Hello, my name is Admiral Akbar. I am a British Bangladeshi, 16 year old male, live and from the north west of England.
I first came across this website last January, and by February I wanted to sign up. But I noticed that I had to be at least 16 years old and at that time I was 15. So I decided to wait until I'm older, I wanted to do this properly. I was still exploring and reading posts because I found them interesting.
Finally, today I turn 16, and wasted no time signing up.
Now with all that out of the way, I will like to explain how I ended leaving Islam.
I was born as a Muslim, but I think that I shouldn't be. During my early childhood, my mum was teaching surahs from the Quran. My dad took me to my first Jummah prayer. And soon, I was sent to an after school Mosque where they you start of learning the basics of Islamic teachings, being able to read Arabic and make your way to the Quran. I hated it because it took out 2 hours of my free time every Monday to Friday.
Despite all that, I was still a proud Muslim. I though Islam was the perfect religion, and Muhammed the best and Allah is the greatest.
As I grew older, Islam was creeping into my life more and more. Soon, other Muslims were telling me how to behave and how not to behave, what is good and bad.
And I didn't like that. I don't want to be told how to piss in the toilets, or who I can meet. I don't want to judge Jews or other non-Muslims. Again, even though I didn't like, I wanted to remain a Muslim.
After many years of learning how Islam is the best, Allah is the best, yada yada yada, I finally came across some criticisms of Islam. At first I didn't want to hear or read bout it. I was too scared. I knew I couldn't just ignore them. Soon I learnt about how Muhammed married young Aisha. It was the first time I didn't like learning about the bad bits of Islam and its history.
For some reason, I wanted to find out more about criticisms of Islam. I was shocked that wife beating is OK in Islam. I didn't like how women had less rights than men in Islam. I also don't understand why Islam has a problems with Jews and other non-Muslims.
I kept exploring more and more about criticisms of Islam, but it wasn't really enough to make me leave Islam. But one thing it did make me do, and that is it made me ask questions. I was on the path of leaving Islam.
I asked many questions to myself and looked for the answers. Soon I came across videos posted by CEMB that asked questions like, 'Why would God create someone, knowing that they are going to fail his test, and then torture them forever'.
I just couldn't answer that, and I could no longer ignore it. I've ignored many criticisms and questions many times before, but could do it no longer.
At that point, I thought that I should be true to myself and say that I am no longer a Muslim.
So here I am. I have to keep pretending that I am a Muslim, and it is frustrating. But on the bright side, my mind is now free.
I no longer have to believe in this religious bullshit. I can finally accept Homosexuals as equal, and no longer have to hate the Juice
. Also, I no longer feel guilty touching the Quran without doing wudu (yes, I used to do that as a Muslim). I don't have all the freedom, hopefully I will.
Topic: Another ex-Muslim joins the crew