Rosina Kamis

Rosina Kamis in 2003

Rosina Kamis in 2021

Rosina Kamis, also known by her internet alias "Murtad Mama," was a controversial figure known for her outspoken criticism of Islam and the Malaysian government. Born in Malaysia, Rosina later moved to Canada, where she continued to voice her strong and unconventional beliefs. She was actively engaged online from around 2000 to 2017.

Early Life and Beliefs

Rosina's early life in Malaysia was marked by her forced adherence to Islamic practices due to her Malay background. She recounted her experiences of being compelled to attend religious school and learn the Qur'an, which she found "oppressive and nonsensical".

In her testimony, Rosina described the strict religious upbringing and the societal pressure to conform to Islamic practices. She expressed frustration with the compulsory veil and the discriminatory teachings she encountered, which ultimately led her to question and reject Islam.

Rosina Kamis held strong views about the Malaysian government's practices, including the belief that the country's identity card system was "Taliban-like" and that the government was seeking to arrest her due to her declared apostasy from Islam. Her departure from Islam and subsequent public denunciations were seen as deeply offensive by many Muslims, and her extreme views contributed to her isolation and suffering.

Objections to Islam

Rosina Kamis outlined several objections to Islam based on her personal experiences and observations:

Compulsory Religious Practices

She was forced to attend religious school and learn the Qur'an, which she found oppressive.

Veiling of Women

She objected to the compulsory wearing of the veil, finding it uncomfortable and discriminatory.

Discrimination Against Non-Muslims

She disagreed with the teachings that non-Muslims (kafirs) were destined for hell, which contradicted her experiences with "kind and respectful non-Muslim friends".

Gender Discrimination

She highlighted issues such as forced marriages, corporal punishment, and the inability of women to serve as witnesses in Shariah courts.

Critique of Islamic Teachings

She found many aspects of Islamic teachings, including certain verses of the Qur'an and Hadiths, to be "inhumane and nonsensical".

Struggles in Canada

After relocating to Canada, Rosina faced numerous personal challenges, including chronic health conditions such as leukemia and fibromyalgia. These conditions, coupled with her mental suffering, loneliness, and poverty, led her to seek Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in 2021. Her story underscores the ethical and societal complexities surrounding assisted suicide laws in Canada. Some argue that her suffering was a direct result of her own actions and choices, particularly her vocal apostasy and attacks on her former faith.

Rosina documented her journey and struggles through a series of YouTube videos and other communications, expressing her feelings of abandonment and the lack of adequate support. Her death by euthanasia on September 26, 2021, has sparked discussions about the Canadian MAiD system and its implications. To some, her tragic end was a result of her self-inflicted isolation and estrangement from her community.