Many members of the group were long-serving RSS activists who became disillusioned with the Hindu right-wing’s refusal to replicate the 2002 communal killings in Gujarat nationwide.… Read the rest
Interpol as theocracies’ little helper
Feb 13th, 2012 11:18 am | By Ophelia BensonInterpol has said it had nothing to do with the extradition of Hamza Kashgari, but Dennis McShane MP apparently didn’t get the memo – or got the memo and didn’t believe it.
The charge of apostasy was maintained, his home was attacked and, again, sensibly enough, Kashgari decided it was time to leave Saudi Arabia. The response of the Saudis was to approach Interpol and ask them to issue an international search and arrest warrant.
Interpol is meant to be tackle serious crime, not act as the little helper for régimes that want to kill journalists.
Maryam too finds the memo not entirely convincing:
… Read the restIf it says so – though I am skeptical especially since its has done
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
The real agenda behind Kashgari’s arrest
Feb 13th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFostering a climate of fear and oppression is the best guarantee of compliance and Islam is a traditional rallying cry for the masses.… Read the rest
Denis MacShane MP rebukes Interpol
Feb 13th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonInterpol is meant to tackle serious crime, not act as the little helper for régimes that want to kill journalists.… Read the rest
Known for his reformist views
Feb 13th, 2012 10:50 am | By Ophelia BensonPEN International on Kashgari.
… Read the restPEN demands his immediate and unconditional release, in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It also calls upon the Saudi authorities to provide him with immediate and effective protection.
According to PEN’s information, Kashgari, a 23-year-old writer from Jeddah, tweeted a series of messages addressed to the Prophet Mohammed on the anniversary of the Prophet’s birth on 4 February 2012, some of which conveyed questions about his faith. Twitter registered more than 30,000 responses to his tweets, many of which accused him of blasphemy and called for his death. On 5 February 2012 Nasser al-Omar, an influential cleric, called for Kashgari to be tried in a Sharia court
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
The gap between rhetoric and reality in the Karnataka BJP
Feb 13th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe hypocrisy in Karnataka is almost Victorian in its intense public sanctimony and its private flouting of those norms.… Read the rest
BJP ministers found watching porn during meeting
Feb 13th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThey claimed to have been watching the clip as part of their homework on an upcoming debate on rave parties in the assembly. Riiight.
BBC apologizes for broadcasting promotional material
Feb 13th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe Malaysian PM’s office had paid FBC to promote BN and Malaysia’s oil palm industry on news shows that it was producing for the BBC.… Read the rest
Those who are wanted by their countries of origin
Feb 13th, 2012 9:27 am | By Ophelia BensonMalaysia today is defending its extradition of Hamza Kashgari back to Saudi Arabia where he could easily be executed for saying he has questions about Mohammed.
… Read the restInternational rights groups have slammed the deportation but Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysia was not a safe haven for fugitives.
Jiddah-based newspaper columnist Hamza Kashgari, 23, was detained Thursday at the Malaysian airport while in transit to New Zealand. He was deported Sunday despite fears from rights groups that he may face the death penalty if charged with blasphemy over remarks he tweeted that many considered offensive.
“I will not allow Malaysia to be seen as a safe country for terrorists and those who are wanted by their countries of origin, and also
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Malaysia defends extradition of Hamza Kashgari
Feb 13th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAllegations that Kashgari could be tortured and killed if he were sent back home are “ridiculous” because Saudi Arabia is a respectable country, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said.
PEN International fears for the safety of Hamza Kashgari
Feb 13th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPEN demands his immediate and unconditional release, in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights… Read the rest
Moderation and tolerance
Feb 12th, 2012 6:18 pm | By Ophelia BensonSomeone called Daisy Khan* had a really fatuous piece at Comment is Free on Thursday about “Islamophobia” in the US.
She started by making the issue entirely one of terrorist violence. There isn’t much, she said. Therefore, no issue.
But terrorist violence is not the only issue. It’s much more complicated than that. There is also the issue of women’s rights, and the issue of gay rights, and the matter of apostasy, and then there’s blasphemy. You’d never know any of that mattered from reading Daisy Khan.
Our allies in the interfaith and civil rights communities are working to counteract the fabricated opposition to Islam that is gaining strength in America today.
To counteract opposition to Islam? Really? We’re not … Read the rest
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Free Hamza Kashgari
Feb 12th, 2012 5:41 pm | By Ophelia BensonYou know the drill – same old same old. Join this Facebook group. You know the media report it when causes get big support on Facebook, so join. I added a few people, because you can’t just invite any more – but I’m shy about adding because it seems so presumptuous, so if I neglected to add you, add yourself. And all your friends. Don’t be shy!
And sign the petition.
And say harsh things about Malaysia as well as Saudi Arabia.… Read the rest
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Malaysia extradites Kashgari
Feb 12th, 2012 12:18 pm | By Ophelia BensonMalaysia has deported Kashgari back to Saudi Arabia.
Police confirmed to the BBC that Hamza Kashgari was sent back to Saudi Arabia on Sunday despite protests from human rights groups.
Mr Kashgari’s controversial tweet last week sparked more than 30,000 responses and several death threats.
That’s the BBC doing it again – his tweet “sparked” more than 30,000 calls for him to be executed (or “responses” as the BBC put it). It’s just a little bit his fault for being controversial. Just ever so slightly.
Insulting the prophet is considered blasphemous in Islam and is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.
Slightly random, since Kashgari didn’t actually “insult” Mo. But the BBC wants to make sure everyone realizes it … Read the rest
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Malaysia has deported Hamza Kashgari to Saudi Arabia
Feb 12th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Insulting the prophet” is considered blasphemous in Islam and is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.… Read the rest
Republicans vote against Domestic Violence bill
Feb 12th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia Benson“Family Values” in action.… Read the rest
Over 8000 sexual abuse victims in Milwaukee archdiocese
Feb 12th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe charges cover a span of 60 years and implicate a group of 100 alleged offenders, including nuns, church workers and some 75 priests.… Read the rest
Interpol criticized for arresting a “blasphemer”
Feb 12th, 2012 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSaudi Arabia used Interpol’s system to get a journalist arrested in Kuala Lumpur for insulting Muhammad on Twitter.… Read the rest