In an unprecedented move earlier this month, two Islamic German Immigrants announced the formation of The Central Committee for Ex-Muslims. Arzu Toker and Mitra Azinal have two things in common – both are immigrants to Germany and both want to distance themselves from being considered Muslims.
Otherwise, their stories are different. Toker immigrated to Germany from Istanbul almost 30 years ago, hoping to leave her past behind and assimilate into the German culture. Zainal immigrated to Germany from Iran a little over two years ago, hoping to escape the restraints of the Iranian Muslim leaders in her own country.
Both women quickly discovered that in spite of their wishes to leave their pasts behind them, the German government refused to see them as anything but two more of the 3.5 million Muslims living in Germany. Their wishes to assimilate into their new European culture and stop living under the laws and beliefs of male “Muslim Authorities” proved futile.
They grew tired of the assumption that the voice of the Muslim leadership in Germany became, by default, their voice. As non-practicing Muslims, they are not alone. The statistics are scarce, but it can be assumed that at the very least, 10% of immigrant Muslims fall into this category.
Frustrated, the two women formed an organization called The Central Committee For Ex-Muslims – a courageous move considering that rejecting Islam is a crime punishable by death.
The organization that started out as two women is growing exponentially and now has chapters all over Europe. Reaction from Western governments and Islamic leadership has been both vocal and varied. Fundamental Muslims are enraged, while more moderate followers of Islam are reluctantly accepting, at least in concept, the ideal of acknowledging their non-practicing brothers and sisters.
Western intellects and government bodies are debating over how to deal with and manage Islam immigrants – do they demand full assimilation of all new immigrants and ask them to completely reject their religion or do they take a stance that respects moderation and only condemns fundamentalism?
The addition of The Central Committee For Ex-Muslims only adds to this heated debate. As the controversy widens, Toker and Zainal can only feel proud that for the first time in history, a second voice has been considered as being a legitimate voice for immigrants from Islamic countries. This alone is an incredible accomplishment.
Says Zainal: “Now that I am in Germany, I don’t have to have religion, but the people who speak for me are what? They are Muslim authorities.”
It can be safely assumed that there many other Muslim immigrants around the world who feel the same frustration and disappointment at not being heard, but thanks to these two women, that is about to change.
