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Tags: (SPEISA) — On Thursday night, Ex-Muslim of Norway showcased their work and the need for ex-Muslims in the public debate in Norway – and the rest of the world.
– It is the first time we have a public meeting. We want to explain why we have started the association and what we stand for. And to say a little about the kind of challenges we face, both in Norway and elsewhere. We want to normalize criticism of Islam and normalize leaving Islam, says Cemal Yucel Knudsen (pictured) to Nettavisen.
Cemal Yucel Knudsen comes from Turkey and has Kurdish origin. He is a former Islamist and was active in the youth branch of Milli Gorus in Turkey. He is now an ex-Muslim, atheist, social commentator, leader and founder of EX-MN.
Lily Bandehy (pictured) is a refugee from the Islamic regime in Iran. She is deputy leader of EX-MN, an author, feminist, social commentator and Islam critic, with her own blog.
Walid al-Kubaisi is a refugee from Iraq and a board member of EX-MN, author, journalist, a regular columnist, social commentator, Islam critic, lecturer, and winner of the Freedom of Expression Prize 2016.
Eystein Emberland is a board member of EX-MN. He is a humanist, religion critic and one of the founders of the organization Secular Forum.
Leaving Islam does not come without consequences, and the penalty is non other than death. Therefore it goes without saying that these people are very brave, and they are certainly contributing to the current ongoing debate.