“Save” is the acronym for “Stop All Violence Against Freedom of Expression”.
In an open letter posted on Change.org, it expressed concern over “the escalating violence perpetrated in the name of Islam in Muslim-majority societies, particularly against people who think, express, identify or believe differently outside of orthodox Islamic doctrines”.
The letter said: “Every day, thousands of thinkers, public intellectuals, human rights activists and other groups of people live under the constant terror of targeted killings committed in the name of religious morality and justice.
“Violence … is justified as retribution for the ‘crime’ of challenging particular Islamic ideologies. This ‘everyday terrorism’ is a form of violence which is invisible but present in everyday life. It is this violence that suppresses the diversity of thoughts and opinions, and effectively halts societal progress, all in the name of enforcing a dogmatic version of Islam.”
Citing recent incidents in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Yemen, it added:
“Any incitement to hatred and violence – towards critical and free thinkers, towards atheists and secularists, towards people of faith who are a minority in their respective societies, towards the LGBT people, etc. – must be condemned without reservation by all members of society.
“We therefore call upon everyone to stand with Muslim reformists and progressive religious thinkers, who are working for change from within the faith, and to lend your support to civil society organisations which are creating spaces and giving platforms to marginalised voices.
“It is our greatest hope that we see an end to these carnage and murders that are plaguing Muslim-majority societies.
“In addition, we would like to see greater dedication and organised efforts from the relevant governments to uphold and protect the basic human rights of all, and to prevent such violent incidents from ever happening again.”