ExMuslim Activist Speaks Out: Why She Remains Closeted After Leaving Islam
ExMuslim Activist Speaks Out: Why She Remains Closeted After Leaving Islam  
Podcast: Cults to Consciousness
Published On: Tue Jun 10 2025
Description: One of her first public appearances unmasked, South Asian ExMuslim, Haram Doodles, recounts what it was like growing up with a life of restriction and fear from her parents, her culture, and God.  She reveals the details of why and how she ultimately left Islam.  Speaking out now on social media as an artist and ExMuslim Atheist, her art is a collection of haram (forbidden) doodles that advocate in solidarity with other courageous ExMuslims who’ve left Islam as a protest of Islam's strict restrictions.  She tells her story to spread the word about Ex-Muslim Awareness Month this December. Click here to watch on YouTubeFind Haram Doodles:Twitter: https://x.com/HaramDoodlesIG: @haramdoodles  Official website: https://haramdoodles.comWe want to meet you in real life!  Come adventure with us on our 2nd C2C VACATION!  Click here to go to the official booking pageSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**00:03:26 Haram's life growing up as a child to immigrant parents and a Muslim00:06:21 Planting seeds of doubt with the dinosaurs00:08:38 Haram's teen years living with cognitive dissonance and finding ways to grow socially00:10:58 What pun*shments looked like for Haram growing up00:11:53 Haram's anxiety about doing the wrong thing and the pressure to answer to a higher power00:14:27 How learning about other religions gave Haram some perspective on the world00:16:24 The differences between how men and women are treated in Islam00:20:45 What the Quran says about women and how Haram felt about it before and after college00:23:47 How purity culture and modesty rules in Islam are viewed as protection for women00:27:47 Haram's experience with facing marriage early, how college allowed her to put it off, and the rules she faced around going to school00:30:23 Religious reasoning for young women and girls getting married00:33:31 Studying the Quran in college from a professor who was also a Muslim00:38:01 How women inflict gender roles onto themselves under the influence of Islam00:40:37 How did Haram's mother feel about her role as a Muslim woman00:43:22 Shaming others for not practicing Islam00:43:46 Figuring out what is means to be an American Muslim00:44:07 Figuring out what is means to be an American Muslim00:46:07 The lack of support and shaming from Haram's family for not following a Muslim lifestyle00:48:12 The difficulties of a lack of individuality for Muslim women00:49:29 TW: Su*cidal ideation00:51:51 How Haram met her husband and why she started Haram Doodles00:57:39 What Haram Doodles has done for Haram and her followers01:00:08 How Haram's drawings can help activate a person's critical thinking in a softer way01:03:03 Finding bravery in her work as an artist01:05:01 Haram's moment of freedom in Norway01:11:54 Truly listening and seeing ex-Muslims for who they are and not for their choice to leave Islam and ex-Muslim awareness month01:14:22 How Haram is doing now01:16:22 Taking back power over your own body01:19:38 Linda, listen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.