By Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa
On January 9, 2022, Ex-Muslims of Kerala (EMK), an organization that provides a supportive platform for those who left or wish to seek Islam in the Indian State of Kerala, decalred January 9th “Kerala Ex-Muslim Day,” after the organization’s leaders met in the state’s capital, Kochi.
#ExMuslimsDay #KeralaExMuslimsDay #ExMuslimsOfKerala pic.twitter.com/KmOmTCQnq0
— Ex-Muslims of Kerala (@KeralaExMuslims) January 9, 2022
The significance of January 9th to the Ex-Muslim community in the state is due to a debate between Islamic preacher M. M. Akbar and Malappuram-based rationalist E. A. Jabbar on Islam, according EMK’s presdient, Liyakkathali CM.
“The problems faced by the ExMuslims just for renouncing their religion is unmatched, when compared to other religions,” stated the group’s press release. “This is the reason why an organization for ExMuslims became indispensable to safeguard their human rights, dignity and to ensure the constitutional rights promised by the country. Apart from that, the organization has also envisioned moving the court against all atrocities committed in the name of religious traditions or practices that violate basic human rights.”
EMK is not the only ex-muslim organization to create such a holiday. On the other side of the globe, Ex-Muslims of North America and other major Ex-Muslim groups declared August 22nd ‘Apostasy Day.” August 22nd was chosen because it’s the UN Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
