Countdown2Control

Is that right? You mean the authentic Quranic Arabic like that of Saudi Arabia’s Salafis, the interpretation that’s the source of ISIS. Good to know what real Islam is all about then! Thanks for that!

We live in constant fear or someone finding out or accidentally slipping up and just screaming at your parents you don’t believe in god anymore. It’s tiring. But it has to be done.

Do your family/friends know and if so, how did they react? In my family its just my parents and siblings that know. My father is in denial because he just can’t comprehend anyone leaving Islam and my mother she wasn’t really surprised however she did try to lecture me. Muslims friends, I don’t really associate much with now but the ones that I do have are aware and accepting. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced being an Open ExMuslim? I think perhaps one of the biggest challenges is that I am no longer able to have a functioning relationship with my immediate family. Do you have any words of advice for fellow ExMuslims? Don’t put others happiness before your own. Always know that you are only living once, so live your life that way you would want to live it. You can reach Farah on twitter @eastmigrant

Do your family/friends know and if so, how did they react? In my family its just my parents and siblings that know. My father is in denial because he just can’t comprehend anyone leaving Islam and my mother she wasn’t really surprised however she did try to lecture me. Muslims friends, I don’t really associate much with now but the ones that I do have are aware and accepting. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced being an Open ExMuslim? I think perhaps one of the biggest challenges is that I am no longer able to have a functioning relationship with my immediate family. Do you have any words of advice for fellow ExMuslims? Don’t put others happiness before your own. Always know that you are only living once, so live your life that way you would want to live it. You can reach Farah on twitter @eastmigrant

I’m not talking about what Catholics/Christians did or didn’t do, I’m talking about Islam. The religion that I grew up in. The religion that told me I am worth half a man. The religion that told me I am forbidden to talk to men. The religion that told me I had to wear a hijab/niqab. The religion that told me I must obey my husband. The religion that told me I am cursed if I refuse to have sex with my husband. The religion that filled me with despair and depression. The religion that destroyed ever ounce of my self identity. The religion that made me feel as though my worth was only my hymen.

Its a process and you dont know when the wheels turned, when the wind shifted. It just did and you’re a whole new person because of it. After that, after that point of realisation, return is truly impossible.

This was happening in a school in Australia which was receiving government funding.

Mandala tattoo on the left inner forearm. Tattoo artist: rachainsworth

File under “Things that really shouldn’t need to be said.” My condolences and prayers go out to the victims’ freinds/families and all those who are hurting right now.