'The left is accusing us of lying and the right is exploiting that' - Sadia Hameed

De Balie looks back at the best moment of Celebrating dissent 2019. This year we will continue Celebrating dissent with het Vrijdenkersfestival on 29 till 30 of October. Go for more information to: debalie.nl/art...
People of colour are often silenced when they are being critical of religion. They are blamed for playing into the hands of the alt-right or labeled as Islamophobic. Often it is forgotten that they themselves, and their friends and families, are constantly subjected to racism and discrimination from these very groups.
They are fighting on multiple fronts. On the one hand they are confronted by the religious patriarchy, on the other they are refusing to be claimed by racist extremists. At the same time they have to explain to progressives that they stand for universal rights and not just Western ones. To sum it all up: how do you make sure your voice is neither silenced nor abused?
Maryam Namazie is a writer and activist. She is the Spokesperson for Fitnah - Movement for Women’s Liberation, One Law for All and The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. The Islamic regime of Iran’s media outlets has called Namazie ‘immoral and corrupt’, but this did not stop her from getting multiple awards because of her activism.
Muhammed Syed is a human rights activist, writer, speaker and community organizer. He is the founder and president of Ex-Muslims of North-America, the first Ex-Muslim advocacy and community building organization in North America. Muhammad has been a human rights activist for the past decade, with a focus on efforts to normalize religious dissent and promote acceptance of secularism in Muslim communities.
Sadia Hameed is spokesperson of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. She is also a human rights activist and honour based violence, forced marriage and FGM Consultant, based in Gloucestershire, working in the sexual violence field, with a focus on Black Minority Ethnic women.

[@protalk1]

I like sadia, hopefully I'll see more discussions between her and spartacus, ex muslim Sahil or Adams seeker.

[@conorspence5332]

When someone says they used to be left-wing you know they're about to throw out a right-wing talking point. To say that Labour were in bed with Iran is a Britain First trope.

[@neptunemeditation]

Sadia is really hot

[@hydeparkist]

awkward

[@thewatchtower8330]

Waarom? Ze hebben 100% gelijk.

[@thewatchtower8330]

@@deeznutz8320 Vrijheid van meningsuiting. Didn't you get the memo?