Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 2d

At @IbtissameBetty hearing today, Rabat court rejected appeal & upheld 30 month prison sentence & fine for a t-shirt.

It's scandalous, a grave injustice & chilling attack on free expression & individual rights.

We will fight for #FreeBetty

A shameful day for #Morocco.

1 2

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 2d

T-shirt worn in #London, judged in #Morocco.

Today: @IbtissameBetty Appeal
Imprisoned unjustly in Morocco — sentenced to 30 months for a T-shirt worn in London.

#FreeBetty #EndBlasphemyLaws

ex-muslim.org.uk/2025/09/free...

3 5

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 2d

Today @IbtissameBetty Appeal. She has been imprisoned unjustly in #Morocco — sentenced to 30 months in prison for a T-shirt worn in London.

Women read her sister Siham’s letter, a call for justice and dignity. #FreeBetty #EndBlasphemyLaws

www.instagram.com/reel/DPdhPdj...

1 3

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 2d

Trailer of Deeyah Khan's 2016 Film #IslamsNonBelievers, ITV Exposure.

#EndBlasphemyLaws
#FreeBetty

1

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 6d

A debate I did with apologist @TariqRamadan at Oxford Union with 2.7 million views in 2016 on #Islam in Europe. On free expression, relevant as we just celebrated #blasphemyday.
You can see full debate in defence of @Charlie_Hebdo_ here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyja...

Islam In Europe | Full Head-to-Head Debate | Oxford Union

YouTube video by OxfordUnion

www.youtube.com

2

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 6d

Secularism is Woman's Issue with Anna Zobnina, Gita Sahgal, Ibtissame Betty Lachgar* & @MaryamNamazie

*Betty is unjustly in prison in Morocco

Chaired by Ali Malik

Friday 3 October, 7:00-8:30pm, London

Organised by CEMB and One Law for All

Tickets: tinyurl.com/mrxvrj3b

2

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

The Freethinker @thefreethinkermag.bsky.social · 8d

Our previous image of the week featured Betty herself. Find out how you can help her by clicking on the links to this and the Jyllands-Posten image.

freethinker.co.uk/2025/08/imag...

#FreeBetty #BlasphemyDay @maryamnamazie.bsky.social

Image of the week: 'Allah is lesbian' (#FreeBetty) - The Freethinker

Ibitissamme Lachgar, known as Betty, is a feminist, human rights activist, and ex-Muslim who for many years has…

freethinker.co.uk

1 1 1

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

The Freethinker @thefreethinkermag.bsky.social · 8d

'Betty Lachgar is in prison...not because she harmed anyone, but because of her t-shirt. For that, she is being persecuted and prosecuted, whilst those who threatened her with rape and death walk free.' - @maryamnamazie.bsky.social on Betty's plight. #FreeBetty

freethinker.co.uk/2025/09/free...

Freedom of expression lives where offence begins: In defence of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar - The Freethinker

'To criminalise dissent is to give ideas rights they cannot have, whilst stripping individuals of rights they must.'

freethinker.co.uk

1 1

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

FiLiA @filiacharity.bsky.social · 8d

Betty was supposed to be speaking at #FiLiA2025 and we will be honouring her in her enforced absence.

#FreeBetty #LibérezBetty #LibérezBettyLachgar #FreeBettyLachgar

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 8d

On #blasphemyDay stand with Ibtissame Betty Lachgar unjustly imprisoned in #Morocco for a t-shirt. Whilst blasphemy laws claim to defend public/religious 'morality,' they in fact protect state & reinforce patriarchal control. #FreeBetty whose only 'crime' is to speak truth to power.

5 6

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 8d

On #blasphemyDay stand with Ibtissame Betty Lachgar unjustly imprisoned in #Morocco for a t-shirt. Whilst blasphemy laws claim to defend public/religious 'morality,' they in fact protect state & reinforce patriarchal control. #FreeBetty whose only 'crime' is to speak truth to power.

1

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 14d

I take Ibtissame Betty Lachgar place at Hrabre Sestre conference to speak on restrictions on abortion in countries under Islamic influence, honour Betty & demand #FreeBetty from unjust imprisonment in Morocco for a t-shirt.

📅 September 27, Split
s4her.com/en

1 1

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

The Freethinker @thefreethinkermag.bsky.social · 22d

Today is the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini's murder by the Islamic regime of Iran. Read @maryamnamazie.bsky.social's reflections on this, and the age of women's revolutions. @filiacharity.bsky.social

freethinker.co.uk/2025/09/for-...

For Mahsa Jina Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom: Summoning an Age of Humanity in an Age of Hate - The Freethinker

This is the slightly amended text of a speech given on 14 September 2025 at a commemorative event…

freethinker.co.uk

4 7

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 22d

I bought two #FreeBetty t-shirts to support the campaign to free Betty Lachgar.

Get yours today: www.bonfire.com/freebetty-1/

by @matriactivista.bsky.social

#FreeBetty | Bonfire

A T-shirt can change a life. Buy yours to support feminist activist Betty Lachgar.. Imagine wearing a T-shirt and ending up in jail. That is what happened to Moroccan...

www.bonfire.com

1 2

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 22d

We live in Age of Hate but humanity’s future is shared.

#MahsaJinaAmini murder & #WomanLifeFreedom it sparked summons Age of Humanity via a women’s revolution allowing us to imagine anew what it means to live, to resist, to be free & to be fully human.

tinyurl.com/vdmurf5d

4 3

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

FiLiA @filiacharity.bsky.social · 28d

24 groups in #Iran pledge to continue to fight in the #WomanLifeFreedom #WomensRevolution

Join #FiLiA2025 for APARTHEID AGAINST WOMEN: A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY with @maryamnamazie.bsky.social

www.iranintl.com/en/202509099...

Iranian labor, social groups vow Woman, Life, Freedom fight will continue

Twenty-four Iranian labor, social and support organizations said in a joint statement on Monday that the Woman, Life, Freedom movement sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 would not be silenced...

www.iranintl.com

2 5

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 25d

Your national flags divide

Our future is shared

#Refugeesarewelcome

#UniteTheKingdom against racism and hate

3

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

FiLiA @filiacharity.bsky.social · Aug 27

FiLiA attended today in #sisterhood & #solidarity with Betty Lachgar.

At the UK #Moroccan embassy with @maryamnamazie.bsky.social #CEMB #FaithlessHijabi & FiLiA volunteer Cristina protested peacefully at the Moroccan Embassy in #Belgium #Luxembourg

#FreeBetty #FreeBettyLachgar

6 7

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

The Freethinker @thefreethinkermag.bsky.social · Sep 3

Today in the Freethinker, @maryamnamazie.bsky.social reflects on the Betty Lachgar case. @exmuslimsorg.bsky.social @natsecsoc.bsky.social

‘To criminalise dissent is to give ideas rights they cannot have, whilst stripping individuals of rights they must.’

freethinker.co.uk/2025/09/free...

Freedom of expression lives where offence begins: In defence of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar - The Freethinker

'To criminalise dissent is to give ideas rights they cannot have, whilst stripping individuals of rights they must.'

freethinker.co.uk

1 1

Reposted by Maryam Namazie

The Freethinker @thefreethinkermag.bsky.social · Sep 4

UPDATE 4 SEPTEMBER 2025: At Betty Lachgar's trial on 3 September, she was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The Freethinker condemns this appalling outcome and reiterates its support for the #FreeBetty campaign.

@maryamnamazie.bsky.social

freethinker.co.uk/2025/09/free...

Freedom of expression lives where offence begins: In defence of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar - The Freethinker

'To criminalise dissent is to give ideas rights they cannot have, whilst stripping individuals of rights they must.'

freethinker.co.uk

2 5

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · 29d

Jin, Jiyan, Azadî – #WomanLifeFreedom

with Natasha Walter, Mehri Rezai, Maryam Namazie, Noura Sabri, Shirona Jude-Manorajh, Dewa Khan, Freny Pavri, Sara Fotros, Suna Alan, EKA | Bandura

14 Sept, 2:00 PM

Kurdish Community Centre, 11 Portland Gardens, Harringay, London N4 1HU

3

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · Sep 5

I stand with @IbtissameBetty against scandalous 2.5 year prison sentence in #Morocco for 'Allah is Lesbian' t-shirt taken in London. She has been jailed for 30 months for "Insulting Islam". Why is it an insult for God to be a woman or lesbian? #FreeBetty
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQaU...

Maryam Namazie: Free Ibtissame Betty Lachgar

YouTube video by Nano GoleSorkh (Bread and Roses TV)

www.youtube.com

1 3

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · Sep 3

Freedom of expression lives where offence begins: In defence of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar @thefreethinkermag.bsky.social
To offend is to question certainty, strip sacred of its privilege & laugh in face of fear & threats. Society that bans offence bans thought itself.
tinyurl.com/r3e7wah2
#FreeBetty

2 3

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · Aug 26

27 August: FREE IBTISSAME BETTY LACHGAR PROTEST

Date: Wednesday 27 August 2025

Time: 3–4 PM

Location: Moroccan Embassy, 49 Queen’s Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE

ex-muslim.org.uk/2025/08/27-a...

1 3

Maryam Namazie @maryamnamazie.bsky.social · Aug 25

Join protest to #FreeBetty on date of trial for “Allah is a Lesbian” T-shirt. Being LGBT is not an insult; criticism of religion's not a crime.
Wed 27 Aug
15:00–16:00
Moroccan Embassy, 49 Queen’s Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE
@CEMB_forum @FaithlessHijabi Ex-Muslims Intl

1