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When tolerance backfires

“A humanistic value like tolerance only helps Erdogan and the fanatics. The modern world is, ironically, under threat because of humanistic values.”

Life is not an examination that God has set us

Afghan Rayan Azis (23) fled to the Netherlands as an ‘apostate’ Moslem. He faces the risk of being deported back to his homeland. “The wonderful thing about life in the Netherlands is that I’m really free, and I can make my own choices.”

Statement against misuse of film about Kacem El Ghazzal

“I want to show them who I am”

Ali “the infidel” was a tattoo artist in Iran, a dangerous career choice in a country where Islam dictates every part of life. In the Netherlands, he feels safer and freer: he enjoys surfing the Internet without filters, doing yoga with female friends or taking a dog for a walk. Even so, he finds it hard to stop censuring himself. Ali was born in Iran. He has been in the Netherlands for seven months, but still hasn’t been given a residence permit. That means he can’t attend any education. However, he is trying to learn Dutch and in another seven months he will know whether he can stay here or not.

I just want to be human

It’s dangerous to be a nonbeliever in an Islamic country. Thinking critically can even cost you your life – even after you’ve fled your country. This series looks at how people find the courage to think for themselves, and how they stand up for that freedom.

The Freedom of Thought Report

Focus on “religious freedom” is letting down the non-religious – says new UN expert on freedom of religion or belief.

Ready to remove your hijab?

Not that long ago British Aliyah Saleem wore the niqab, graduating at the strict islamic al-Huda school in Toronto, Canada.

Are Pakistani Atheists facing the Bangladeshi Problem?

Radical Muslims in Pakistan recently launched a social media campaign against the growing number of atheists. They openly ask followers to trace and locate atheists in Pakistan to kill them, as Muslim extremists did in Bangladesh. Will they mute freethinkers, who speak out for freedom of speech and religion, and risk their lives in doing so?

"Government takes no responsibility for killings"

Blog Nastiker Dharmakatha

Razor's Edge

A documentary on the threat to humanist bloggers in Bangladesh

Being an Atheist in Turkey

According to data of the research company, KONDA, rate of those who define themselves as atheist has risen to 2.9 from 2.3 in the last six years. So, roughly estimating the number of atheists in Turkey has increased from 1,700,000 to 2,200,000 in six years.

Persecuted nonbelievers talk to dutch parliament

On December 10, 2015 at the presentation of the Freedom of Thought Report to members of the Dutch Parliament, ex-muslims from Pakistan, Bangla Desh and the Netherlands were invited to speak about their situation. "Our names are on a hitlist' told the Bangladeshi bloggers, 'we are in total danger'.

Acknowledge the Right of Apostacy

2015 was a dangerous year for ‘non-believers’. This becomes clear from the Freedom of Thought Report 2015 that was published by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) on 10 December.

Fonder atheist alliance in Pakistan: I want to be free!

I am Fauzia, and I am an atheist, ex-Muslim from Pakistan and founder of the Atheist & Agnostic Alliance Pakistan. I am here in the Netherlands with my husband as asylum seekers.

'My job interview focused on my religious beliefs'

Since the election of Pope Francis, it has become not done to be an unbeliever in Argentina. This situation brings back memories of the past to lawyer Oscar Martínez. Journalist Peter Scheffer reports from this Latin American country.

'Atheists get lashes as well'

Worldwide research on religion and ideology is usually limited to the classification of the world into Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and a handful of other smaller religions. The growing group of uncommitted and non-religious world citizens is barely on the radar of researchers yet, or on that of citizens or politicians. The time has come for a change in this situation: although citizens like this are growing in number, their position is often a difficult one.

'I've always been a bit of a rebel'

A glazed look is the most you can expect if you tell someone in Sub-Saharan Africa that you are an atheist or humanist. Many people do not know what either entail or actually believe that atheists worship the devil.

Where is Salah?

The Dutch journalist Eva Ludemann has been following freethinkers in the Middle East and North Africa for a long time and has contact with dozens of men and women who express their unhappiness about the lack of freedom of conscience. Since the revolutions in the Arab world, there are no more taboos, particularly online. But it’s still risky to discuss taboos.

'After 9/11 I came out as an atheist'

Being an atheist in the US is guaranteed to spark controversy. This is something that Seth Andrews has experienced first hand. In 2008, he came out as an atheist and lost his relationship with his immediate family as a result. ‘My parents are traumatised and see the situation as a failure on their part.’