of London Islamic society. The organisation quickly broadened to include people leaving a wide range of religions, including new age religions, Jehovah's Witnesses, ultra-orthodox Judaism, Exclusive Brethren and Christianity. Work In addition to campaign work the organisation uses social media to create online communities and organises meetings, conferences and social events for ex-religious people. Shams himself first publicly stated he had left his religion by posting on Facebook and has said that in order to create strong and visible communities and help families deal with the issues surrounding apostasy (in his own experience with Islam) it is necessary to bring the debate into mainstream public media. The organisation also focusses on specific feminist issues for women leaving religion, recognising that for many women religion is linked to control and loss of freedom and autonomy. Faith to Faithless also supports Australian and New Zealand ex-Muslims and provides assistance with setting up online groups, including providing advice about protecting the anonymity of members and connecting groups with similar issues. In 2016 members of Faith to Faithless were invited by Labour peer Lord Soley to present at a meeting in the House of Lords on the topic of leaving a religion. Faith to Faithless has also called upon the government to protect non-religious parents and children, particularly within isolated and ultra-orthodox communities where financial and social support can be entirely lacking. Faith to Faithless also advises and trains British police and social workers on dealing with specific issues around apostasy. Since January 2017 Faith to Faithless has been a part of Humanists UK (formerly the British Humanist Association). Shams is also a trustee at Humanists UK. In the autumn of 2017, founder Imtiaz Shams spoke at an event organised by Ex-Muslims of North America in Washington, D.C. Faith to Faithless holds socials and tours of British museums including the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. The tours aim to contribute to the education of former members of high-control religions who may have had an isolated upbringing or limited educational opportunities and to provide opportunities to meet new people. See also Atheism Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain Criticism of Islam Ex-Muslims of North America Footsteps (organization) Mavar Religious disaffiliation References External links Faith to Faithless YouTube channel Leaving Islam BBC documentary Atheist organizations Advocacy groups in the United Kingdom Support groups Humanist associations Non-profit organisations based in England Secularist organizations Former Muslims organizations