Abdul Aziz Mohamed El Baz—known popularly as “Ben Baz Aziz”—is an Egyptian atheist who, until 2014, had been living in Kuwait. In 2013, he was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment with forced labor and fined. Upon the completion of his sentence, he was deported to Egypt. 

“[I]t seemed that democracy and freedom of speech in the entire Middle East was being violated by each country’s government. I thought Kuwait was a safer place, more democratic.” - Ben Baz Aziz

A prolific blogger and activist, Ben Baz wrote in support of secularism, atheism, and minority (including LGBT) rights. This began in 2006, when he was still living in Egypt; when he returned to Kuwait, where he was born, in 2009, he stopped actively concealing his identity, believing Kuwait a freer society. As time went on, his blog became more popular, and he became well-known within atheist circles.

Unfortunately, this did not last. In February 2013, his employer discovered his writings online and filed a report accusing him of blasphemy to Kuwaiti authorities. With the government’s attention now drawn to his writings, he stood trial, ultimately convicted on charges of “contempt of religions and attempting to spread atheism.” He then carried out his sentence before being sent back to Egypt.

“The officer handling the case delayed my papers because he considered me a blasphemer. Luckily, a friend of mine came in to complain and was able to get the process going after being delayed for an entire month!” - Ben Baz Aziz on his deportation

In an interview he gave shortly after his return to Egypt, he was asked what his life was like now. He summarized: “daily suffering, pain, and fear.”