What is it about?
Why do most former Muslims, despite desiring change, stay silent? This ethnographic study dives into nonreligion in Morocco and the diaspora, exploring reasons for disengagement and activism fatigue. Applying an intersectional and longitudinal lens, this article shows that the motivation to not engage in the debate can change over time and from person to person. Reasons for not taking part in activism can be manifold: from professional, and social risks to being scared of feeding negative stereotypes about Muslims.
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Why is it important?
When reading the news and following public debates around Islam, a rather one-sided image of former Muslims emerges: from Qur’an burnings to TV debates to YouTube channels, “ex-Muslims” appear as vocal and outspoken participants. However, in Richter's research on nonreligious everyday activism in Morocco and the Moroccan diaspora, a mixed picture emerges. While activist voices should not be dismissed, most former Muslims prefer to refrain from the polarised debates surrounding Islam.
Perspectives
I hope that the insights in this article are not only relevant to the study of former Muslims but also to other groups who may experience activism fatigue.
Lena Richter
University of Antwerp
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Activism Fatigue among Former Muslims, Journal of Muslims in Europe, January 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/22117954-bja10118.
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