The Arabic-language hashtag ‘proud I left Islam’ trended on Twitter Sunday, where ex-Muslim tweeters proclaimed proudly that they left the Islamic faith. Naturally, the conversation took a wild turn when some practicing Muslims confronted the hashtag, even tweeting death threats in extreme cases.
First, ex-Muslim tweeters began tweeting with the hashtag in both English and Arabic:
#فخور_اني_تركت_الاسلام yes I'm very proud. It wasn't easy to admit that I was wrong for 20 years. In fact I regret not leaving it earlier
— Faris (@Faris_dream) July 17, 2016
Things got ugly when some Muslims then began tweeting death threats against the ex-Muslims:
#فخور_اني_تركت_الاسلام مرتد وسوف يقام عليك حد الرده ي كافر
— meshal (@AaJnkj) July 17, 2016
Hey infidel, you will receive death for apostasy.
Even some non-Muslims jumped in, asking why certain Muslims were calling for death of ex-Muslims when Islam is supposed to be a religion of peace:
How come its a religion of peace when muslims in this hashtag are threatening Ex-muslims with hell? #فخور_اني_تركت_الاسلام
— Bandar (@fxckxoffx) July 17, 2016
However, not all of the criticisms were this ugly. Many Muslims simply stated their opposition to the hashtag, and declared themselves proud believers:
#فخور_اني_تركت_الاسلام
— سحر° (@sahoorh1) July 17, 2016
Im proud of bring a Muslim This is the greatest thing in my life, being a real Muslim is like having a paradise life
An interesting day for Twitter indeed.
Adam Lucente
