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#FREEBETTY: Ex-Muslims International Campaigns for Ibtissame Betty Lachgar

#FreeBetty
4 days ago

Sign this Petition to #FreeBetty | Get this T-Shirt to Support Betty

Ex-Muslims International launched a global campaign ahead of Apostasy Day (August 22) to #FreeBetty for Ibtissame Betty Lachgar, a feminist, atheist, psychologist, and long-time human rights activist who has been arrested for “blasphemy” by Moroccan authorities. She is now in prison for sharing a photo on X of herself in a T-shirt that read: “Allah is lesbian.”

While she sits in a prison cell, thousands who issued death and rape threats against her online remain free. The decision to keep her in prison is particularly cruel given her fragile health. As a cancer survivor, she requires consistent medical attention that cannot be guaranteed in detention, placing her life in further jeopardy. 

Betty was prosecuted for “insulting Islam”, a blasphemy charge rooted in Morocco’s oppressive religious laws that carries a sentence of up to five years in prison. Meanwhile in Morocco, homosexuality is illegal under Article 489 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes “lewd or unnatural acts” between individuals of the same sex. Betty’s arrest is a grotesque violation of human rights and a chilling reminder of how apostates, atheists, feminists, and queer dissidents continue to be persecuted under the guise of “protecting religion.” Her lawyers will be submitting an appeal.

We are demanding Betty’s freedom and calling for an end to the systemic criminalization, silencing, and violence against people who question, challenge and leave religion. This is not just about a social media post or t-shirt—it’s apostophobia in action and yet another religiously-motivated attack on our collective rights to freely think, speak and express ourselves.  

Download the Press Dossier in English

Ex-Muslims International news and updates about Betty

Media requests can be sent to Ex-Muslim International at [email protected].

#FreeBetty: Take Action to demand her immediate release

We are calling on all freedom defenders, organizers, content creators, and allies around the world to join Ex-Muslims International to:

  • Demand the immediate release of Betty in Morocco by urgently contacting lawmakers, leaders and changemakers
  • Put international pressure on Morocco and theocratic governments everywhere to uphold human rights, not religious dogma
  • Commit to secularism and push for an end to all apostasy and blasphemy laws everywhere
  • Share art, music, posters and creative content on social media in support of apostasy, blasphemy and freedom for Betty
  • Post a video with your message of solidarity with Betty, her incredible work with MALI (Mouvement alternatif pour les libertés individuelles) which she co-founded, and the human rights and freedoms she stands for
  • Coordinate and join protests at Moroccan embassies on August 27
  • Use relevant hashtags: #FreeBetty #الحرية_لإبتسام #ApostasyDay #EndApostophobia 
  • End apostophobia: visit apostophobia.com and share widely
  • Copy and share the #FreeBetty social media posts below
  • Share this letter to the government of Morocco by Ex-Muslims International

#FreeBetty: UTILIZE THESE Social Media Post TO SUPPORT BETTY

1. Urgent health focus
Betty Lachgar is jailed in Morocco for “blasphemy” — and denied urgent cancer treatment. Her health is at risk. She must be freed now. #FreeBetty 

2. Wider principle
Blasphemy and apostasy laws silence millions and destroy lives. They have no place in the 21st century. Stand with Betty and demand change. #FreeBetty

3. Solidarity call
Betty’s voice is silenced, but ours is not. Post your photo with a sign saying #FreeBetty to show she is not forgotten.

4. Comparison framing
We treat slavery and trafficking as crimes against humanity. Why not blasphemy and apostasy laws? These laws violate basic dignity and must end.
#FreeBetty #EndBlasphemyLaws

5. Short and to the point
Blasphemy is not a crime. #FreeBetty  

Suggestion: 

  • Share one per day across platforms → keeps the campaign in feeds. 
  • Ask allies/orgs to retweet/share so momentum builds. 
  • Pair each with an image (Betty’s photo, campaign poster, solidarity photo). 

Longer Caption (Instagram / Facebook) 

Betty Lachgar, a Moroccan feminist and human rights activist, has been imprisoned on blasphemy charges since August. She is a cancer survivor who still requires ongoing medical care — care now at risk because of her detention. 

This is not just about one woman. Blasphemy, apostasy, and anti-LGBTQ+ laws silence millions worldwide. They violate the most basic human rights and dignity!

Betty’s case is urgent. Her health and freedom are at stake. But it is also a symbol of a wider fight for freedom of belief, freedom of expression, and equality for all. 

📢 Here’s how you can help: 

  • Sign and share the petition. 
  • Post your photo with a sign saying #FreeBetty. 
  • Write to your MPs, UN, and NGOs using the template letters. 
  • Keep the conversation alive on social media. 

No one should face prison — or be denied essential medical care — for their thoughts, beliefs, or identity. Let’s raise our voices together. 

get NEWS & updates about ibtissame Betty Lachgar from around the world

Freethinkers International
Freedom of expression lives where offence begins: In defence of Ibtissame Betty Lachgar
https://freethinker.co.uk/2025/09/freedom-of-expression-lives-where-offence-begins-in-defence-of-ibtissame-betty-lachgar

The Independent
Family of cancer survivor jailed over ‘Allah is lesbian’ T-shirt fears for her health behind bars
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ibtissam-lachgar-morocco-islam-prison-b2821042.html

Freedom from Religion Foundation
FFRF urges global action for Moroccan activist given 30 months for ‘blasphemous’ T-shirt
https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-urges-global-action-for-moroccan-activist-given-30-months-for-blasphemous-t-shirt/

National Secular Society (UK)
NSS calls on Moroccan ambassador to free ‘blasphemy’ prisoner
https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/08/nss-calls-on-moroccan-ambassador-to-free-blasphemy-prisoner

Charlie Hebdo
« Allah est lesbienne », Ibtissame Lachgar, militante féministe dans les geôles de Mohammed VI
https://charliehebdo.fr/2025/08/international/afrique/allah-est-lesbienne-ibtissame-lachgar-militante-feministe-dans-les-geoles-de-mohammed-vi/

AP News
A Moroccan court on Wednesday rejected a request to release a woman on trial for blasphemy despite concerns about her health and the risk of amputation.
https://apnews.com/article/fdc38b2d491ae2c0ec3b6c565b3d3d9b

El País (Spain)
The Moroccan judiciary keeps Ibtissam Lachgar in prison, the activist who appeared with the slogan ‘Allah is lesbian’ despite her serious health problems.
https://elpais.com/internacional/2025-08-27/la-justicia-marroqui-mantiene-en-prision-a-ibtissam-lachgar-la-activista-que-se-exhibio-con-el-lema-ala-es-lesbiana.html

France24
Moroccan feminist accused of ‘offending Islam’ denied medical release despite health concerns.
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250827-moroccan-feminist-accused-of-offending-islam-denied-medical-release-despite-health-concerns

The New Arab
Despite surviving cancer and facing the risk of losing her arm, Moroccan feminist Ibtissame Lachgar has been denied release over blasphemy.
https://www.newarab.com/news/moroccan-feminist-health-risk-denied-release-over-blasphemy

Maghrebi
Moroccan feminist jailed for blasphemy triggers international outcry.
https://maghrebi.org/2025/08/27/moroccan-feminist-jailed-for-blasphemy-triggers-international-outcry

National Secular Society (UK)
A woman has been arrested in Morocco after wearing a t-shirt with the words ‘Allah is lesbian’ — a stark reminder of the cruelty of blasphemy laws.
https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/08/woman-arrested-in-morocco-after-wearing-allah-is-lesbian-t-shirt

Ex-Muslims North America
Betty Lachgar is in solitary confinement for nothing more than a t-shirt — a brutal display of apostophobia and repression.
https://exmuslims.org/newsletter/the-trial-of-betty-lachgar-solitary-confinement-for-a-t-shirt

Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
Free Ibtissame Betty Lachgar! Protest at the Moroccan Embassy, London.
https://ex-muslim.org.uk/2025/08/27-august-free-ibtissame-betty-lachgar-protest

watch Ibtisame Betty Lachgar’s history of fighting for secularism, freedom, and human and lgbt rights

Betty is a trailblazing activist and co-founder of MALI (Mouvement alternatif pour les libertés individuelles or Alternative Movement for Individual Freedoms). For years, she has fought on the frontlines for the rights of women, youth, LGBTQ+ people, and nonbelievers, and for the normalization of blasphemy and apostasy as forms of freedom—not crimes. Her arrest is a direct attack on those values—and on all of us. 

Watch her videos below to learn more about her activism, feminism and impact.