Read More Atheist Republic Radical Cleric’s Sharia Law Dream: £3M for Islamic Island
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/radical-clerics-sharia-law-dream-3m-islamic-island
Location: United Kingdom
Sheikh Yasser al-Habib, a 45-year-old controversial Shia scholar from Kuwait, has ignited a storm of controversy with his plans to purchase Torsa Island in Scotland for £3 million. Al-Habib, infamous for his provocative sermons and military-style training camps, envisions building a school, mosque, and hospital on the remote island to establish a “homeland” for Shia Muslims worldwide. In a fundraising video on his satellite channel, Fadak TV, he urged supporters to donate, saying, “If you want to live free under the banner of the imam, in a special homeland where you feel everything in it reminds you of the awaited Mahdi, everything is the Shia homeland support this project.” The Mahdi is a prophesied redeemer in Islam who will rule before the Day of Judgment and rid the world of evil. Sarah Zaaimi from the Atlantic Council warned that the community would function autonomously, managing its own schools, hospitals, and justice system. Despite fierce opposition and the current owner’s reluctance to sell, estate agent Savills confirmed that Torsa remains on the market. Al-Habib, who has been in the UK since 2004 after fleeing Kuwait, has repeatedly stirred sectarian tensions and faced government scrutiny for his incendiary broadcasts. His plans have reignited debates over religious freedom and community integration in the UK, underscoring ongoing tensions between secular and religious values.
California Imam Accuses LGBT of Infiltrating Palestine Rallies
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/california-imam-accuses-lgbt-infiltrating-palestine-rallies
Location: United States
In a controversial Friday sermon at the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley, California imam Ahmed Radwan sparked outrage by accusing LGBT individuals of infiltrating pro-Palestine rallies and likening their tactics to those of Israelis. Radwan urged Muslims to distance themselves from the LGBT community, describing them as “very sneaky people” and warning against standing “shoulder-to-shoulder” with them at protests. He claimed that LGBT supporters attend these rallies to gain Muslim support for their own causes, stating, “They come closer to us; they want to be seen among us. [They say] ‘We are supporting you, we stand with you against Israel, so stand with us also when we need your help.’ Do not be fooled by this tactic.” Radwan’s sermon, which also criticized corporate and governmental support for LGBT rights, has ignited debate about inclusivity and allyship within activist movements.
UK Islamic Charities Host Extremist Cleric Who Endorses Sex Slavery
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/uk-islamic-charities-host-extremist-cleric-who-endorses-sex-slavery
Location: United Kingdom
In a troubling development, four UK Islamic charities are under investigation for hosting Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, a Pakistani extremist preacher known for his inflammatory views. Zaheer’s controversial statements include claiming that Ahmadi Muslims “don’t have the right to live on Earth” and advocating for the sexual enslavement of female prisoners of war, stating that Islam “designed a solution” where they are “distributed to the soldiers in an organized manner” or “sold as slaves.” The National Secular Society reported these charities to the Charity Commission, questioning their tax-exempt status. Megan Manson of the NSS emphasized, “It’s galling to see tax breaks handed to mosques that host fundamentalists with divisive agendas when this clearly serves no public benefit.” Zaheer’s unapologetic stance is evident in his statement, “Let them consider me as an extremist or a terrorist.” This incident highlights the ongoing debate about religious charities in the UK and the potential misuse of charitable status to promote extremist ideologies, raising critical questions about the balance between religious freedom and public safety.
The Surprising Story of Europe’s Hijab-Only Beach
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/surprising-story-europe-s-hijab-only-beach
Location: Montenegro
The opening of Europe’s first hijab-only beach in Montenegro has ignited controversy, raising concerns about religious segregation under the guise of inclusivity. The management of Pearl Beach in Ulcinj announced this exclusive beach for women who wear hijabs and burkinis, with a tall privacy barrier. “All visitors should adhere to the rules and customs prevailing in this area,” the advertisement declares, emphasizing the imposition of Islamic modesty rules. This development follows rising violence and harassment against Muslim women at Montenegrin beach resorts, such as the incident where a Kuwaiti hijabi and her family were sprayed with alcohol from a hotel balcony, and a teenager in a burkini was barred from a pool by a man claiming, “he hates Muslims.” While proponents claim the hijab-only beach promotes inclusivity and protects Muslim women from discrimination, detractors see it as a step backward, fostering religious exclusivity rather than integration. The controversy reflects broader debates across Europe, where burkini bans in France, Germany, and Italy have sparked intense discussions about secularism and religious freedom. Despite Montenegro’s majority Orthodox Christian population, Ulcinj, with its 68% Muslim demographic, mirrors the tensions between secular and religious communities throughout the continent.
Why Uzbekistan’s Ban On Cousin-Marriage Matters
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/why-uzbekistan-s-ban-cousin-marriages-matters
Location: Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is set to ban cousin marriages in an effort to reduce birth defects, with official statistics showing that nearly 10% of babies born with disabilities in the country last year were from consanguineous unions. The proposed amendments to the Family Code aim to prevent marriages between first and second cousins. The issue has sparked debate among Uzbeks, with some defending the practice and others supporting the ban. Sabohatkhon Alimova, who married her first cousin, argues that such marriages offer “more trust and love among relatives,” while Sirojiddin Toghaev, who was born with disabilities, supports the ban, stating, “Don’t marry your relatives. Your children will suffer as a result, not you.” Uzbekistan’s move to ban cousin marriages is significant not only for its potential health impacts but also for its broader societal implications. This ban represents a clash between deeply rooted cultural traditions and modern public health concerns in a predominantly Muslim nation of 35 million people.