Since 22 year old Imad Iddine Habib founded the Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco (the first public atheist organisation in a country with Islam as the state religion), he has received numerous threats.
In response to the establishment of the Ex-Muslim Council, Morocco’s High Council of Ulemas (the highest government religious institution headed by the King) issued a fatwa decreeing the death penalty for Moroccans who leave Islam. Currently, under Morocco’s penal code, those who “impede or prevent worship” face imprisonment and fines.
The threats continue to escalate. Recently, Imad’s father has been interrogated by the secret service. He was told to tell Imad to stop his activities and that this would be the “last warning before they react”. Imad’s registered address has also been raided by security forces.
We, the undersigned, are extremely concerned about Imad’s safety and life and call on the Moroccan government to guarantee his security and respect freedom of expression and thought. Rather than prosecute freethinkers, the government should prosecute those who issue fatwas and death threats.
On 15 May we call for an International Imad Day in order to stand with and defend Imad.
He is all of us.
Here is more information on him
http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/05/01/you-better-not-touch-him/
http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/04/23/leaving-islam-is-not-a-crime/
