
Islamism a Deadly Ideology: Killing of ...
Thousands of Dalits protest over attacks and discrimination in Pakistan
Tazeen Javed - Pakistan: Aao Blasphemy Blasphemy Khelain
Mohammed Hanif: How to commit blasphemy in Pakistan
Minority and the mob // Two nations or more?
Khaled Ahmed - Pakistan: Sleepwalking to surrender (when fanaticism is entrenched as state ideology)
Khaled Ahmed - Pakistan's new normal
Khaled Ahmed - Rollback nations:  The modern Islamic state continues to be a besieged idea. After the Taliban killed a major-general and blew up 80 Christians in Peshawar
Extremism is getting embedded in the medical profession
Khaled Ahmed, veteran journalist, noted in his book that “In 2005, I was asked by the Lahore Chapter of doctors' association to address them on current national issues…
Karima Bennoune - Can People of Muslim Heritagedefeat the Radical Fundamentalists?
Javed Anand - A human question - why ...
Javed Anand - Ms Wadud, we are  ashamed...
Brunei brings in system of Islamic law ...
The decision to introduce sharia and reintroduce the death penalty has been condemned by NGOs and legal rights campaigners, who say the new rules will breach international laws. 
IHEU Freedom of Thought Report 2013: Death penalty for ...
IHEU Freedom of Thought Report 2013: Death penalty for atheism in 13 countries. 
Woman filmmaker in Iran sentenced to 18 months in prison
The religious persecution of Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd (1945-2010)/ Interview: My life fighting intolerance/ Mahmoud Mohammed Taha & the Second Message of Islam
Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd's Legacy (Library of writings)
Mahmoud Mohammed Taha (Author of Second Message of Islam); also known as Ustaz Mahmoud Mohammed Taha, was a Sudanese religious thinker, leader, and trained engineer. He was executed for apostasy at the age of 76 by the regime of Gaafar Nimeiry. (See his Court statement)
THE MODERATE MARTYR - A radically peaceful vision of Islam
Najam Sethi - Pakistan: Pluralism and tolerance



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