- The Explosive Rise of Ex-Muslims in India!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/explosive-rise-ex-muslims-india
Location: India
The digital age has catalyzed a surging phenomenon of ex-Muslims, particularly in India where Muslims constitute a significant minority. Thanks to the Internet, many are breaking away from traditional religious views, sharing their experiences, and connecting with others who share similar sentiments, all while safeguarding their identities. Initially more prominent in Western nations, where groups such as Faith Freedom International and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain emerged, the rise of platforms like YouTube has amplified the voices of Indian ex-Muslims who discuss religious topics and engage in debates. In India, many ex-Muslims such as Kerala-based EA Jabbar and social media personalities like Ex-Muslim Sahil, Sameer, Azaad Ground, Zafar Heretic, Sachwala, and Faiz Alam continue to gain prominence. Despite Muslim leaders downplaying the significance of this movement, its growth is undeniable, with prominent figures like Maryam Namazie likening the Internet's impact on Islam to how the printing press revolutionized Christianity. However, with this increased visibility comes the threat of ostracization or even violence, leading many ex-Muslims to maintain anonymity, especially in regions with deeply rooted religious sentiments.
- Saudi Man Sentenced To Death For Tweets Criticizing Nation's Leaders
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/saudi-man-sentenced-death-tweets-criticizing-nations-leaders
Location: Saudi Arabia
In a chilling move that underscores the tightening grip on freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia, 54-year-old Muhammad al-Ghamdi, a retired teacher, was sentenced to death simply for tweets critical of the nation's leaders. Using the platform X, previously known as Twitter, Muhammad discreetly voiced his dissent, mostly by retweeting critiques of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Yet, with just ten followers between his anonymous accounts, the global human rights community is in an uproar, deeming this an audacious "travesty of justice." As executions in the kingdom surge, a darker narrative emerges: Muhammad's severe sentence might also be retaliation against his brother's overseas activism. A stark reminder that in today's Saudi Arabia, even a tweet can be deadly.
- Spiritual Leader Offers Bounty for Indian Politician Criticizing Hinduism
Location: India
As India gears up for its 2024 general elections, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the State Minister of Sports and Youth Development in Tamil Nadu, has ignited a significant controversy. Speaking at a conference, he declared, “Just like how dengue, malaria, or coronavirus need to be eradicated, and not just opposed, we have to eradicate Sanatana,” referring to Sanatana Dharma, an enduring principle often identified with Hinduism. His comments set off a nationwide uproar. Key political figures like Amit Malviya of the Bharatiya Janata Party perceived Stalin's remarks as a call for the "genocide" of its followers, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a strong rebuttal. Legal actions followed in states including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In a shocking development, Paramhans Acharya of Ayodhya, a religious leader, placed a bounty of ten crores (around 1.76 million US dollars) on Stalin's life. Undeterred, Udhayanidhi clarified his stance, emphasizing he wasn't endorsing any form of genocide but was pointing out the divisive aspects of Sanatana Dharma in terms of caste and religion.
- Iranian Protester Accused of Burning Quran Tortured to Death in Prison
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/iranian-protester-accused-burning-quran-tortured-death-prison
Location: Iran
Javad Rouhi, a 35-year-old Iranian civilian involved in the “Women Life Freedom” protests, was arrested on September 22, 2022, after allegedly breaking into the headquarters of the traffic police in northern city of Nowshahr and setting it ablaze. Also accused of burning the Quran, he was hastily tried in a 45-minute proceeding, resulting in three death sentences on charges including "corruption on earth" and "blasphemy and insulting the sacred by setting fire to a Quran." Disturbingly, despite a video surfacing of Rouhi dancing peacefully amid the protests, he was subjected to over 40 days of harrowing torture in custody, detailed by Amnesty International: “He was tortured...As a result, he had multiple physical problems.” While his death sentences were overturned by Iran's Supreme Court in May, he was kept in detention, awaiting retrial until his abrupt death at the end of August. Echoing the tragic case of Mahsa Amini, Rouhi's unexplained death has led to a swell of anger among Iranians. Outspoken journalist and activist Masih Alinejad implored on her Instagram: "Let's make Javad Rouhi's name a symbol of our revolution... They had sentenced him to execution, but they executed him secretly... Let's not allow them to succeed."
- Hindu Student Hospitalized After Being Beaten by Muslim Teacher in India
Location: India
In Jammu and Kashmir, a historically contested region nestled in the northernmost part of India, a 10th-grade student from Kathua was hospitalized after being beaten by his school authorities for writing "Jai Shri Ram" (Glory to Lord Rama) on his classroom's blackboard. This slogan, while a religious proclamation, has evolved into a symbol of Hindu nationalism, particularly since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ascended to power in 2014. The sensitivity of this incident is accentuated by Jammu and Kashmir's unique demographics and history. Historically, the region has witnessed significant Hindu-Muslim tensions. While Kashmir has a majority Muslim population, Jammu is predominantly Hindu. Over the years, there have been instances of Hindus facing persecution, leading to large migrations, especially from the Kashmir Valley. Given this backdrop, such an incident in Jammu heightens communal sensitivities and brings forth memories of past religious conflicts. Protests erupted in response, with calls for action against the educators involved. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the delicate socio-political fabric of Jammu and Kashmir, where religious expressions can quickly become flashpoints.
- Charlie Hebdo Takes Aim: Denmark's Controversial Blasphemy Law Under Fire!
Location: France/Denmark
The satirical French newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, known for its tragic brush with extremism in 2015, is taking Denmark to task over a proposed law against the desecration of religious books such as the Quran. Stemming from events where anti-Islam activists publicly burned copies of the Quran, leading to global outrage and violent counter-protests, the Danish government aims to mitigate such incidents by extending bans similar to that on burning foreign flags. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard explained that the bill's intent is to penalize those who desecrate religious scriptures in public or aim to disseminate such actions broadly. However, Charlie Hebdo, collaborating with eight Scandinavian media outlets, warns against the return of Denmark's blasphemy law repealed in 2017. Riss, Charlie Hebdo's director, asserted, "It's serious that a European country should decide to reinstate a medieval offense." The publication argues that the move caters to pressure from Muslim-majority nations and dampens freedom of expression. Yet, Denmark emphasizes that the bill doesn't diminish the nation's commitment to free speech.
- Pakistani Islamic Cleric, Notorious For Fatwas, Booked On Blasphemy Charges
Location: Pakistan
In the intricate landscape of Pakistan's religious dynamics, a notable Islamic cleric, Mufti Hanif Qureshi, who issued a fatwa (Islamic death opinion) and played a significant role in instigating the assassination of a reformist governor, now faces blasphemy charges himself. Accused by two residents, Hafiz Shahid Mehmood and Imran Asghar, Qureshi allegedly made derogatory comments about the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, a grave offense under Pakistan's stringent blasphemy laws. These laws have been a subject of global debate, particularly as they've recently been amplified to impose harsher punishments against those disrespecting the Prophet’s immediate circle. The current accusations against Qureshi spotlight the unpredictable nature of religious sentiments in the nation: while the cleric had previously encouraged the murder of Salman Taseer for perceived blasphemy, he now stands accused of a similar offense. The gravity of this situation is underscored by recent violent events in Pakistan, where mere accusations, whether substantiated or not, can lead to communal riots or even public lynchings.
- Is AI Killing Religious Faith? The Surprising Link Exposed!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/ai-killing-religious-faith-surprising-link-exposed
Location: Global
The decline in global religiosity has been linked to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in a pivotal study recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The researchers suggest that as AI and automation increasingly tackle complex tasks—like diagnosing diseases or forecasting the weather—people may lean less on religious beliefs for explanations. This shift differs from past eras, like the Industrial Revolution, where technological advances didn't notably dent religious fervor. To substantiate their claim, researchers conducted four experiments, including a broad survey across 68 countries from 2006 to 2019 which found a negative association between exposure to robotics and religiosity. Moreover, U.S. metropolitan areas experiencing higher robotics growth recorded a 3% yearly religiosity decline each decade. In a focused study, individuals with jobs heavily exposed to AI were found to be "45% less likely to believe in God." While not definitive, the results suggest a significant relationship between the proliferation of automation and declining religious belief across various cultures and religions in the modern era.
- Swedish City in Crisis: Quran Burning Incites Mass Unrest in Malmo!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/swedish-city-crisis-quran-burning-incites-mass-unrest-malmo
Location: Sweden
Riots engulfed Malmö, Sweden's third-largest city, following the burning of the Quran by Salwan Momika, a noted anti-Islam activist and Iraqi refugee. The upheaval began on September 3rd and carried on into the next day, with fiery confrontations in the immigrant-dominated Rosengard neighborhood. In the chaos, cars, including those in underground garages, were set ablaze, and rioters pelted authorities with stones. Reflecting on the upheaval, senior police officer Petra Stenkula stated, “It is extremely regrettable to once again see violence and vandalism at Rosengard.” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson joined in condemning the riots, deeming the violence "completely unacceptable" regardless of its cause. The incident has ignited further discussions around free speech, with the government considering stricter guidelines on protest permits for national security reasons.
- New Atheist Republic Emojis! YOU get to decide!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbKpmZxZBs4eMtgE1Da8bQ/join
Exciting Update from Atheist Republic! Atheist Republic is thrilled to announce the release of two news exclusive emojis for our dedicated YouTube members. If you're passionate about supporting our mission of providing community to atheists across the world, consider joining as a YouTube member. Not only will you be contributing to our global secular movement, but you'll also immerse yourself in our lively YouTube community. We are also creating new emojis and want to give control to our community. Comment on the video to share your brilliant emoji ideas. The top suggestions will be highlighted on our community tab. And the most exciting part? YouTube members will have exclusive access to voting for the next emojis to be added to our collection! Ready to amplify your impact and shape our content? Join us as a Member by clicking this link Today!
