An Afghan atheist has been granted asylum on religious grounds (Picture: AFP)

An Afghan has been granted asylum in Britain on religious grounds – despite being an atheist.

The man was told he could stay because if he returned to Afghanistan he could face persecution over his rejection of Islam.

He feared he could be sentenced to death under Sharia law as an ‘apostate’ – someone who has abandoned their religious faith – unless he hid his atheism.

Evidence also showed that, because every aspect of daily life and culture in Afghanistan is permeated by Islam, living discreetly would be virtually impossible.


He fled to Britain in 2007 from a conflict involving his family and was allowed to stay for six years.



He had been raised a Muslim but, after arriving in this country aged 16, gradually turned to atheism, according to the University of Kent’s Law School, which provided the man with free legal support.

Kent Law Clinic – a pro bono service provided by students and supervised by qualified lawyers from the law school – lodged an extensive written submission with the Home Office to fight his case.

Claire Splawn, a second-year law student at the university, prepared the case under the supervision of clinic solicitor Sheona York.

She said: ‘We argued that an atheist should be entitled to protection from persecution on the grounds of their belief in the same way as a religious person is protected.’

Ms York added: ‘We are absolutely delighted for our client.

‘The decision represents an important recognition that a lack of religious belief is in itself a thoughtful and seriously-held philosophical position.’