I write a lot here about the troubles the nonreligious have in American and Canada mostly, but sometimes it’s important to remember that compared to many places we have it easy. We can expect reasonable protection under the law, and that our lives will not be in imminent danger simply for our lack of religion or religious beliefs. Others, especially in Muslim majority countries, are not so lucky.
I recently received an email from an atheist writer in Sudan who claims to be in fear of imminent death for being open about his atheism. He told me that his situation was so dire that to save his life he was looking to get out of the country as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help in that respect. I haven’t heard from him since, but I hope everything worked out well. He did give me permission to publish the email he sent me to get the word out about the dangers to atheists in Sudan. Due to language issues, it was not clear whether he wanted me to remove identifying details or not (he has been writing on atheism publicly), but to be safe I have edited out specific identifying information.
Dear Sir/Madam
I’m 31 years old Sudanese civil engineer, live in [removed] – Sudan.
My problem start years ago, but now it reached dangerous point, because my life is truly in danger.
I’m atheist, and I have nothing to hide, my family and my closed friends knowing that for years and accept it hardly as a fact. Since 2003 – my last year in collage – I start to write a wall newspaper in university a bout atheism and Islam, the news paper name is “[removed]” in Arabic.
Three years ago I start to write articles in several web sites, like [removed], [removed].
My articles almost are about atheism, Islam, Liberalism, the civil state and all of them in Arabic.
After I start writing in [removed] using my real name on 2007. Threats start by any communication tool you know, email, phone calls, sms and directly face to face.
For the first time I did not take those threats seriously, but now I have to.
On Dec. 2008 someone call me and tell me that I have to stop writing on [removed] or thy have to kill me because God is ordering them to kill any one left Islam. After that I wrote article about Hajj the most Muslim holy activity. The same person call me again and tell me this is my last chance, and give me accurate information about me and my family to impress me. I go to police and gave them the number of the phone, after two days I go back to the police station to know who is trying to terrorize me and thy tell me that my case is refused by the higher officer because it is nonsense, can you believe? Killing threat and nonsense?
On Jan 2009 I fired from my job because some on call the manager and tell him that I’m atheist and I did not pray. The manager ask me to pray with him one day in strange way, I refused then after two days fired me and tell me he is sorry but he have to fired me.
On 8 Mar 2009 the women day, after I comment in seminar talking about women rights and my opinion is the Islam constitution lies to women and the truth is women have no rights in Islam, I give my girl friend a ride to her home far from [removed], when I go back I followed by two cars, thy tried to stop me in empty place near [removed]. But I scabbed by miracle.
I live in terror, and I can’t continue my live here in Sudan, unless I hide my believes and live a life of someone else not me, witch it is not one of my choices even if it leading me to lost my life.
I need help to immigrate to any country in Europe or America or Australia. I wont only to be safe.
Thanks for reading my email
Best Regards
[removed]
[removed]
