https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co....ming-blackburn-muslims-leaving-islam-slammed/
Messages naming people who have supposedly 'left Islam' have been described as ‘dangerous and malicious’ by community leaders in Blackburn.
A series of texts have been forwarded on WhatsApp amongst Muslims in Blackburn which name a number of people, who are accused of being ‘apostates’ - someone who renounces their religious or political beliefs.
The unsubstantiated claims, against men and women, go on to claim there will be ‘further revelations’ and names shared.
A Blackburn with Darwen councillor and Muslim scholar, who has seen the messages, said it was 'extremely worrying' for anyone named, and people should be wary before forwarding such claims.
An apostate from Islam is known as a 'murtadd' and in some less progressive parts of the world can lead to death threats.
A person's right to take up - or renounce - a religion is enshrined in the United Nations' Universal Declaration on Human Rights in Articles 18 to 21, which set out freedom of thought, opinion, expression, religion and conscience as fundamental freedoms.
These rights are also enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, of which the UK is a member.
One of the messages being circulated reads: “The parents are unaware at the time of writing this message.
“They have stated on multiple occasions they reject Islam and the prophet and identify themselves as ex-Muslims and have been like this for [more than five] years.
"They believe in astrology; that the planets, moon and stars control the affairs of humans.
“The reason for this message is not because they have left Islam but because they have been caught actively trying to spread their false beliefs, shirk and astrology on weaker individuals.
"Delusional as it may sound but they are trying to start a new religion.”
Another message accuses a further 16 people of having renounced their faith, as is their basic human right.
