- Betrayed by Diversity? Pride Flags Banned in First Muslim-Majority US City
Location: United States
Eight years after the election of the first Muslim-majority city council in Hamtramck, Michigan, a sense of betrayal echoes amongst the city's liberal community. Former Mayor Karen Majewski expressed her disappointment saying, “There’s a sense of betrayal. We supported you when you were threatened, and now our rights are threatened, and you’re the one doing the threatening.” Her remarks came in response to the council's controversial decision to ban the display of Pride flags on city property, a decision that coincides with Pride Month and a period of increasing threats to LGBTQIA+ rights in the U.S. The decision has led to a complex tension between the socially conservative Muslims and liberal residents, who once celebrated the council's 2015 election as a demonstration of diversity and a rebuttal to Islamophobia. Nevertheless, as these tensions rise, there's also a call for inclusion and coexistence from individuals like Gracie Cadieux, a local resident who stated, “We aren’t in the business of excluding people from our society, and I’m not going to exclude socially conservative Muslims – they have a place at the table just like everyone else. However, they cannot, and will not, shove another community out of the way."
- Muslim Writer Shockingly Advocates for Child Marriage
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/muslim-writer-shockingly-advocates-child-marriage
Location: United States
Stirring a storm of controversy, the notorious Muslim writer Daniel Haqiqatjou, the founder of Muslim Skeptic, recently advocated for child marriage in a public lecture, asserting that marrying physically mature nine-year-old girls is not inherently wrong. Delivered at the An-Noor Cultural Center in New York City, Haqiqatjou's arguments characterized child marriage as a "beautiful institution," claiming its abolishment has indirectly led to the molestation of millions of children in American public schools. He stated, "That is a beautiful institution, a halal (permissible), beautiful institution, that every culture has had, every religion has sanctioned, has approved of. It was only abolished because they want to spread fornication." Furthermore, Haqiqatjou rebuffed allegations labeling Prophet Muhammad as a pedophile for marrying Aisha at a young age, highlighting her physical maturity. His statements significantly diverge from the consensus of many experts, who perceive the ages 9 to 11 as part of middle childhood and preadolescence stages.
- Unveiling ISIS: The Secret War Against Christians in Africa
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/unveiling-isis-secret-war-against-christians-africa
Location: Africa
Despite the Islamic State (ISIS) losing significant ground in Iraq and Syria in 2019 and 2020, recent horrific events in Africa indicate the group's alarming resurgence. The brutal attack on Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe, Uganda, where 37 students were killed by suspected members of the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS affiliate, underscores this resurgence. The students were either butchered with machetes or burned to death, with the attack being one of many ISIS-related incidents in Africa. Further highlighting this menacing trend, a recent report from the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) provides chilling details about the extensive attacks by ISIS-affiliated groups in Africa, primarily targeting Christian communities. According to MEMRI, "ISIS-linked fighters killed at least 202 Nigerian Christians, 157 Mozambican Christians, and 365 Congolese Christians killed, with dozens of churches burned." The report also documents the widespread enslavement of minorities and forced conversion to Islam. These escalating terror acts serve as a distressing reminder of ISIS's expanding influence in Africa.
- A Ride to Hel: Poland's Bus 666 Takes an Unexpected Turn!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/ride-hel-polands-bus-666-takes-unexpected-turn
Location: Poland
It's a detour on the Highway to Hel in Poland, as the local bus operator, PKS Gdynia, recently changed the number of its famous route #666, rebranding to #669. This comes after conservative Christian groups expressed their discomfort over the route's devilish digits, sparking controversy. PKS Gdynia, the local bus operator, announced the switch on social media with a playful nod, stating, "This year, we're turning the last 6 upside down!" Many mourned the change, as the bus route's satanic association had become a marketing sensation. One local remarked, "I have read about line 666 on Hel many times on foreign sites. I am convinced tourists...took the bus for fun." Despite this change, the allure of Hel's sun-drenched beaches and maritime charms remain, even if its 'Highway to Hel' has taken a detour.
- Trans Ban Wreaks Havoc on Spider-Verse: Arab Countries Snub Marvel Film
Location: United Arab Emirates
"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" has spun an international web of controversy as several Arab countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain have opted to snub the Marvel film due to allegations of trans representation within its storyline. A significant point of contention stemmed from a scene in the film's trailer that showed a poster in the protagonist Gwen Stacy's (aka “Spider-Gwen”) bedroom proclaiming "Protect Trans Kids," which many speculated implied that the character might be transgender. Caught in a tangled interplay of cultural and cinematic tension, the blockbuster's ban has stirred profound conversation on how LGBTQIA+ themes are received in different parts of the world. Saudi national Abdullah Al-Oufi emphasized this sentiment, stating, "We don't want to show the next generation that this is something normal." This isn't a standalone incident in the region; a similar trend of banning movies featuring LGBTQIA+ characters or themes has been ongoing, highlighting the persistent challenges that exist in negotiating the balance between diverse narratives and cultural sensitivities in the realm of global entertainment.
- Saying No to the Hijab: The Growing Resistance in Iranian Universities
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/saying-no-hijab-growing-resistance-iranian-universities
Location: Iran
In a defiant stand against Iran's mandatory hijab laws, students from multiple Iranian universities have organized a series of protests. A peaceful sit-in at the National Garden campus of the Art University of Tehran epitomized their resistance, calling for an end to the strict enforcement and subsequent punishments related to hijab non-compliance within academic institutions. Iranian security forces swiftly responded, arresting over ten students and detaining several others for hours. Amid these repressive actions, a potent symbol of resistance emerged with the Persian hashtag #نه, translating to "No," trending on Twitter as a sign of solidarity with the student protestors. Fueling this "No" campaign, a powerful statement from the students emerged, declaring, "We, who have become ‘us’ for almost a year now, have nothing to say to you except the word No... we reiterate that we will not turn back." This bold academic uprising has garnered extensive support from other colleges and universities across Iran, highlighting the burgeoning unrest against the Islamic Republic's control over individual freedoms.
- Are You Afraid to Admit You're an Atheist? You're Not Alone, Study Shows
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/are-you-afraid-admit-youre-atheist-youre-not-alone-study-shows
Location: United States
In the face of declining religiosity in the United States, the silent struggle of atheists grappling with social stigma and discrimination has been illuminated in a comprehensive year-long study by Dena Abbott, an assistant professor of counseling psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Abbott's research, which involved 600 atheists – half of whom are women and half residing in rural areas, underlines the reticence of atheists in publicly expressing their non-belief. “Both rural and woman-identifying atheists were thoughtful about not sharing large parts of their worldview,” Abbott emphasized. The study unveils the deep-rooted social pressure and discrimination these groups face, from stereotyping as "sexually immoral" for female atheists to rural atheists' limited access to secular healthcare. Ultimately, Abbott's work aims to arm mental health professionals with insights to better support their non-religious clients, underscoring the profound effect of identity and experienced discrimination on psychological well-being.
- Bedroom Exorcism: Gay TikToker Reveal's Parents' Shocking Homophobia
Location: United States
In a shocking revelation on TikTok, 25-year-old gay TikToker Andrew Hartzler from Kansas City shared his parents' extreme homophobia, recounting how they once hired a preacher to perform an exorcism in his bedroom in an attempt to change his sexuality. Hartzler captured the bizarre ordeal on hidden cameras he had installed to protect his privacy. The footage showed the preacher, identified as John Jacobs, fervently shouting and using religious rituals on Hartzler's clothes, closets, and belongings. Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Hartzler mentioned that his parents had previously subjected him to years of conversion therapy and even sent him to a Christian university in hopes of changing his sexual orientation. Posting the video, Hartzler aimed to shed light on the right-wing Christian fanatics who view homosexuality as evil and perpetuate harmful practices despite lacking substantial evidence.
- How the Left Failed Iran - A Must-Watch Speech!
Are you ready for a deep dive into an urgent global issue? Atheist Republic's President and CEO Susanna McIntyre's powerful speech on the Iranian Revolution, recently presented at the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara, is now available for your viewing on YouTube. Watch it here and get drawn into her passionate presentation titled "The Great Betrayal: How the Western Left Has Failed Iran". Delivered as a highlight of Women's Month, Susanna exposes the heartbreaking story of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian woman who met her tragic end at the hands of the morality police. She invites viewers to join her in challenging the silent acceptance of ongoing human rights violations by the Islamic Iranian regime. Her riveting speech, praised for its incisive analysis and emotional depth, addresses the cultural relativism and subdued expectations harbored by some in the Western left-leaning circles. Don't miss this crucial conversation. Click here to watch Susanna McIntyre's speech now and remember to like, comment, and share!
- Allah is Gay, Baby! Happy Pride!
In this week's edition of Atheist Republic news, Armin Navabi and Susanna engage in a lively conversation to mark the culmination of Pride Month. Paying tribute to the vibrant Pride parades that traditionally light up the final weekend of June, the team revisits the bold demonstration "Allah is gay," where Armin audaciously marches through Vancouver Pride brandishing a sign emblazoned with the provocative slogan. The stirring video can be found here. Armin's courage shines through as he confronts the significant challenge of breaking taboos around homosexuality & blasphemy- a daring act considering the severe consequences it could have in some countries. The video underscores the importance of carving out spaces free from persecution and fostering acceptance and hope. The Atheist Republic team stands in solidarity with everyone engaged in this struggle and encourages their audience to persist in the fight for global equality and freedom of expression!
