My story! I am an Ex-Muslim, became and Atheist. I was visited by an Angel of God.

[Prince]

Very good advice.

My long term advice would be to get the fuck out of that country if/when you can and into one more civilised and accepting of differences of belief.

Getting the fuck out of Middle East, is definitely on my future plans. But, I just started my work career here in Dubai and the job market in this country is evolving rapidly,... unless if i was able to find a suitable job elsewhere. To consider leaving to Ireland, UK or USA.

I guess, i have to try divorcing my life from religious dogmas and not to educate myself further into this matter. I understand that for you guys is simple as you living in a modern civilized society; you guys have escaped the harsh realities surrounding these mystical believe systems. Its time for me to do the same.

[robvalue]

You are being very brave I hope that one day your work will lead to an opportunity in another country. I'm sure you would love it in the UK. You are right, I have it easy here in that regard. That's why I'm here trying to support others who I know have a much harder time.

[Jericho]

Getting the fuck out of Middle East, is definitely on my future plans.

I can understand that part easily, seeing as how I am in the Middle East now. The people here are very close-minded when it comes to religion, and I have never met anyone here (Bahrain) who is not a Muslim. Part of me really wants to get in contact with some atheists over here, and to help them realize that others around the world support them.

[rexbeccarox]

Getting the fuck out of Middle East, is definitely on my future plans.

I can understand that part easily, seeing as how I am in the Middle East now.  The people here are very close-minded when it comes to religion, and I have never met anyone here (Bahrain) who is not a Muslim.  Part of me really wants to get in contact with some atheists over here, and to help them realize that others around the world support them.

Part of you wants to help... until the head part of you gets chopped off.  Careful with that; don't mess around with these people.

[Hatshepsut]

I understand that for you guys is simple as you living in a modern civilized society; you guys have escaped the harsh realities surrounding these mystical believe systems...

As for chopping blocks or burial to the waist for stoning, we're out of the woods. Mystical stuff occurs here though. In 1997 we had this Heaven's Gate cult whose 40 members committed suicide together by drinking cyanide, after they thought a flying saucer was hiding behind Comet Hale-Bopp. This followed an even bigger mass cyanide death at Jim Jones's People's Temple in Guyana in 1978. Jones had recruited homeless and others in the USA starting at a midwestern soup kitchen.

I don't know how easy it is to enter the USA as an immigrant; I believe the process takes about 10 years unless there are already family members here. Meaning it might be a good idea to apply now if you can afford the fees; you can always turn the visa down if they offer one, and meantime be working up through the waiting list. There are also about 13 million people who live here illegally and seem to do pretty well in general, although they're always at risk that an arrest or court case could get them expelled. Most of these folks are from Latin America, although Salt Lake City, Utah, has a small community of Iraqis who fled the 2003-2010 war, some of whom don't have immigration documents.

[Prince]

I understand that for you guys is simple as you living in a modern civilized society; you guys have escaped the harsh realities surrounding these mystical believe systems...

As for chopping blocks or burial to the waist for stoning, we're out of the woods. Mystical stuff occurs here though. In 1997 we had this Heaven's Gate cult whose 40 members committed suicide together by drinking cyanide, after they thought a flying saucer was hiding behind Comet Hale-Bopp. This followed an even bigger mass cyanide death at Jim Jones's People's Temple in Guyana in 1978. Jones had recruited homeless and others in the USA starting at a midwestern soup kitchen.

I don't know how easy it is to enter the USA as an immigrant; I believe the process takes about 10 years unless there are already family members here. Meaning it might be a good idea to apply now if you can afford the fees; you can always turn the visa down if they offer one, and meantime be working up through the waiting list. There are also about 13 million people who live here illegally and seem to do pretty well in general, although they're always at risk that an arrest or court case could get them expelled. Most of these folks are from Latin America, although Salt Lake City, Utah, has a small community of Iraqis who fled the 2003-2010 war, some of whom don't have immigration documents.

Oh, I haven't properly introduced myself. I was born in Dublin, Ireland. I hold an Irish passport. My parents originally from Iraq, but my Mother holds a British passport, and my Father holds an Irish passport. My parents escaped from Iraq a long time ago... so we have no place to call home. Currently we are living here in Dubai, my parents bought an apartment and we are settled here. I have been in the Middle East for over 25 years, living between KSA, Jordan and finally in UAE. 

So, the only reason why i chose Dubai as work destination is because the job market here is expanding and many opportunities are opening each year. Plus, i can speak both Arabic & English languages and that's an advantage here in the Middle East. If i want to leave to USA, i would go to either NY, or LA California. First, i need to obtain enough work experience, then consider moving elsewhere. I can enter USA easily, with no visa required. As i hold a European passport.
 

[rexbeccarox]

Sure, you can enter, but staying is an entirely different animal.

[Prince]

Getting the fuck out of Middle East, is definitely on my future plans.

I can understand that part easily, seeing as how I am in the Middle East now.  The people here are very close-minded when it comes to religion, and I have never met anyone here (Bahrain) who is not a Muslim.  Part of me really wants to get in contact with some atheists over here, and to help them realize that others around the world support them.

I have known 4 Atheists here in the Middles East. But, you will have to search deep down to find them. They tend to stay off the radar, to avoid getting caught with their believes.

[Hatshepsut]

Oh, I haven't properly introduced myself. I was born in Dublin, Ireland...Plus, i can speak both Arabic & English languages and that's an advantage here in the Middle East... 

Well, beiti beitak.

It's probably an advantage in the USA as well, or was recently, with the military & intelligence bureaus hiring people to translate the messages they intercept from al-Qaeda and stuff. I don't know any Arabic but Ancient Egyptian belongs to the same language family and has things like suffix pronouns and the stative verb. It also borrowed some words from Arabic during its later, New Kingdom phase (ca. 1250 BCE), such as thalg --> thalgu "snow," yam --> yam'ma "lake, sea," and salam --> shalama "peace." I only took up Egyptian as a hobby. There's no speaking or aural skills needed to study it, not even a foreign language, since it's just reading their texts with the aid of a grammar & dictionary.

[Prince]

Oh, I haven't properly introduced myself. I was born in Dublin, Ireland...Plus, i can speak both Arabic & English languages and that's an advantage here in the Middle East... 

Well, beiti beitak.

It's probably an advantage in the USA as well, or was recently, with the military & intelligence bureaus hiring people to translate the messages they intercept from al-Qaeda and stuff. I don't know any Arabic but Ancient Egyptian belongs to the same language family and has things like suffix pronouns and the stative verb. It also borrowed some words from Arabic during its later, New Kingdom phase (ca. 1250 BCE), such as thalg --> thalgu "snow," yam --> yam'ma "lake, sea," and salam --> shalama "peace." I only took up Egyptian as a hobby. There's no speaking or aural skills needed to study it, not even a foreign language, since it's just reading their texts with the aid of a grammar & dictionary.

Nice catchphrase "beiti beitak" 

Egyptian dialect seems to be the standardized Arabic version in the USA, as in Hollywood War films, they use Egyptian dialect, also in War video games such as Medal of Honor. Working with the military & intelligence bureaus sounds like brilliant idea, I will have the chance to crack some hidden messages or codes. 

I am actually working in the field of interpretation/ translation, I do all sorts of translation materials. In general I am working in the Media, Marketing and Advertising Industries. I also do Script Writing, I am working on a side project of developing a movie screenplay. Still, trying to look for a concept or idea for the plot. In Dubai, I have to be extremely careful not to write about religious, sex, drugs, gang or even comedy related topics as it leads to controversial issues with the government. 

Not a while ago, My Uncle, a Medical Doctor made a typical practical 'Arab' joke at the Hospital where he works at, so the Emirate people filed a complaint against him because they thought it was extremely offensive. He later was fired from his work and sentenced 2 years not to work inside the UAE anymore, he eventually moved to NZ. Some Indian dude, whom was born & raised in Dubai, was exiled from UAE for making a YouTube comedy video depicts the story of Emirate people in a sarcastic manner. They also thought it was offensive so he was deported back to his country.