Short Summary
The Algerian sociologist Marieme Helie Lucas (founder of the ’Women Living Under Muslim Laws’ international solidarity network and ’Secularism Is A Women’s Issue’) and Maryam Namazie (Iranian-born campaigner and Spokesperson of One Law for All, the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain) are organising an historic International conference on the Religious-Right, Secularism and Civil Rights during 11-12 October 2014 in London.
The global rise of the religious-Right, including but not limited to Islamic State (or ISIS), and their efforts to gain political power and control the state apparatus and public institutions has meant that organised religions’ role vis-a-vis the state as well as secularism and the complete separation of religion from the state have become critical political and civil rights matters.
The fight for secularism is one of the most important fights of this century, which is not marked by a religious or spiritual revival. What we witnessing is the rise of extreme-Right political movements, working under the cover of religion. Everywhere. No one is spared.
Secularists are being attacked in many places in the world today: they are jailed, killed, tortured; their very existence is considered an offence to believers in many non-secular states.
There is a critical need for secularists around the world to come together and examine their situations, highlight the voices of the many persecuted and exiled, to exchange information, to strategise and to join hands,
Secularism, our challenge to Islamism and the religious-Right, is the impetus behind the 11-12 October 2014 International Conference on the Religious Right, Secularism and Civil Rights in London with speakers from countries or the Diaspora as diverse as Algeria, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, France, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Senegal, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, UK, USA and Yemen.
What We Need & What You Get
The conference aims to establish an international front of secularists. To do this effectively, we are in dire need of funding to be able to bring frontline secularists fighting the religious-Right at great risk to themselves to London for the duration of the conference. We need funding for the travel of secularists from Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as well as visa costs, accommodation and meals whilst they are here, Some of them are: Amel Grami, a Professor
at the Tunisian University of Manouba who was on the frontlines of Manouba’s
successful struggle to defy a Salafist siege last year and is a leading expert
on Religion and Women’s Studies. Ben Baz Aziz is a Presenter at Arab
Atheist broadcasting and a blogger focusing on LGBT and atheist rights in the
Middle East who was imprisoned in Kuwait for blasphemy. Imad Iddine Habib is a Moroccan atheist
threatened for his atheism, founder of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco, the
first public atheist organisation in a country with Islam as the state
religion. Pervez Hoodbhoy is a Pakistani nuclear physicist and recipient
of a number of awards. He is also a prominent environmentalist and social
activist. Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi-born award-winning writer,
physician, and activist, known for her powerful writings on women oppression
and unflinching criticism of religion, despite forced exile and multiple fatwas
calling for her death and others.
In return, and depending on your contribution, you will get various perks including a conference programme signed by speakers, your name mentioned in our programme, to free entry to the conference. Most importantly, you will get the satisfaction knowing that you have helped secularists get together to help consolidate their challenge to Islamism and the religious-Right.
Even if we don't manage to raise the full amount, whatever is raised will go towards bringing as many secularists as possible so please do help.
The conference is already being supported by Atheist Alliance International; Bread and Roses TV; Center for Inquiry; Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain; Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran; Fitnah – Movement for Women’s Liberation; International Committee against Stoning; International Committee against Execution; International Federation of Iranian Refugees; Iran Solidarity; National Secular Society; One Law for All; Secularism is a Women’s Issue; The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science UK; and Women Living Under Muslim Laws amongst others but the costs are so huge that we need public support to make it a reality.
The Impact
We don't think anyone needs persuading of the dangers of the religious-Right and Islamism. They are wreaking havoc and slaughtering people as we speak. They are well-organised and funded and work across borders and boundaries. Secularists must organise across borders and boundaries too. The demand for secularism, universal values, citizenship rights are important challenges to the fascism of our era. The conference will be a historic one and you could have had a part in helping make it a reality.
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you can't contribute, don't worry. Just help us get the word out about the conference. Ask people to come to the conference and get to know the issues and people on the frontlines of fighting the religious-Right. Support secularism and the separation of religion from the state. Support us in any way you can.
Secularism is our challenge to the religious-Right. It's our alternative.
Secularism, today, now.
