Sunday, June 1, 2025
MAKE A DONATION
Get in Touch
The Free Speech Union
Member Login
BECOME A MEMBER
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
      • Company Staff
      • Founders & Board
      • Advisory Council
      • Legal Advisory Council
      • Writer’s Advisory Council
      • Scottish Advisory Council
      • Northern Ireland Advisory Council
    • The Freedoms We Defend​
      • Freedom of Speech
      • Freedom of Expression
      • Academic Freedom
      • Freedom of the Press
      • Freedom of Religion
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
  • Latest News
  • FAQS
  • Resources
    • Informative Guides
      • Online Offences Related to Civil Disorder FAQs
      • FAQs About Scotland’s Hate Crime Act
      • FAQs About What to do if You’re Contacted by Police Scotland About a Speech-Related Complaint
      • Freedom of Speech Online FAQs
      • Freedom of Expression on Campus FAQs
      • How to Make a Freedom of Information Request
      • Gender Pronouns in the Workplace
      • How to Remove Non Crime Hate Incident from your Police Record
      • Navigating Social Media and the Workplace
      • What to do if You’ve Been De-Banked
      • Anti-Racism and Unconscious Bias Training
      • The Governments Consultation on Reforming the Human Rights Act
    • Briefing Documents
    • Press Releases
    • Media
    • Letters
    • Teaching Materials
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Weekly News Podcast
    • Guest Interviews & Debates
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Labour’s War on Free Speech
    • Higher Education Act
    • Conversion Therapy Ban
    • Say No to Banter Bouncers
    • Time to Scrap Non-Crime Hate Incidents
  • Apply For a Grant
  • Shop
The Free Speech Union
Join Today

“Shocking” findings of ex-Muslims study shared at NSS Members’ Day

  • BY Frederick Attenborough
  • December 2, 2024
“Shocking” findings of ex-Muslims study shared at NSS Members’ Day

The “staggering” findings of research into the experiences of ex-Muslims in the UK were revealed at the National Secular Society’s (NSS’s) Members’ Day.

Dr Ben Jones, a doctoral researcher at the University of Warwick and the FSU’s director of case management, spoke at the NSS’s annual gathering about his research into the challenges faced by people who leave Islam. His research, presented ahead of Ex-Muslim Awareness Month in December, was partly funded by the NSS. The NSS has the story:

Calling the extent of his findings “absolutely staggering”, Dr Jones found numerous individuals wanting to leave Islam have been forced to live secret ‘double lives’, had their finances seized by relatives, and have even faced physical abuse.

He said the stories he heard were “shocking” and “shouldn’t happen in any country, let alone the UK”.

In one case, documented in an opinion piece published by the NSS, the police told a 19 year old lesbian feeling under threat that she should not talk openly about leaving Islam.

Dr Jones said censorship of discussion about Islam is “probably much worse” now than ten years ago, and referred to MP Tahir Ali who last week called for a ‘blasphemy law’ protecting all religious texts and “Abrahamic” prophets from “desecration”.

He said that if the Government adopted the widely-criticised ‘Islamophobia’ definition proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, it would make even more difficult for ex-Muslims to speak about their oppressions.

Ex-Muslims would be “unfree to talk about their lives” and “unfree to express their views”, he said.

Dr Jones called on the NSS to continue to “campaign stubbornly for freedom of speech”.

Worth reading in full.

Previous Post

Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi released from prison

Next Post

Christian fights blasphemy charges in Pakistani social media entrapment case

Join the Free Speech Union

One annual investment for complete peace of mind.

As a member, you’ll have access to an array of resources and support, ensuring you can speak your mind without fear of being cancelled. Our experienced team provides guidance, support and – at our discretion – assistance with legal action. We will defend your right to speak your mind, however unorthodox your views, provided you don’t say anything unlawful.

Join Today

Make a Donation

Listen to our weekly news podcast

Listen to Our Past Interviews & Debates

IN THE MEDIA

News Archive

Join Our Community

Become a Member
Make a Donation

© The Free Speech Union Limited

Quick Links

Member Login
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Legal
FAQs
Facebook Twitter-square Youtube

Organisation Address

The Free Speech Union
85 Great Portland Street

London W1W 7LT
+44 020 3920 7865

Get in Touch
Media Enquiries email

Welcome to the Free Speech Union


If you’re looking for information and guidance, or in need of immediate help, please click the button below:
GET IN TOUCH
  • Become a Member
  • Make a Donation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
      • Company Staff
      • Founders & Board
      • Advisory Council
      • Legal Advisory Council
      • Writer’s Advisory Council
      • Scottish Advisory Council
      • Northern Ireland Advisory Council
    • The Freedoms We Defend​
      • Freedom of Speech
      • Freedom of Expression
      • Academic Freedom
      • Freedom of the Press
      • Freedom of Religion
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
  • Latest News
  • FAQs
  • Resources
    • Informative Guides
      • Online Offences Related to Civil Disorder FAQs
      • FAQs About Scotland’s Hate Crime Act
      • FAQs About What to do if You’re Contacted by Police Scotland About a Speech-Related Complaint
      • Freedom of Speech Online FAQs
      • Freedom of Expression on Campus FAQs
      • How to Make a Freedom of Information Request
      • Gender Pronouns in the Workplace
      • How to Remove Non Crime Hate Incident from your Police Record
      • Navigating Social Media and the Workplace
      • What to do if You’ve Been De-Banked
      • Anti-Racism and Unconscious Bias Training
      • The Governments Consultation on Reforming the Human Rights Act
    • Briefing Documents
    • Press Releases
    • Media
    • Letters
    • Teaching Materials
  • Videos
  • Podcast
    • Weekly News Podcast
    • Guest Interviews & Debates
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Labour’s War on Free Speech
    • Higher Education Act
    • Conversion Therapy Ban
    • Say No to Banter Bouncers
    • Time to Scrap Non-Crime Hate Incidents
  • Apply For a Grant
  • Member Login
  • Shop