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The Blasphemer: The Price I Paid for Rejecting Islam
The infuriating tale of a young Palestinian punished for exercising his freedom of speech.
Like many of his generation, Waleed Al-Husseini began a blog in his twenties. However, unlike many, Waleed also had the misfortune of having been a blogger in Palestine; worse yet, he often criticized Islam and its adherents—and declared himself an apostate—in his writings. The Palestinian Authority did not take well to this and eventually put Waleed in jail without a trial or even a wisp of legal justification. As if this was not bad enough, they placed Waleed in solitary confinement. This state of affairs continued for 11 months. Over the course of this time, Waleed was tortured and suffered innumerable indignities and deprivations simply for having the audacity to speak his mind. Eventually his unjust imprisonment began to draw international attention from foreign governments and human rights organizations, which pressured the Palestinian Authority and finally forced it to provide him a trial and parole. After being paroled, Waleed fled Palestine, first to Jordan and then to France, where he has become an outspoken advocate for freedom of speech and a critic of the state of contemporary Islam. The Blasphemer is a sobering, impassioned recounting of this Kafkaesque experience as well as a searing polemic against the corruption and hypocrisy that define contemporary Palestine.
Like many of his generation, Waleed Al-Husseini began a blog in his twenties. However, unlike many, Waleed also had the misfortune of having been a blogger in Palestine; worse yet, he often criticized Islam and its adherents—and declared himself an apostate—in his writings. The Palestinian Authority did not take well to this and eventually put Waleed in jail without a trial or even a wisp of legal justification. As if this was not bad enough, they placed Waleed in solitary confinement. This state of affairs continued for 11 months. Over the course of this time, Waleed was tortured and suffered innumerable indignities and deprivations simply for having the audacity to speak his mind. Eventually his unjust imprisonment began to draw international attention from foreign governments and human rights organizations, which pressured the Palestinian Authority and finally forced it to provide him a trial and parole. After being paroled, Waleed fled Palestine, first to Jordan and then to France, where he has become an outspoken advocate for freedom of speech and a critic of the state of contemporary Islam. The Blasphemer is a sobering, impassioned recounting of this Kafkaesque experience as well as a searing polemic against the corruption and hypocrisy that define contemporary Palestine.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 22, 2023
Although The Blasphemer is Walseed al-Husseini's story and it takes place in the post-1948 Palestine, it is really an indictment of all theocracies. It implicitly reinforces the principle that people cannot have freedom of thought and speech, if they don't have freedom of religion; and people cannot truly have freedom of religion, if they don't also have freedom from religion. Al-Husseini states he is "determined to pursue [his] fight against obscurantism, dictatorships, and despotism."
Al-Husseini helped form The Council of Ex-Muslims of France (CEMF). Their charter lists ten basic principles. The third states people must have "freedom of religion and the freedom to be areligious and atheist."
Al-Husseini helped form The Council of Ex-Muslims of France (CEMF). Their charter lists ten basic principles. The third states people must have "freedom of religion and the freedom to be areligious and atheist."
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August 26, 2018unfortunately it was waste of my time
January 22, 2015
Un livre à lire de toute urgence, une opinion décalée provenant d'un ex musulman sur l'islam mais aussi sur le manque de démocratie de l'autorité palestinienne. A l'heure où certains demandent un état palestinien, on peut se demander si on veut que des religieux le dirigent .
November 16, 2017
A clear well structured and interesting biography of a young man.
I found some analysis a bit simplistic and lacking in maturity and would have appreciated more in depth reflection. Nevertheless, an very interesting book.
Wishing the author Waleed Al-Husseini all the best in his new life in France.
I found some analysis a bit simplistic and lacking in maturity and would have appreciated more in depth reflection. Nevertheless, an very interesting book.
Wishing the author Waleed Al-Husseini all the best in his new life in France.
January 28, 2016
Un giovanissimo studente sviluppa dei dubbi di natura religiosa che si risolvono, dopo intense riflessioni, in un consapevole ateismo: molto pericoloso in una terra come la Cisgiordania dove Waleed, a 21 anni, viene arrestato in seguito alla diffusione via internet di materiale satirico su Allah e il suo profeta. Waleed, con dissacrante comicità, si sfoga online gridando la sua perdita di rispetto per la religione islamica e per i suoi fondamenti. Viene dunque arrestato nel 2011 e trascorre dieci duri mesi in prigione. Il suo diventa un caso che attrae l'attenzione di perscutori nazionali e di attivisti internazionali.
Scontata la pena e in attesa di un processo che avrà un esito sconfortante (e a cui si sottrarrà con un asilo politico), la vita di Waleed stenta a ripartire: la modesta comunità in cui è cresciuto lo disprezza e lo assilla perché è un empio, un blasfemo, è inaccettabile. L'Autorità Palestinese lo perseguita con pretesti oltre ogni limite di credibilità, tentando di riportarlo in prigione. La vita ha preso una brutta piega e Waleed, giovane e coraggioso, chiede e ottiene asilo politico in Francia dove andrà a vivere nel 2012, esattamente a Parigi, e dove nel 2013 fonderà insieme ad altri attivisti di origine islamica il Consiglio degli ex musulmani di Francia. Da Parigi promuove i valori della laicità e dell'uguaglianza tra gli esseri umani, si oppone con ostinazione a tutti i sistemi religiosi, culturali, ideologici fondati su qualsiasi forma di violenza e oppressione, fisica e psicologica, e affronta continuamente le minacce gravi e gli insulti di musulmani radiclamente offesi, tanto in Francia quanto all'estero.
Un giovane di lodevoli coraggio, prontezza di spirito e intraprendenza. Il tema dell'ateismo nel mondo islamico è estremamente sottovalutato anche a causa delle statistiche ufficiali, poiché in molti paesi musulmani l'ateismo è punibile legalmente in misura più o meno grave a seconda della rigidità del governo e della società.
Waleed non si risparmia e non ne perdona una alla sua religione di origine. Esprime invece una grande stima per la democrazia europea e apprezza in particolare la società francese, libera e intellettualmente ricca, così come l'ha conosciuta e vissuta a Parigi.
Non c'è che dire, una ricca testimonianza stimolante e ispiratrice. Non posso però prescindere dalla gradevolezza della lettura e del cosiddetto stile. Ho avuto continuamente la sensazione di una retorica pulita e formale, in un certo senso, classica in un oratore poco esperto quando racconta un punto di vista o un'esperienza personale ad una conferenza. Mi è sembrato di leggere la versione ufficiale di parole raccolte e riviste fino a sembrare giuste per un evento di interesse divulgativo. Mi riferisco soprattuto ai numerosi dialoghi, quasi sempre irrealistici nella resa. Questo libro è innanzitutto di interesse divulgativo, ovviamente, ma mi è mancato, e mi scuso per la superficialità, la linea distintiva che rende la confessione di un uomo anche un pezzo di buona letteratura.
Invito in ogni caso all'informazione sul tema e posso raccomandare questo libro a chiunque sia interessato alla testimonianza convincente e forte di Waleed.
Scontata la pena e in attesa di un processo che avrà un esito sconfortante (e a cui si sottrarrà con un asilo politico), la vita di Waleed stenta a ripartire: la modesta comunità in cui è cresciuto lo disprezza e lo assilla perché è un empio, un blasfemo, è inaccettabile. L'Autorità Palestinese lo perseguita con pretesti oltre ogni limite di credibilità, tentando di riportarlo in prigione. La vita ha preso una brutta piega e Waleed, giovane e coraggioso, chiede e ottiene asilo politico in Francia dove andrà a vivere nel 2012, esattamente a Parigi, e dove nel 2013 fonderà insieme ad altri attivisti di origine islamica il Consiglio degli ex musulmani di Francia. Da Parigi promuove i valori della laicità e dell'uguaglianza tra gli esseri umani, si oppone con ostinazione a tutti i sistemi religiosi, culturali, ideologici fondati su qualsiasi forma di violenza e oppressione, fisica e psicologica, e affronta continuamente le minacce gravi e gli insulti di musulmani radiclamente offesi, tanto in Francia quanto all'estero.
Un giovane di lodevoli coraggio, prontezza di spirito e intraprendenza. Il tema dell'ateismo nel mondo islamico è estremamente sottovalutato anche a causa delle statistiche ufficiali, poiché in molti paesi musulmani l'ateismo è punibile legalmente in misura più o meno grave a seconda della rigidità del governo e della società.
Waleed non si risparmia e non ne perdona una alla sua religione di origine. Esprime invece una grande stima per la democrazia europea e apprezza in particolare la società francese, libera e intellettualmente ricca, così come l'ha conosciuta e vissuta a Parigi.
Non c'è che dire, una ricca testimonianza stimolante e ispiratrice. Non posso però prescindere dalla gradevolezza della lettura e del cosiddetto stile. Ho avuto continuamente la sensazione di una retorica pulita e formale, in un certo senso, classica in un oratore poco esperto quando racconta un punto di vista o un'esperienza personale ad una conferenza. Mi è sembrato di leggere la versione ufficiale di parole raccolte e riviste fino a sembrare giuste per un evento di interesse divulgativo. Mi riferisco soprattuto ai numerosi dialoghi, quasi sempre irrealistici nella resa. Questo libro è innanzitutto di interesse divulgativo, ovviamente, ma mi è mancato, e mi scuso per la superficialità, la linea distintiva che rende la confessione di un uomo anche un pezzo di buona letteratura.
Invito in ogni caso all'informazione sul tema e posso raccomandare questo libro a chiunque sia interessato alla testimonianza convincente e forte di Waleed.
February 24, 2015
Un témoignage courageux qui vient couronner plusieurs années de lutte pour la liberté.
Chapeau bas pour ce jeune homme qui a défié la dictature politique et religieuse.
Chapeau bas pour ce jeune homme qui a défié la dictature politique et religieuse.
February 22, 2015
Written with a lot of passion for religious freedom. The personal story makes this book a page-turner, even for people with a moderate knowledge of French. It deserves further translations.
January 22, 2023
A powerful and courageous work. The hardships the author went through just for expressing his views on the religion that is controlling every aspect of his life is horrifying. Religious fundamentalism will push society into darkness. Humans should have the courage to think, question the existing norms and break down the walls suffocating him. Secularists and activists must unite to destroy the regimes undermining human rights and trampling individual freedom. The freedom to think and express one's views without any fear is non-negotiable. Only then will society move ahead. Secularism is a necessity across the globe.
This book describes the events and ideas that led him to atheism perfectly. The months he suffered in prison due to the ideas he shared in blogs and other social media accounts are explained well in his book. His relationship with his family, particularly his mother, who was his confidante, is heart-touching. She couldn't stop loving her son even when she knew her son is an atheist. Maternal love overpowered religious fascism. The way his friends and extended family distanced themselves from him due to his atheism is truly heart breaking. How religion turns otherwise good humans into monsters is indeed horrifying to read. The book also highlights the fact that anti-religious attitude in Muslim societies are not as uncommon as most people think. A great number of people, particularly youngsters are learning about the hollowness about religions. But at the same time, a significant portion of youngsters are getting radicalised by religious fundamentalists. Secularism is a necessity across the globe.
This book describes the events and ideas that led him to atheism perfectly. The months he suffered in prison due to the ideas he shared in blogs and other social media accounts are explained well in his book. His relationship with his family, particularly his mother, who was his confidante, is heart-touching. She couldn't stop loving her son even when she knew her son is an atheist. Maternal love overpowered religious fascism. The way his friends and extended family distanced themselves from him due to his atheism is truly heart breaking. How religion turns otherwise good humans into monsters is indeed horrifying to read. The book also highlights the fact that anti-religious attitude in Muslim societies are not as uncommon as most people think. A great number of people, particularly youngsters are learning about the hollowness about religions. But at the same time, a significant portion of youngsters are getting radicalised by religious fundamentalists. Secularism is a necessity across the globe.
November 27, 2024
Its personal memoir and his story is so tragic. A boy who learn deeper about islam, discussion with Imams in his neighborhood in Palestine, but end became atheist. Palestine government arrest and torture him. After government release him, Waleed ran away to Paris and live there until now (2024). My note about his story just three points: 1) he need circle of muslim thinkers. Unfortunately, he didn't find it and became atheist. 2) I argue that Palestine government's response to him is so overwhelmed me and scary. They arrested and torture him? Okay thats horror. 3) Many of his points about Islam is weird and misunderstood. Back to point one, he need circle of muslim thinkers.
September 22, 2016
Je suis la page Facebook de Waleed Al-Husseini depuis un moment déjà, il était donc temps que je lise son livre.
Il y aurait un tas de choses à dire sur le sujet, mais comme nous sommes sur un blog de lecture, et non sur un blog politico-socio-machin, je me contenterai de parler du contenu et du propos de l’auteur. Ce dernier est un jeune Palestinien exilé, réfugié politique en France depuis qu’il a déclaré son athéisme....
[Vous pouvez lire la suite sur mon blog, merci :)]
Il y aurait un tas de choses à dire sur le sujet, mais comme nous sommes sur un blog de lecture, et non sur un blog politico-socio-machin, je me contenterai de parler du contenu et du propos de l’auteur. Ce dernier est un jeune Palestinien exilé, réfugié politique en France depuis qu’il a déclaré son athéisme....
[Vous pouvez lire la suite sur mon blog, merci :)]
April 26, 2019
This story needed to be told.
I respect Al-Husseini for being so open about his struggles with religious persecution.
I think the book was a bit slow at times, but I didn't mind really. The writing was good.
But man, I felt for him! It really sucks what he went through.
I respect Al-Husseini for being so open about his struggles with religious persecution.
I think the book was a bit slow at times, but I didn't mind really. The writing was good.
But man, I felt for him! It really sucks what he went through.
Currently reading
January 16, 2015Ok, I bought the French edition without realising that the original was written in Arabic; for some reason I assumed that he's Algerian or Moroccan. In fact he was born in Jordan. All I will say so far is that I'm getting on fine with the comprehension, considering I did French A level in 1969!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews