This speaker participated in our 2020 Conference. Learn more about our 2023 conference speakers here.
Imtiaz Shams is a tech entrepreneur and human rights activist who has used his experience to help apostates who suffer when they leave conservative religions. In 2012, he began creating ‘underground railroad’ networks for Ex-Muslims around the world. In 2015, he set-up Faith to Faithless, an organization working to reduce the stigma faced by ‘apostates’ of all religions. He has been featured on the BBC, Vice, the Guardian, the Times, and his charity program has helped thousands find a place in a world that often dehumanizes the non-religious. In 2017 he was the first Ex-Muslim ever to speak at an Islamic Conference, as he believes religious organizations are important in the fight to tackle apostate discrimination. In 2019 he set up the educational charity Think School, creating education videos in multiple languages like English, Bangla, Arabic, Hindi on topics like science, history and human rights. Think is backed by renowned Professors in areas like paleontology, evolution and economics and has 3 BAFTAs, a Grierson and an Oscar on the team. Imtiaz believes Humanism is vital in the fight to bring happiness to apostates who face discrimination from their families, community, and state.
