- Indian Ex-Muslim Arrested for Blasphemy & Criticizing Islam
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/indian-ex-muslim-arrested-blasphemy-criticizing-islam
Location: India
On December 29th, Aneesh Jasy, a well-known Tamil Ex-Muslim Atheist with a large social media following, was arrested by police in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. Aneesh posted a meme comparing Prophet Mohammad with Annapoorani Arasu Amma, a self-proclaimed god-woman. In the caption he pointed out that Muslims readily agree that this “god-woman” is ridiculous, but fail to realize that the Prophet Mohammad’s claims were similarly ridiculous 1400 years ago. He was charged under the Indian Penal Code for “deliberate and malicious acts meant to outrage religious feelings,” “promoting enmity between different groups of religion, race, place of birth, etc.,” and “making statements relating to public mischief.” The organization Ex-Muslims of India reported that his application for bail was rejected twice, and they speculate that Islamists were behind his arrest, as he was recently threatened with being sent to jail during a public discussion on the social audio app Clubhouse.
- "Entry Prohibited to Non-Hindus" Posters Erected at Ganges River
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/entry-prohibited-non-hindus-posters-erected-ganges-river
Location: India
In early January, discriminatory posters were found along the Ganges River in Varanasi, India, that read in large text, “Entry Prohibited - Non-Hindus”. The body of the poster said the stairways that go directly into the river and temples along the Ganges are symbols of the Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), and that only those who have faith and belief in Sanatan Dharma are welcome. The poster concluded in a larger text, “This is not a request, but a warning.” Varanasi Police identified Rajan Gupta and Nikhil Tripathi, members of the hardline right-wing hindu groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal respectively, as the perpetrators. Tripathi stated to reporters "Non-Hindus violate the purity of the ghats (the stairways into the river). That is why this warning has been issued to them." They were detained for “breaching the peace” and the police have launched an investigation. The posters were removed by the police with the help of volunteers.
- Indian Muslim Cleric Issues Fatwa: No Music at Weddings
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/indian-muslim-cleric-issues-fatwa-no-music-weddings
Location: India
On January 5th, Muslim clerics in the Jama Masjid in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, India, issued a fatwa against playing music at any function, be it marriage, funeral, or any other occasion. According to the fatwa, individuals who will defy the rule will need to publicly apologize during Friday prayers and pay a fine. If a cleric visits such a house, he will be penalized as well. BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi, in an interview in The Times Now, questioned "Why do they have a problem with those who work as DJs, etc., and earn a living?" This newest fatwa also prohibited the banging of drums, not just for musical accompaniment, but even when trying to scare away animals.
- "Ex-Muslim Day Declared in India!"
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/ex-muslim-day-declared-india
Location: India
Leaders of the Ex-Muslims of Kerala (EMK) recently met in the Indian state’s capital of Kochi and declared January 9th “Kerala Ex-Muslim Day!” EMK is an organization that provides a supportive platform for those who left or wish to leave Islam in the Indian state of Kerala. According to EMK’s president Liyakkathali CM, January 9th was chosen as the date of commemoration because it marked the anniversary of the locally held debate on Islam between Islamic preacher M.M. Akbar and rationalist E.A. Jabbar. This debate sparked widespread open criticism of religion in the area, and prompted many people to leave Islam. In a press release, the organization stated that “The problems faced by Ex-Muslims just for renouncing their religion are unmatched when compared to other religions.” Furthermore, the organization plans to take legal actions against all atrocities committed in the name of religious traditions or practices that violate basic human rights.
- Supreme Court of India Intervenes in Violent Hate Speech Against Muslims
Location: India
On January 12th, India’s Supreme Court announced it will petition to seek the prosecution of several Hindu leaders for making highly inflammatory speeches against Muslims at a closed-door meeting back in December 2021. Atheist Republic previously discussed these extremely worrying speeches in which several Hindu leaders urged the audience to, if necessary, take up arms, kill people, and do whatever it takes to make India a Hindu-only nation. The Court has told the state government of Uttarakhand that they will be launching an investigation into the grave matter. The first arrest related to this investigation occurred when Wasem Rizvi, formerly a prominent Shia Muslim who recently converted to Hinduism, was arrested on January 14th for his incendiary statements during the speeches that directly incited violence against the Muslim minority of India.
- Indonesian Woman Caned 100 times For Adultery
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/indonesian-woman-caned-100-times-adultery
Location: Indonesia
On January 13th, a man and a woman were publicly flogged for the “crime” of adultery in the Aceh province of Indonesia. The couple was caught back in 2018 at a palm oil plantation where the man was allegedly “showing affection to a female partner who is not his wife.” Aceh is the only province in Indonesia where Sharia law is maintained as part of a 2005 autonomy deal made with the central Indonesian government. Based on Sharia, both of them were penalized with public lashings. The man, who refused to confess to the accusation, received 15 lashes, while the woman, who did confess, received an overwhelming 100. Human rights groups and even Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, condemn public lashing as cruel and have called for it to end. However, the local population of Aceh strongly supports such punishments.
- Shocking Details of Attempted Honor Killing In Australia Revealed in Court
Location: Australia
A recent court hearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court exposed how far some families are willing to go to maintain control of their daughters. On November 30th, 2021, a 21-year-old Muslim woman was stabbed multiple times and kidnapped from a parking lot of Sefton Plaza Shopping Center in Sefton Park, Australia. The five perpetrators have been identified as members of the victim's family. The attack left the victim with "perforated kidney, lacerated liver, and significant internal bleeding." While the victim was in the intensive care unit, her bank account was drained, leaving only 17 cents. Her boyfriend's house was also broken into two days before the attack. Five members of the victim's family have been charged with attempted murder. The victim's father was charged with illegal detention after driving the victim back to their Blair Athol residence without calling an ambulance. According to the prosecutors, the attack appears to be an attempted honor-killing. It was stated that the victim's family disapproved of her Christian boyfriend. To protect the victim from probable future attacks, bail has been refused for all suspects.
- Pope Warns “Cancel Culture” is a “Form of Ideological Colonization”
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/pope-warns-cancel-culture-form-ideological-colonization
Location: Vatican
On January 10th, Pope Francis spoke against the growing trend of “cancel-culture,” calling it "one-track thinking"that can alter accounts of past historical events. The Pope’s comments came after a draft of a European Union communications manual, titled Union of Equality was released last October. The 30-page guide aims to create more gender-neutral language in support of the LGBTQ community. The guide also suggests the use of inclusive languages regarding holidays, such as Christmas. The pope stated that these attempts at sidelining Christianity are "a form of ideological colonization, one that leaves no room for freedom of expression." While the Pope did not use any specific cancel culture examples, he insisted that history must be interpreted in the context of its own time. Cardinal Pietro Parolin stated that Europe owes its identity to Christianity and the cancellation of its roots is "against reality."
- Indian Villagers Take Oath to Boycott Muslims
https://thewire.in/society/chhattisgarh-video-shows-hindu-villagers-taking-oath-to-boycott-muslims
Location: India
A video has recently been making the rounds on social media in which a large crowd from a village in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh are seen making a public oath to "boycott Muslims." In the video, they are heard declaring, "We Hindus will not buy goods from any Muslim shopkeeper, will not sell or rent our land to any Muslim... We Hindus pledge to buy from vendors coming to our villages only after ascertaining their religion. We also pledge to not work as laborers for them." According to some sources, this oath was allegedly prompted by an assault that occurred between the inhabitants of two different villages. Local authorities have opened an investigation to identify who lead the crowd in reciting this oath.
- Atheist Republic Launches African-Language Content: Afrikaans & Sesotho!
Location: South Africa
Atheist Republic is excited to announce that we now provide atheist content in two African languages; Afrikaans & Sesotho! This content is featured on the Atheist Republic Cape Town YouTube Channel, which is dedicated to putting a special focus on African atheists, their thoughts, the issues they face, and their diversity. Dean Kruger, a leader in the Cape Town consulate, hosts the Afrikaans-language content, while Bolelang, another South African Atheist Republic member, hosts the Sesotho-language content. Atheist Republic now provides content in five languages; English, Farsi, Arabic, Afrikaans, and Sesotho! Suppose you don’t speak Afrikaans or Sesotho; no need to worry. The Atheist Republic Cape Town YouTube Channel also has lots of fantastic content in English, including incredible interviews with figures like notable Nigerian humanist Dr. Leo Igwe, Zara Kay, the founder of Faithless Hijabi, and Dr. Joshua Bowen of Digital Hammurabi. Make sure to check it out!
