A message from Robert Spencer

I just got off the phone with Shakila, the Liberated One, and we agreed that it would be helpful, at least for people of good will, for me to add a note here affirming her veracity. I'm not concerned about jihadis, Islamic supremacists and jihad enablers who will not be satisfied by anything I say, but since people on the side of freedom have raised questions, it seemed worthwhile to address a few concerns that have been raised.

First, Shakila has posted a large amount of personal information here, leading some to be worried about her safety, and others to wonder why she is so apparently unconcerned about making personal information public even though she says she is in a country where she could be arrested or killed for her apostasy if discovered. In fact, while the information she has given about her life situation is generally accurate, she has changed small details so as to avoid detection.

However, I have not only spoken with her on the phone. I have seen her resume, have her address, seen her photograph, and have other details about her situation that have not been and are not going to be made public. Those who have detected what appear to be anomalies in her story are working from information that is necessarily incomplete, because to reveal too much would be to put Shakila in danger. For example, some have noted that she said that she didn't know Arabic, as she is Pakistani, but lives and works in a Middle Eastern country. The country in which she lives, however, has a large population of non-Arabic speakers, and English speakers are especially in demand. Others have wondered why Shakila is complaining when she lives what she describes as a reasonably wealthy and comfortable life. But a cage even gilded is still a cage: she cannot state her apostasy openly, or her life would be in danger. No amount of physical comfort can make up for the spiritual and psychic prison that Islamic apostasy law creates.

Note also that she has not asked anyone for anything, least of all money. We are working on trying to get her to a safe place, but this blog is not an appeal for any kind of assistance.

In short, Shakila is real and is telling the truth, as the estimable and courageous Ali Sina can also attest. I hope that all decent people will support her efforts to live as a free human being.