Arab Muslims-turned-atheists: Out of the shadows and onto the Internet

[rug]

Diaa Hadid / The Associated Press
Posted: 08/10/2013 02:16:11 AM PDT | Updated: a day ago

Rafat Awad fervently preached Islam at his university, encouraging his fellow students to read the Quran and pray. But throughout, the young Palestinian-born pharmacist had gnawing doubts. The more he tried to resolve them, the more they grew.

Finally he told his parents, both devout Muslims, that he was an atheist. They brought home clerics to talk with him, trying in vain to bring him back to the faith. Finally, they gave up.

”It was the domino effect -- you hit the first pin and it keeps on going and going,” said Awad, 23, who grew up in the United Arab Emirates and lives there. “I thought: It doesn't make sense anymore. I became a new person then.”

An openly self-described atheist is an extreme rarity in the Arab world, where the Muslim majority is on the whole deeply conservative. It's socially tolerated to not be actively religious, to decide not to pray or carry out other acts of faith, or to have secular attitudes. But to outright declare oneself an atheist can lead to ostracism by family and friends, and if too public, can draw retaliation from Islamist hard-liners or even authorities.

http://www.times-standard.com/faith_spirituality/ci_23835182/arab-muslims-turned-atheists-out-shadows-and-onto

[cbayer]

1. These are brave people indeed.

I have learned a great deal since my daughter married a Muslim. I did not really understand how difficult it would be for her husband in regards to his family.

To be honest, it has also been very difficult for her fundamentalist grandmother and mother, but not as extreme.

I think he is a Muslim in name only, but I don't think he would ever say that to his family. She would most likely describe herself as an atheist, but that's not going to be said either.

[rug]

2. If and when they have children, you know what to expect.

As long as they keep religion in perspective, I bet they'll be fine.

[cbayer]

4. It will likely be their next major hurdle.

In many ways, I think this has stregnthened their relationship and bodes well for the future.

They have both made compromises, both for each other and for their respective families. They've done it in a very respectful way.

They are saying "no kids" at this point, but you know how that often turns out.

We shall see.

[dimbear]

3. Stay safe, Rafat. You are an apostate, and while opinions differ apostasy is often judged a

capital offense against Islam.

We need living brave atheists far more than we need martyrs.

Watch your step.

Good luck.