Leaving Islam: A Psychological Perspective on the Journey from Control to Freedom

Activity: Public engagement and outreach › Media Article or Participation

Description

I wrote an article for the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB), exploring the psychological journey of leaving Islam, particularly in the context of coercive control, mandated shunning, and religious trauma.

The article examines the emotional and psychological toll on individuals who leave high-control religious environments, addressing key themes such as:

The fear, guilt, and identity struggles that can arise when questioning or leaving the faith.
The role of shunning and social ostracism as tools of control.
The mental health impact, including anxiety, depression, and trauma responses.
Strategies for healing, rebuilding identity, and reclaiming autonomy after leaving.
By integrating academic research, lived experiences, and psychological insights, the article aims to shed light on the challenges faced by ex-Muslims and contribute to broader conversations on freedom of belief, human rights, and post-religious identity reconstruction.
Period3 Dec 2024
Degree of RecognitionInternational

Keywords

  • Religious Trauma Coercive Control Mandated Shunning Faith Deconstruction Post-Religious Identity Psychological Impact of Leaving Religion Ex-Muslim Experience Social Ostracism Religious Indoctrination Freedom of Belief Mental Health and Apostasy Survivor Resilience Community Exclusion Deconversion Psychology Healing after Religious Exit

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