When people think of the Middle East, they think Muslims.
While it's true that Islam is a dominant religion in the region, with about 20 percent of all Muslims residing in the Middle East and North Africa, there are many who have renounced their beliefs altogether.
Many ex-Muslims choose not to share their views publicly - for fear of oppression, torture, and possibly even the death sentence in some countries.
But, Mohammad Tawhidi, an Australian-Iraqi Muslim preacher, recently shared a screenshot of a conversation with an ex-Muslim ... and it's the definition of acceptance.
Tawhidi embraces ex-Muslims because "he believes in humanity before religion," he told StepFeed.
Here's how it all went down:
Tawhidi made sure to sneak in a joke about the "72 virgins" myth in Islam, which he has denounced previously.
When it comes to ex-Muslims, Tawhidi believes we should "never hate people for the way they think," he wrote in a tweet.
Acceptance and peace is Tawhidi's motto - after all, his Twitter handle is dubbed @imamofpeace.
His acceptance has been manifested in the many ways he has helped ex-Muslims who are in danger.
"I hear them out and I give them advice on how to handle pressure within conservative and extremist families. I also help them out financially when I can to remove themselves from dangerous areas. I have even traveled to the Middle East to help a few ex Muslims from their harsh families," Tawhidi told StepFeed.
Tawhidi does not discriminate between a believer in Islam and a non-believer in Islam.
"I welcome people from all backgrounds and from all religions because I believe in humanity before religion," he added.
On apostasy laws
A number of Muslim-majority countries still outlaw apostasy.
In 2017, a report published by the International Humanist and Ethical Union revealed that 13 countries impose the death penalty on non-believers including Afghanistan, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Tawhidi does not believe apostasy laws are valid.
"I do not believe in apostasy laws that preach killing and beheading of ex-Muslims. I believe in everybody's right to life and I respect their opinions. Just because someone differs with me ... it does not mean that we hate or kill them," Tawhidi said.