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Secular Rescue is a program of the Center for Inquiry designed to provide emergency assistance to writers, bloggers, publishers, and activists who face threats due to their beliefs or expressions regarding religion.

Generous public support has allowed the Center for Inquiry to assist more than three dozen individuals and their families in escaping to safety, either temporarily or permanently.

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Books such as The Greatest Show on Earth, The Magic of Reality, The Blind Watchmaker, and The God Delusion have been translated by experts into several languages including (but not limited to) Arabic, Urdu, and Farsi, all available free of charge.

Blasphemy Around the World

Bangladesh

Though in theory a secular democracy, the ruling government have frequently given into pressure from Islamist parties, and continue to prosecute atheists and others on malicious charges for “insult to religion” and related crimes.
Section 295A of the penal code states that any person who has “deliberate” or malicious” intent to “hurt religious sentiments” can be imprisoned and this has been used in practice to prosecute and imprison atheist and secularist activists.
Communal violence and political dysfunction remain significant problems in Bangladesh. In 2013, several atheist and freethought bloggers were the victims of physical assaults, as well as government prosecutions for blasphemy crimes in all but name, with one critic of Islam murdered by machete.

Saudi Arabia

There is no freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia. “Blasphemy” and “insult” to religion can be punished with prison, lashing, or treated as evidence of apostasy, which is punishable by death. Critics of state and religious authorities are harshly suppressed and severely punished.
According to Article 1 of the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia (its equivalent to a constitution), “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Arab Islamic state with Islam as its religion; God’s Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet (God’s prayers and peace be upon him) are its constitution.”
Article 1 of the law defines terrorism as: “Calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion on which this country is based.”

Pakistan

Amid wider sectarian and interreligious tension, Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws are a serious threat to peace and social stability. “Blasphemy” is punishable by death under law, and accusations often followed by mob brutality with fatal consequences.
Chapter XV of Pakistan’s Penal Code outlaws “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs”, defaming of the Quran, insulting remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, and saying anything that had the deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.
Dozens of people at remain on death row in Pakistan for blasphemy, and those accused of blasphemy are often murdered before or after any trial takes place.

Egypt

After the 2011 “Arab Spring” protests and overthrow of the Morsi government, under the supposedly secular Sisi presidency there has been agitation against young atheists as a “threat to society”, continued marginalisation of religious minorities, and the enthusiastic enforcement of “blasphemy” laws.
The Constitution as of January 2014 is an amended version of the 2012 Constitution signed in to law by the Morsi administration. It places Islam at its core whilst only recognising other “Abrahamic” religions as legitimate forms of worship. The Egyptian Criminal Code explicitly outlaws blasphemy.

Morocco

The King is considered as a direct descendant of the prophet of Islam, which gives the ruling Alaouite dynasty its legitimacy. The constitution (Article 41) designates the King as Commander of the Faithful, he is mandated to ensure the respect of Islam.
Criticism of religion, and religious or state authorities, remains a crime that can be and frequently is prosecuted resulting in penal sentences. Many foreign missionaries are declared as a danger and expelled from the country.

Updates

Hassan’s Dangerous Road

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Leaving Oppression: A Secular Rescue Story

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The “Reluctant Activist”: Being Outed as an Atheist in a Muslim-Majority Country

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From Sudan to Kenya: A Secular Rescue Success Story

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Defying Fear: Secular Rescue Story

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Durba’s Escape: Secular Rescue Story

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We're Here to Help

Resources

Education, Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, and Work-study Programs

Asylum and Immigration

Visas, Passports, Legal Assistance, Travel Guides

Blasphemy Around the World

Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia

Pakistan

Egypt

Morocco

Updates

Hassan’s Dangerous Road

Leaving Oppression: A Secular Rescue Story

The “Reluctant Activist”: Being Outed as an Atheist in a Muslim-Majority Country

From Sudan to Kenya: A Secular Rescue Success Story

Defying Fear: Secular Rescue Story

Durba’s Escape: Secular Rescue Story

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