The printing press's creation and subsequent widespread use only served to undermine Christianity's hold on orthodoxy and aid in the dissemination of so-called enlightenment values. As the Islamists' standard-bearer at the time, the Ottoman Empire resisted and even outlawed printing presses. But that idea's time had finally come. In the Muslim world, the printing press was not only embraced but also flourished. The Holy Quran was soon printed in large quantities and made available to the general public.
Then the Internet appeared, allowing knowledge and information to spread instantly. Everyone now has access to everything. more often in their native tongue.
While it has gotten simpler to share God's word, it has also gotten simpler to share arguments against the faith. A new group of individuals appeared who had recently abandoned the religions they were raised in. The new atheists were they. Those who left Islam, however, insisted on being called "Ex-Muslims," as opposed to "Ex-Christians" or "Ex-Hindus," who want to be grouped together under the general label "atheist."
Initially, the phenomenon of ex-Muslims was exclusive to the West. They originated in the Muslim-dominated region of West Asia and attempted to oppose religion. Ali Sina, a Canadian-Iranian, launched his blog at the turn of the century. He encouraged a number of ex-Muslims to publicly declare their rejection of Islam online from the comfort of their brand-new, secular homes.
Then came YouTube. And then the Indians showed up. And in 2020, it blasted up.
These former Muslims from India started engaging with religious leaders on social media and discussing the Quran and Hadith. While doing all of this, they keep their whereabouts and identities a secret out of respect for their safety.
The ex-Muslim movement in India is derided and called a "stunt" by Muslim leaders and clergy who claim that its supporters are "too few to matter."
But one of the largest religions in the world is currently experiencing waves, if not ripples, in its ocean.
