Kareem Amer, an ex-Muslim, was expelled from Al-Azhar University after he published anti-religious material and criticized faculty. He spent four years in prison, was tortured, and fled to Europe upon release following death threats.
getting expelled from al-Azhar while studying Islamic law at the institution for his pronouncements against religion
In 2006 and 2007, Abdelkareem Nabil Suleiman—known better by his pseudonym, Kareem Amer—became “the first Egyptian blogger to be prosecuted for the content of his writings.” A student of al-Azhar University, he had written in criticism of his school, calling it a “university of terrorism” that stood against freedom of speech and belief. Having attended the school because his fundamentalist parents wanted him to, his staunchly irreligious and secular beliefs proved incompatible with its teachings, and he was expelled from the university in March 2006—something he called a “certificate of liberty.” However, this was not the end of his ordeal.
"I decry any law, legislation, or regime that does not respect human rights and individual liberty, does not recognize an individual's complete freedom to do anything and everything so long as he causes no physical harm those around him, and does not recognize an individual's complete freedom to express his opinions, whatever they may be, so long as those opinions remain words and entail no physical act that harms others." - Kareem Amer
Kareem’s writing against religion in politics, religious thought in general, human rights violations, and Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak incensed al-Azhar authorities beyond simple expulsion. The university filed a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office. Soon enough, he was facing trial for “attacks on Islam and spreading false ideas among students.”
As human rights organizations lobbied for his acquittal and release, Kareem’s own father dismissed them, maintaining that his son was merely “imitat[ing] Western atheists” and should be given three days to repent or be killed in accordance with Islamic law. In 2007, Kareem was ultimately sentenced to four years in prison: three for blasphemy against Islam and incitement to sedition, and one for insulting the president.
“Throughout the gloominess of the prison walls, there was also a lustrous ray of hope of those who were by my side; expressing solidarity with me and supporting me during my ordeal.” - Kareem Amer, expressing thanks to his supporters around the world following his release
The verdict sparked “a wave of protests around the world,” and several Western governments and organizations called for Kareem’s release. This included an award he received from Reporters without Borders. Nonetheless, he was not released until 2010, and after his release, he was subject to continued harassment and detention by Egyptian authorities, claiming on one of these occasions to have been tortured. Finally, after it became clear conditions in the country were too dangerous for him to remain, he escaped Egypt.
Having been granted asylum and later citizenship, Kareem lives in Norway today.
Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult' - BBC
Egypt blogger says jail won't stop future activism - Reuters
First Egyptian Blogger Imprisoned for Writings is Released - HuffPost
Kareem Amer - International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN)
Bergen welcomes Kareem Amer - ICORN
Kareem Amer - Kareem's personal blog
Free Kareem - Free Kareem campaign
Egypt has a general blasphemy law that prohibits disparaging “the heavenly religions.” While the law ostensibly targets no religion in particular, in practice it is usually used against religious minorities and those who blaspheme Islam. Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority has particularly borne a disproportionate weight of blasphemy prosecutions. In addition to the relatively aggressive efforts of Egyptian authorities to prosecute such cases, blasphemers and atheists must also contend with social pressure, coercion, and the risk of vigilante violence.