Aliyah Saleem is an ex-Muslim atheist who attended an Islamic school in Britain for five years. She also studied in an Islamic institution for a year in Pakistan. Having left Islam at 19, Aliyah has since spoken about ex-Muslim issues as well as advocating for secular education. She is the co-founder of Faith to Faithless, an organisation that raises awareness of the discrimination and prejudiced faced by people who leave religion. Aliyah is an ex-hijabi and niqabi who has also written about her work and personal experiences for The Times.
You can follow Aliyah on Twitter @ali_jones89 and through her blog, www.aliyahsaleem.wordpress.com.
Hate to rain on the parade here, but I had this young lady as a “friend” on both Facebook and Twitter. We followed each other, liked one another’s posts, commented, and polemicized…
…until!
Until I dared to express the view that I was uncomfortable with ostentatious breastfeeding in public. I said it involved bodily fluids and was hence gross. It took her literally two minutes to unfriend, unfollow, and block me.
“Sorry” but, whatever her personal journey and experience, she–like Maryam Namazie–has still not embraced pluralism, tolerance, and free thought. She retains the fascistoid tendencies of her Islamic upbringing. Her story does have value. that is certain, but beware of lionizing her.
I added you, and then became disheartened at how right wing you are. I am looking at your Facebook page now I see that you are behind Trump for the presidency. I suppose when you equated breast milk with urine or semen I had had enough. I blocked you because I didn’t want to engage with you any further. That is my right as I have ownership over who I wish to speak to.
Adding you as a friend was obviously a mistake if you can throw your vote behind a man who wants to build a wall to keep Mexicans out, ban Muslims from entering the USA and is stupid enough to speak about his penis size during a debate that will be aired across the world.
You wrote this on your facebook page:
‘The G.O.P. establishment had better take heed: We KNOW you are rigging the voting process, we KNOW you are conducting a dirty-tricks campaign against Trump, we KNOW you will stop at almost nothing to steal the primaries from Trump. If it does happen, be prepared to spend years in the political wilderness because we WILL punish you in Senate and House elections for years to come. Plus, we’ll end up with Hillary as POTUS because there is no way in hell Cruz or Rubio will defeat her.
Don’t be stupid. The People want Donald Trump. You defy our wishes at your great peril.’
I am glad I unfriended you so I didn’t have to see all your hysterical Trump posts.
Removing religion from the system can be such a relief, and gives so much time to explore the world, ease to deal and appreciate more to life. It brings center to oneself in so much beautiful way
Ms Saleem writes a wonderful and sensible article and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. From the above comment by Michael I can see clearly that she does not suffer fools greatly and I commend her again in her response. Americans who vote for Donald Trump are certainly a strange breed.
Yes it happened a long time ago in my case, once you stop believing how free and light one feels has stuck in my memory. I have long maintained that Atheists of the world regardless of gender, culture, language or region must unite. Individual emancipation from the tyranny of religion is good but as human being we seek and crave comradeship of like minded, At a personal and social level it is not easy to be an atheist, but if truth matters to you there is no other way to be. Best wishes.
I do not understand your attitude,even though I applaud your leaving the shackles of Islam.
What is wrong with a man who wants to stòp and control run away immigration ?
Should we not control our borders at all anymore ?Does Pakistan and other countries have border controls ?
What is wrong to prevent weirdo muslims with a penchant for violent and scary behaviors and customs such as your ex coreligionists at whose hands you seem to have suffered much as well as countless millions ,to enter the US.?
Or are we to açcept everyone and anyone indiscriminately in any numbers without conditions even though it is evident that there are individuals amongst them who have less than peaceful intentions,even murderous criminals ?
Can we emigrate to Pakistan freely?
Why did your family emigrate to the UK ?
Could Islam’ideology itself be the cause for all that poverty and misery?Why should we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by it ?
@Peter “I do not understand your attitude,even though I applaud your leaving the shackles of Islam.
What is wrong with a man who wants to stòp and control run away immigration ?
Should we not control our borders at all anymore ?Does Pakistan and other countries have border controls ?…”
The thing is, Trump didn’t just say ‘weirdo Muslims’ or ‘some Mexican immigrants are criminals’. He is a lazy-minded bigot who will say anything to get into office, plain and simple.
Vêry sad: your parents did all for u: but u gone your own way.u have got freedom from cloths,hijab,parents,family &religious belief etc.it would not give u satisfaction.Islam is religion of peace ,love,respect .its creation of creator not mankind.scince is all about Quran.scintists study Quran and get benefit of it .
May Allaha bless u
Aliyah, I understand how you feel. It appears from your writing on Islam, have missed the beauty of religion. A person in your circumstances would have bolted from any faith, it’s understandable. Is there any Ayah in the glorious Quran which you find, worth an atom’s weight, can uplift humankind. I am sure you will.
I am cinched you are well aware of the west wall of Supreme Court of USA, frieze depicting Muhammad PBUH among 18 “lawgivers” above Supreme Court justices’ bench.
I never went to any madrasa growing up in Lahore, would not know be able to relate to your personal experience. But I am confident you can quote me one Ayah, liberating oneself, which no other holy books offer.
1. Help me understand there is no God
2. I extend you an invitation on my live radio show, (what Quran says) to explore Islamic values. Send me an email.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Thank you.
Nadeem Naik
I can’t speak for Aliyah, but here’s some verses that I find interesting:
These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water
By which is melted that within their bellies and [their] skins.
And for [striking] them are maces of iron.
Every time they want to get out of Hellfire from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], “Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!” http://quran.com/22/19-22
Every other verse of the Qur’an could be love and roses, but they still wouldn’t excuse these verses which describe an insanely cruel punishment for the mere ‘crime’ of rejecting Islam’s unsubstantiated claims.
Allah is the ‘most merciful’?? No, Allah is the most irrational & sadistic.
So unfortunate that you left a flawless religion. May Allah give you hidayat and make your akhirat better for you. I wish you return to islam beforr its too late. sit somewhere alone and ponder over whether you have done right to be an atheist.
As believers people would feel cheated if no all mighty is found but non believers is in win win Situation ….if thy exist it’s bonus and total blank would be long time conviction.
” I have now been Godless for around six years. I now dance, listen to music, go out at night, wear whatever the fuck I like and do as I please. I spent all of my teen years in a mental cage, and I have done my best to burst free from that. I have never regretted the decision to leave Islam, and to choose my own path. As an ex-Muslim I have dealt with a lot of difficulties.”I quote U my free thinking sister. ” although u might b in a cage b4 but now u re free. Tell is there any religion dat will tolerate wat u now do as a free person who doesn’t belong to any religion? Neither Christianity, Hinduism, bhuduhism, grail msg, enckakar, paganism, etc will never support u to dress half naked. Like d Christians dey say ur body is d temple of God. So if u do what so ever u like is a sin
You should be really proud of where you are now. The moment we are born, our parents and society force their beliefs on our pliable minds, they prevent us from THINKING and developing our own belief systems. You see it everywhere:
-born in America makes you Christian
-born in Pakistan makes you Muslim
-born in Thailand makes you Buddhist
This would not have been the case had the case for religion been so strong.
Hate to rain on the parade here, but I had this young lady as a “friend” on both Facebook and Twitter. We followed each other, liked one another’s posts, commented, and polemicized…
…until!
Until I dared to express the view that I was uncomfortable with ostentatious breastfeeding in public. I said it involved bodily fluids and was hence gross. It took her literally two minutes to unfriend, unfollow, and block me.
“Sorry” but, whatever her personal journey and experience, she–like Maryam Namazie–has still not embraced pluralism, tolerance, and free thought. She retains the fascistoid tendencies of her Islamic upbringing. Her story does have value. that is certain, but beware of lionizing her.
Hey Michael – I do remember you.
I added you, and then became disheartened at how right wing you are. I am looking at your Facebook page now I see that you are behind Trump for the presidency. I suppose when you equated breast milk with urine or semen I had had enough. I blocked you because I didn’t want to engage with you any further. That is my right as I have ownership over who I wish to speak to.
Adding you as a friend was obviously a mistake if you can throw your vote behind a man who wants to build a wall to keep Mexicans out, ban Muslims from entering the USA and is stupid enough to speak about his penis size during a debate that will be aired across the world.
You wrote this on your facebook page:
‘The G.O.P. establishment had better take heed: We KNOW you are rigging the voting process, we KNOW you are conducting a dirty-tricks campaign against Trump, we KNOW you will stop at almost nothing to steal the primaries from Trump. If it does happen, be prepared to spend years in the political wilderness because we WILL punish you in Senate and House elections for years to come. Plus, we’ll end up with Hillary as POTUS because there is no way in hell Cruz or Rubio will defeat her.
Don’t be stupid. The People want Donald Trump. You defy our wishes at your great peril.’
I am glad I unfriended you so I didn’t have to see all your hysterical Trump posts.
Aliyah
Removing religion from the system can be such a relief, and gives so much time to explore the world, ease to deal and appreciate more to life. It brings center to oneself in so much beautiful way
Ms Saleem writes a wonderful and sensible article and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. From the above comment by Michael I can see clearly that she does not suffer fools greatly and I commend her again in her response. Americans who vote for Donald Trump are certainly a strange breed.
Hi Aliyah,
You might find this YouTube video interesting:
https://youtu.be/z_bDgox6iqM
I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Ken B.
Yes it happened a long time ago in my case, once you stop believing how free and light one feels has stuck in my memory. I have long maintained that Atheists of the world regardless of gender, culture, language or region must unite. Individual emancipation from the tyranny of religion is good but as human being we seek and crave comradeship of like minded, At a personal and social level it is not easy to be an atheist, but if truth matters to you there is no other way to be. Best wishes.
I do not understand your attitude,even though I applaud your leaving the shackles of Islam.
What is wrong with a man who wants to stòp and control run away immigration ?
Should we not control our borders at all anymore ?Does Pakistan and other countries have border controls ?
What is wrong to prevent weirdo muslims with a penchant for violent and scary behaviors and customs such as your ex coreligionists at whose hands you seem to have suffered much as well as countless millions ,to enter the US.?
Or are we to açcept everyone and anyone indiscriminately in any numbers without conditions even though it is evident that there are individuals amongst them who have less than peaceful intentions,even murderous criminals ?
Can we emigrate to Pakistan freely?
Why did your family emigrate to the UK ?
Could Islam’ideology itself be the cause for all that poverty and misery?Why should we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by it ?
Did you not suffer enough ?
@Peter “I do not understand your attitude,even though I applaud your leaving the shackles of Islam.
What is wrong with a man who wants to stòp and control run away immigration ?
Should we not control our borders at all anymore ?Does Pakistan and other countries have border controls ?…”
The thing is, Trump didn’t just say ‘weirdo Muslims’ or ‘some Mexican immigrants are criminals’. He is a lazy-minded bigot who will say anything to get into office, plain and simple.
Vêry sad: your parents did all for u: but u gone your own way.u have got freedom from cloths,hijab,parents,family &religious belief etc.it would not give u satisfaction.Islam is religion of peace ,love,respect .its creation of creator not mankind.scince is all about Quran.scintists study Quran and get benefit of it .
May Allaha bless u
Brave woman! I wish the world had more of you.
Aliyah, I understand how you feel. It appears from your writing on Islam, have missed the beauty of religion. A person in your circumstances would have bolted from any faith, it’s understandable. Is there any Ayah in the glorious Quran which you find, worth an atom’s weight, can uplift humankind. I am sure you will.
I am cinched you are well aware of the west wall of Supreme Court of USA, frieze depicting Muhammad PBUH among 18 “lawgivers” above Supreme Court justices’ bench.
I never went to any madrasa growing up in Lahore, would not know be able to relate to your personal experience. But I am confident you can quote me one Ayah, liberating oneself, which no other holy books offer.
1. Help me understand there is no God
2. I extend you an invitation on my live radio show, (what Quran says) to explore Islamic values. Send me an email.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Thank you.
Nadeem Naik
I can’t speak for Aliyah, but here’s some verses that I find interesting:
These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water
By which is melted that within their bellies and [their] skins.
And for [striking] them are maces of iron.
Every time they want to get out of Hellfire from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], “Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!”
http://quran.com/22/19-22
Every other verse of the Qur’an could be love and roses, but they still wouldn’t excuse these verses which describe an insanely cruel punishment for the mere ‘crime’ of rejecting Islam’s unsubstantiated claims.
Allah is the ‘most merciful’?? No, Allah is the most irrational & sadistic.
So unfortunate that you left a flawless religion. May Allah give you hidayat and make your akhirat better for you. I wish you return to islam beforr its too late. sit somewhere alone and ponder over whether you have done right to be an atheist.
As believers people would feel cheated if no all mighty is found but non believers is in win win Situation ….if thy exist it’s bonus and total blank would be long time conviction.
All these for $ ………………… i have notice all the conversion after left from the home country….and moving to Europe so the main reason Money………………
Denial is not just a river in Egypt :)..
” I have now been Godless for around six years. I now dance, listen to music, go out at night, wear whatever the fuck I like and do as I please. I spent all of my teen years in a mental cage, and I have done my best to burst free from that. I have never regretted the decision to leave Islam, and to choose my own path. As an ex-Muslim I have dealt with a lot of difficulties.”I quote U my free thinking sister. ” although u might b in a cage b4 but now u re free. Tell is there any religion dat will tolerate wat u now do as a free person who doesn’t belong to any religion? Neither Christianity, Hinduism, bhuduhism, grail msg, enckakar, paganism, etc will never support u to dress half naked. Like d Christians dey say ur body is d temple of God. So if u do what so ever u like is a sin
You should be really proud of where you are now. The moment we are born, our parents and society force their beliefs on our pliable minds, they prevent us from THINKING and developing our own belief systems. You see it everywhere:
-born in America makes you Christian
-born in Pakistan makes you Muslim
-born in Thailand makes you Buddhist
This would not have been the case had the case for religion been so strong.