How to build a solid and diverse humanist network
A blog post by Anya Overmann, President of Young Humanists International
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Climate Action in the Humanist Community
In the pursuit of climate justice, it’s not hard to see why, in recent years, young people all around the…
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This is how Humanists International helped my family and I to find freedom
The story of Mahmoud Jama Ahmed, who escaped persecution in Somalia and reached safety abroad.
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Humanists International welcomes UN Report on Freedom of Thought
Humanists International has welcomed a report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Dr Ahmed Shaheed,…
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“As an atheist in Syria, I am not free to be myself”: the story of W.
An interview with a Syrian atheist in the closet.
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Mahmoud’s journey to freedom
How we helped a Somali professor persecuted for blasphemy and apostasy to reach safety.
The persecution
In 2019, Professor Mahmoud Jama Ahmed became the target of religious fundamentalists because of his criticism of Islam. Arrested in March 2019, he spent 307 days in jail on blasphemy charges. After being released on presidential pardon in February 2020, some Imams started preaching that Mahmoud should be killed, because he am an ‘apostate of Islam’ and apostates should be killed even if they repent.
One year in hiding
Mahmoud and his family left Somalia and found shelter in a neighbouring country, where they lived in hiding for one long year thanks to the support of Humanists International, who provided financial assistance.
Safety
In April 2021, Mahmoud and his family managed to resettle to a safe country, where they are slowly rebuilding their lives. As confirmed by Mahmoud himself: "All this could not have been possible without the support of Humanists International."
The persecution
One year in hiding
Safety
Providing free mental health therapy to ex-Muslims at risk
An example of how we support our Members and Associates around the world through our Growth & Development Plan.
Membership application
Faithless Hijabi was established in October 2018 and since then the organization helped hundreds of ex-Muslims from all over the world to overcome the challenges related to leaving Islam. In July 2020, Faithless Hijabi applied for membership with Humanists International. On 16 October 2020, the General Assembly ratified their membership: Faithless Hijabi is officially an Associate of Humanists International.
The grant
In December 2020, Humanists International announced the 2021 Grants Scheme. Faithless Hijabi applied for a grant for their Mental Health Program. After careful evaluation, the Grants Committee of Humanists International awarded £5,000 to support the project.
Project implementation
After receiving the first half of the grant, the Mental Health Program received a significant boost, managing to support more than 20 ex-Muslims in developing countries between March and October 2021.
Membership application
The grant
Project implementation
Further delays in court proceedings are a blow to the quest for justice for Mubarak Bala
Further delays in court proceedings
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At UN, Humanists call on Denmark to improve on non-discrimination in terms of FoRB
Statement made by Danish Humanist Society and Humanists International on Denmark at the UN Human Rights Council, during the UPR.
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