Hamza Kashgari, a 23-year old journalist and blogger from Saudi Arabia, is currently in jail in Jeddah awaiting trial on apostasy charges. On February 5, the day Moslems celebrated Mohammed’s birthday, Hamza sent the following tweet addressing the prophet:
“On the day of your birthday, I won’t bow before you (…) I loved certain things about you, but I abhorred others, and there is so much I don’t understand about you.”
It was too much for Saudi Arabians’ monochrome mentality. It caused an outrage among Twitter users and netizins who alerted the authorities. A facebook page was created and has now over twenty thousand members clamoring for Hamza’s execution. Why facebook is allowing such a masquerade is unclear at this time.
The following day, he sent another tweet recognizing his “sin” and apologizing, but it was too late. The religious authorities, known to have an animus against shaving kits and free thinking which they believe is the work of Satan, decided to try him for publicly repudiating Islam. This of course makes Islam sound like a mafia; once you’re in, it’s for life. In accordance with the unreasonable and angry sharia law, Hamza will most likely face a stiff sentence to “restore his soul,” if not the gallows.
Hamza Kashgari
After having received hundreds of death threats, Hamza boarded a flight on February 9 to New Zealand via Malaysia. Unfortunately, upon arriving to Kuala Lampur, he was arrested at the behest of Saudi authorities and deported two days later back to Jeddah. International human rights associations accused Interpol of disseminating a warrant for his arrest and deportation knowing that Hamza would face an unfair trial and a possible execution. Interpol categorically denied involvement.
Without the support of the international community, Hamza has little chance of walking out of this ordeal alive. In a country crisscrossed by red lines, a minefield of known and unspoken taboos where he is considered a radical fringe, the young journalist has very few sympathizers. Those who support Hamza’s right to free expression are part of a small group of Saudi secular literati known as the “enlightened Moslems.” Their point is not to change the conservative majority, but rather to allow a free thinking minority the right to self-actualization.
Saudi conservative intellectuals seized the opportunity to attack the “enlightened Moslems.” Dr. Suhayla Zinalabidin Hamad, a prominent academician and a member of the Saudi Human Rights Association nonetheless, bemoaned the alarming pervasiveness of secularism in the Saudi society and accused the proponents of freedom of speech of encouraging the desecration of Islam ‘sacrosanct symbols. She called for an inquisition of those writers who, she claims, use creative license as an excuse to irreverence.
Ironically, it hasn’t been two years since Prince Saud al-Faisal said to an American journalist that Saudi Arabia is “breaking away from the shackles of the past,” since Jedah hosted Art Pure, an avant-garde exhibition similar to the ones organized in New York City, Paris, or Rome, without a raid from the marauding mutawas.
The Hadith relates the story of Abdoullah Ibn Oubay, a follower of the prophet who was known to be a hypocrite. It was reported to Mohammed that Ibn Oubay insulted him and was urged to kill him to deter others from similar disrespect. Mohammed refused. And so, this is not about why I and so many others are critical of Islam’s unsparing posture vis-à-vis those who question its precepts, but rather why Islam today has grown less tolerant than during the time of its prophet.
A. T. B. © 2012
You have hit the nail on the head when you compared Islam to the Mafia: once you’re in, it’s for life.
religions, all religions, are nothing but brain washing. They are for the weak that find comfort in numbers. For those that are afraid of dying. For those hoping, against all logic, to have an eternal life.
> “This of course makes Islam sound like a mafia; once you’re in, it’s for life.”
You’re making mafias sound worse than religions…which they’re not!
Unlike Islam, the Mafia doesn’t consider that babies are automatically enrolled in it. It’s an engagement that one enters in early adulthood. Also, members of the Mafia are generally in it for the money. You can buy out their allegiance to the Cosa Nostra. Muslims, on the other hand, are happy to lay down their lives for some pie in the sky.
Since this blog is entitled “A Moroccan about the world around him”, one should add that Morocco does not allow people to convert out of Islam either. That is, this interpretation is not restricted to Wahabi Saudi Arabia, but is pretty much mainstream Sunni doctrine.
> “a small group of Saudi secular literati known as the “enlightened Moslems.” ”
Unless they are committed (some might say crazy!) enough to divulge their identity, you have no way of checking the size of this groups. For all we know, it could be nothing more than sock-puppeteering or – worse – a fat guy in Edinburgh!
If I’m missing something, do share references.
> “And so, this is not about why I and so many others are critical of Islam’s unsparing posture vis-à-vis those who question its precepts, but rather why Islam today has grown less tolerant than during the time of its prophet.”
The fact that slavery’s eradicated in the majority of majority-Muslim countries (with exceptions in Mauritania and Sudan) invalidates that premise. Islam has grown a lot more tolerant since the time of its so-called prophet. It’s a fact and only severely deluded people would dispute it. A monotheistic ideology born in 7th century Arabian desert can’t survive and propagate without becoming increasingly more tolerant and pluralistic.
Slavery, cutting hands, floggings and stonings to death are shocking to the average Muslim nowadays, while they were common place 15 centuries ago.
If one cherry picks the way you do, one could show tolerance in men such as Genghis Khan or Heinrich Himmler. The fact is that they were all forgiving at times.
Q: Why don’t they allow him to ask for refugee status in a civilized country?
A: Because the Twitter servers would melt the next day
Sidi Ahmed,
You would think this piece would be enough therapy for Fawzi and would relax him fro at least a couple of weeks. But noooo.. apparently, unless you increase his doze by declaring Islam to be the source of all evil, expect him to come back for me. ( chill out ba fawzi)
On a serious note, I found your piece to state what most read and lay people know about Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is known for “Intellectual Terrorism” (I am using the term “intellectual” very loosely here) Al Saudi are known to do anything that would appease those Mutawa3een elites. In order to understand that, you have to have a good handle of the symbiotic relationship between the ruling family and the religious elites.
This type of intellectual terrorism is very much alive and kicking in America. Espousing to Marxist views can land you in some hot waters. I am not drawing any parallels here, I am just saying that witch hunts can be waged under different names and in different context. This fellow was not too wise. As a supported of Morocco’s claim over the Sahara, I cringe at the shit that befell those who even suggest that Sahraouis have a real grievance that ought to be considered. Need I remind you of what happened to those who openly say that Morocco is waging a cleansing war in the Sahara? Well, some of them found themselves with very cushy jobs and a generous expense account when they decided ” to reconsider” the others, well the others… no on really know for sure.
Now, it is not just religious groups that are engaging in this kind of terrorism, others who have interest in fostering an environment of “policed thoughts” are doing the same thing and guess what they are draped in the flags of secularism. Can I interest you in a piece I wrote a couple of days ago.
http://moroccoworldnews.com/2012/02/from-religious-to-secular-manicheans/29208
Thank you
I have no idea why you keep asking me to chill out and accuse me of anger. Do you have nothing of value to add besides unfounded invectives? Deflections like MacCarthism, the Western Sahara, and the surreal mention of secularism and “policed thoughts” in the same breath just show your utter disregard for Reality.
Stories like Hamza’s abound in the Muslim world. The reason this one gained attention is because of the medium this person through which he chose to convey his thoughts. The fact that he was forcibly extradited from the Muslim country he fled to is common practice (the prevailing Ummah mentality). Everyday, and across the MENA region, people are persecuted for their beliefs (or – to be more precise – lack thereof). Things that don’t even register on the media’s radar.
Technically, secularism is a belief system. But only the ignorant or liar would see it as remotely analogous to religion (let alone the organized-cult versions of the latter). Let alone manicheism! Secularism advocates total freedom of belief. The claims of each belief are then debated in an open public forum that emphasizes the values of reason and critical thinking. There are legitimate criticisms that can be thrown at secularism. For one thing, and as a model to organize societies, it does not stand a snowball’s chance in a pulsar to succeed unless the society is educated. If you don’t see the causality between secularism and all the niceties that characterize developed societies (peace, prosperity, etc.), there’s nothing I can do about it. I advise you to educate yourself, travel around, argue outside of your comfort zone, ditch group think, and accept that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. It’s a tough journey, but the intellectual rewards are well worth the efforts.
I know this all sounds condescending, but you’re not dealing with what Sartre called the “tièdes”. Religions are an obstacle to global peace and cherry-pickers such as yourselves are their best defense. Any ill founded excuse for an argument will be dealt with swiftly.
Intellectually, you’re on the losing side. That much is trivial to the discerning honest person. And that’s the very reason behind the recent increase in fundamentalism and religious saber rattling.
Oh, how I wish the latter was only a metaphor…
Peace.
Fawzi,
You are right, I tend to ramble a lot after smoking weed. My doctor thought it would help remedy exposure to bloggers hypocrisy and double standards. I am sorry I was not too clear in stating one simple point.
Sanctioning thoughts is not a new phenomenon. When it comes to cherry picking, you my friend, have made up with the whole damn cake. Hamza is not the first and is not going to be the last. If you are going to advocate for Hamza’s right to be speak his mind (as gratuitously as he wishes). Remember that the salafi Imams who were recently issued royal pardon, were in jail for attempting to speak their minds. I didn’t hear you speaking about their plight. When you decide to know Islam for its treatment of Homosexuals, enlighten us a bit about what Mark Warren and the millions of $$ he is pumping into exterminating homosexuals in Uganda and other African countries. I once came across a blog where someone with your moniker was knocking Sayed Qutb. Something tells me it was none other than you. Well, Qutb was executed for standing his grounds defending his ideas. I am sure you sympathized with Salman Rushdi as his life was threatened. Show a little balance and fairness (not the FOX news kind), switch your attention a bit to Salafi Santorum.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go see Lady Gaga. She is in town supporting the “I was born that way” campaign. I bet you It will be FABULOUS
Wa3alaykom Assalam
I was not expecting the “I was intoxicated” excuse (the Mossaâb Ghellab syndrome?).
Let’s get a few things clear: Secular forces in Morocco have always asked for the release of the Salafis. The PSU, the AMDH, Benchemssi, Jamai and other secularists (whom, in any case, constitute an infinite minority in Morocco) have unambiguously defended the right of Salafis to freely express their ideas. I fully subscribe to that position and have signed many petitions in that sense. It’s customary to apocryphally quote Voltaire at this point, so here it goes:
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Evelyn Beatrice Hall in The Friends of Voltaire, 1906
I don’t know any high profile Mark Warren involved in Uganda. If you meant Pastor Rick Warren, then I don’t see your point. The mainstream American civil society is already doing a fantastic job attacking him and his Evangelical work. From the LA Times, the NYT, Hollywood, the Daily Show, the American Humanist Association, the ACLU, the GLAA, the Supreme Court, President Obama, to just about any influential think thank in the US. They’re ridiculing him beyond belief (no pun intended). Also, not being an American citizen, resident or in any way associated with the USA, I don’t see the point of trashing a religion that has been neutered like no other in history. Cultural Christians are doing an amazing job by relentlessly trashing Warren and his ilk. Consequently, non-believers are the fastest growing group in the country.
Sayyid Qutb was the most influential Muslim thinker of last century. And it’s because of his ideology that we ended up with the rise of the Taliban, Salafism, AlQaeda and many other terrible things. I have no qualms intervening anytime he is glorified. For clarity and to help the reader follow, I shall link to the post you are probably referring to.
http://eplume.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/%D8%B6%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%82%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%91%D8%AF-%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A8-qutb/
I was in diapers when the Satanic Verses came out. So you’re wrong on that count. But I’m now too old to know (or care) about the commercial pop music culture. My kids might be interested in your evening plans and this Gaga lady. I assure you that such deflections further undermine whatever argumentative train-wreck you were on.
Deflections??? you assholes read from the same script; and you accuse me of pack mentality.
Please refrain from mentioning Benshemsi and Jamai in the same breath, the latter may find it offensive
Hit a few nerves there, did I?
I don’t read from any script. That’s the beauty of free thinking (free as in speech, not beer!). Unburdened by tradition, myth and superstition. Unlike others who proudly insist that they submit their will and thinking to some deity, and bind their thinking by some millennia old books straight out of the desert.
I wonder who do you mean when you say “you assholes”? Richard Feynman? John Brockman? Albert Einstein? Sam Harris? People who are the brightest minds of their respective generations and hold a similar worldview, but which they arrived at independently? I genuinely pity you. Which is the reason I won’t bite in your attempt to escalate into a shouting and name-calling match. Frankly…li fik yekfik a3emi!
Moreover, I’ll mention Benchemsi and Jamai together because their publications represented the promise of a new era of freedom of speech. They are both staunch secularists. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you also contact the Economist, the Nation, Le Monde, L’Express, Jeune Afrique and every other publication that mentions them in the breath. Aboubakr (whom I had the pleasure of meeting many times) would not be offended by that. And even if he is, how about you let him speak for himself. What’s with this Muslim tendency to feign offense everytime their brain can’t handle or even comprehend a topic?
Si Fawzi,
Now that you are done thumping your chest, listen to this. All you have done throughout this entire exchange is try to box me into what you think I believe and what you think defines me as a thinking being. In fact, assholes like you who see things as black and while tend to see the world that way. This polarizing shit does not impress me at all. So, don’t flatter yourself buddy. Those you mention are way out of your league. Joining their league will cut into your livelihood. I was thinking about mercenaries like Beck, Nabulsi, Geller, Shoebat and others, those are your peers. You are all handed the same script and keep blurting out the same package garbage. You are no different than those Imams delivering the Friday Sermon that was written by some poor underpaid slob from the ministry of interior. You are all a bunch of paid cheap whores.
As for Jamai, I got to know him when he came to Harvard as a Nieman fellow. He strikes me as a very descent, bright, BALANCED human being who could have made a fortune as a 20 something year old when he worked for Azoulay. I can’t say the same thing about benshemsi. I usually don’t discuss people, this is definitely stooping and this is my last comment here. I will let you have the last word; I know how you assholes like to have the last word. Just try to put the script aside and tell us something new
Have a great weekend…
Are you kidding me? Beck, Geller and Shoebat (I don’t know this Nabulsi person) are all raving lunatics who have more in common with Muslims than they do with me or the people I listed. Given your utter disregard for reality, you might not realize that they all believe in some invisible big man in the sky, and that’s a more defining trait of character than their bashing of the other invisible big man in the sky.
Beck is demonstrably out to make money. I can’t say for certain about Geller and Shoebat. They might actually really believe that.
You speak of polarization as a bad thing, but you don’t see religions as the ultimate polarizing forces they are?
Not that apologists give a damn, but here’s the latest:
http://www.faithfreedom.org/features/news/saudi-journalist-facing-the-death-penalty-for-his-tweets-reportedly-to-be-released/