ABOUT US
Religious Freedom
We’re dedicated to supporting secularism and humanism, with a focus on providing mental health support for ExMuslims. We were established in October 2018 and initially focused on amplifying the voices of women who faced honor violence as a result of their apostasy. Since then, we have expanded our mission to also include advocating for a safe environment for all apostates by offering mental health support.
We understand that leaving the faith can be a difficult and isolating experience, and we are here to offer a supportive community and access to mental health services. Our trained counselors offer one-on-one counselling sessions for ExMuslims who have identified that their mental health is at risk as a result of their apostasy. In addition to our counselling services, we also offer resources and support for ExMuslims to help them navigate their new identity and build a sense of community via our partners and affiliates.
Defending the rights of ExMuslims
At Faithless Hijabi we aim to promote, protect and defend the human rights of ExMuslims.
✽ We believe in universal human rights. This includes people who may or may not subscribe to a religion, regardless of whether they at one point belonged to a religious group or not.
✽We work with ExMuslims from abusive backgrounds by guiding them to the relevant organisations in their country that can support them.
✽ We provide mental health support for ExMuslims who have identified that their mental health has been detrimentally impacted as a result of their apostasy, sexual orientation or gender through verified practices and independent therapists.
✽ Assist ExMuslims who have been affected or are in danger of being affected by violence due to their apostasy with evacuation procedures alongside other secular organisations and relevant agencies in the area.
OUR Values
✽ We practice consent and confidentiality, and prioritize the safety and anonymity of the people reaching out to us.
✽ We prioritize accessibility and believe there should be no barriers to receiving support.
✽ We aspire to be trauma-informed and survivor-centered and affirm the experiences of our communities without judgement
✽ We are non-hierarchical and value collective decision-making and supporting each other’s leadership, strengths, and growth.
✽ We are committed to listening, adapting, and growing based on the needs of our communities, and therefore are open to feedback from those we support
THE FH TEam
We understand the unique challenges that come with leaving a religion and the importance of having a support system in place. Our team is made up of volunteers and board members who work tirelessly to provide a safe and understanding space for those in need. Our volunteers and board members come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience and skills to the table.They are the backbone of our organization working behind the scenes to ensure that our programs are effective and sustainable. Their dedication and compassion make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
Zara Kay
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Johanna Browne
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Nick F.
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Kat Parker
Ghada Z.
Rose
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Join Us
We are always looking for new volunteers and board members to join our team.
If you are passionate about helping others and want to make a difference in the lives of ExMuslims, we encourage you to reach out to us. We believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute and we would be honored to have you on our team.
Reach out to: jo.browne@faithlesshijabi.org
Publications
On being a Faithless Hijabi
by Nick F.
The plight of Ex-Muslims has become one of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time. While no religion tolerates dissent, leaving Islam currently carries the most severe of penalties, with apostates remaining in hiding for fear of facing the death penalty in over a dozen countries, incarceration in many others, as well as being ostracised from their families.
Ex-Muslims have been slowly receiving more coverage in recent years, yet one topic that has yet to receive sufficient attention is the mental health of apostates from Muslim backgrounds. And while mental health has received more mainstream attention in the last five years within the West, the two have yet to meet.
Read More on Medium: On being a Faithless Hijabi
Finding Freedom
Faithless Hijabi’s
Mental Health Program
By Zara Kay
Dissent within religious communities is seldom tolerated, but leaving Islam carries particularly severe penalties. In over a dozen countries, apostates live in constant fear of the death penalty, while many others are threatened by incarceration and ostracization from their families.
This harsh reality often forces Ex-Muslims to remain in hiding, concealed not only from the world but from themselves. Even within Western nations, where freedom of expression is protected, a substantial number of Ex-Muslims continue to live in concealment Closeted Ex-Muslims, living under the constant shadow of secrecy, face a unique set of challenges. They must continuously wear a mask, pretending to adhere to beliefs they no longer hold. This dual existence exacts a toll, leading to heightened anxiety, depression from religious trauma.