Atheism: A Phenomenon in the Islamic Arab World

Disclaimer: Communio Messianica exclusively represents former Muslims who now follow Christ, known as Muslim Background Believers (MBBs). In this insightful article by Harun Ibrahim, Chairman of the International Council of Communio Messianica, we explore another group that has distanced themselves from Islam: atheists. Despite their differing perspectives from MBBs, both groups share striking similarities in their experiences.

The Rise of Atheism in the Arab Region

In recent years, atheism has sparked intense debate in the Arab region, particularly on social media platforms that have facilitated greater freedom of speech. Historically, discussions surrounding atheism were considered taboo, making it difficult to accurately assess the number of atheists worldwide. However, some religious organizations have attempted to estimate these figures.

According to a statement from the Egyptian Al Fatwa Institute in January 2014, there are approximately 900 atheists in Egypt. Some estimates suggest there could be thousands, with others claiming numbers as high as two million. Additionally, a study reported by Saudi media in the same year indicated that 5% of Saudis—around one million individuals—identify as atheists. This trend reflects a growing number of studies showing an increase in self-identified atheists across Islamic nations.

Atheist Platforms in Arab Media

Arab atheists are leveraging platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs to communicate with one another. These platforms allow users to maintain anonymity when searching for the term ‘atheist’ in Arabic. Numerous pages on Facebook and Twitter are dedicated to atheists from the Arab world, gathering substantial followings.

Some notable groups include:

Tunisian Atheists (30,000 followers)
Sudanese Atheists (two pages with 7,000 followers)
Syrian Atheists (15,000 followers)
Egyptian Atheists (more than 10 sites with over 1 million followers)
Saudi Atheists (multiple pages with over 1 million followers)

Al Muslim Electronic Newspaper reports that Saudi and Egyptian atheists are the most active, with Saudi atheists outnumbering others by approximately one million. On Twitter, the followers of declared atheists number in the hundreds of thousands, with discussions often centering around the desire to dismantle ‘The Myth of Religion Using The Mind.’ Some engage in anti-Islamic rhetoric, sharing images and comments that challenge Islamic teachings.

On YouTube, several Arab atheists have created channels that attract thousands of subscribers, often publishing content that critiques Islam under titles like ‘Myths of the Islamic Religion.’ A notable initiative is the Internet TV channel ‘Free Mind,’ which aims to deliver news free from the prevailing religious and governmental censorship in the Middle East.

Reasons for Abandoning Islam

Several factors have contributed to Arabs abandoning Islam. Key reasons include:

The violence perpetrated by radical Islamic groups has led many to question the principles of Islam.
The life and prophetic biography of Muhammad are viewed as self-serving, using God to justify personal benefits.
Many perceive the Islamic train of thought as illogical, with scholars claiming scientifically provable miracles in the Qur’an that are not substantiated.
Exposure to critical perspectives from Christian media has revealed the darker aspects of Islam.

The Egyptian Dar-al-Ifta has identified the violent actions of terrorists and militant groups as the primary motivator for individuals choosing atheism. The brutal actions attributed to groups like ISIS misrepresent Islamic teachings and repel many young Muslims, prompting them to explore atheism.

Persecutions and Enmity

Those who criticize Islam or advocate for atheism face significant risks, analogous to the persecution experienced by Muslims who convert to Christianity. Reports indicate that a twenty-year-old Saudi was sentenced to death for a video in which he tore a copy of the Qur’an. Raif Badawi, the founder of the now-defunct website Free Saudi Liberals, was arrested in 2012 for ‘insulting Islam through electronic channels’ and has faced severe penalties including imprisonment and corporal punishment.

In 2014, an Egyptian student was sentenced to three years in prison for making comments perceived as disrespectful to religion on Facebook. Human Rights Watch characterized this imprisonment as part of a broader governmental campaign against atheism.

In January of 2015, Ahmed Hargan, who publicly identified as an atheist, sought police protection after facing abuse due to his beliefs. Such stories are common among converts in various Arab nations.

In June of 2015, the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and the Al Azhar Foundation launched an initiative aimed at countering extremism and atheism, framing atheism as a national security concern. Sheikh Ahmed Turki stated that if individuals rebel against their faith, they may rebel against societal norms as well.

Reflections and Questions for Christians

As we reflect on the information presented, it is crucial to consider the role of the Christian community in addressing these issues. Questions arise:

Do we have organizations that can effectively engage in this area, particularly on social media?
Does our current content resonate with the core questions people are asking, or do we merely preach to ourselves?
Can we propose effective and practical solutions that inspire change?

Many converts from Islam to Christianity have walked a similar path, often experiencing doubts before encountering Christ the Savior and undergoing transformative changes in their lives. Secular individuals often declare, “I am not an atheist; I am non-religious.” They express a sense of connection with converts, suggesting a shared search for understanding the nature of God.

While these conversations are encouraging, they raise urgent questions about how the church can better reach out to both atheists and those who have left Islam. How can we embody the love of Christ in a way that resonates with those who are skeptical or searching?

Harun Ibrahim

*Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta is a governmental, non-profit organization that offers Muslims advice and guidance by issuing Fatwas (legal edicts clarifying Islamic law).