Former religious radical Shiraz Maher spent his student days campaigning for an Islamic state in which execution for leaving Islam would be written into the constitution. Now Shiraz is calling for moderation and greater Muslim integration into British life, a stance which has meant he himself is now labelled an apostate by some Muslim extremists.

In a Radio 4 documentary to be broadcast on 17th April, he will ask if people can stop being Muslim. He speaks to ex-Muslims about the problems they have faced which include violence, alienation from family and condemnation from their communities.

Shiraz also speaks to experts on Islamic law in an attempt to find out whether the death penalty is really justified by the Qu’ran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad, or whether Muslim attitudes to apostasy are more indicative of the them and us mentality fostered by some religious leaders.
Radio 4 - 17th April at 8pm.
It will be available to listen on the Radio 4 website after broadcast.