Twitter posts causing possible execution!
February 15 | Posted by | Latest Updates, News Tags: blasphemy law, blasphemy law and social media, law of blasphemy
Blasphemy law and social media
The law of blasphemy also encompasses social networking sites and the latest development in this regard involves twitter and a Saudi writer.
Hamza Kashgari, a 23 year old Saudi Arabian columnist for Al Bilad newspaper, (based in Jeddah) was detained by Malaysian officials following his arrival on Kaula Lumpur International Airport this Thursday 9th of February 2012 according to a statement made by Malaysian minister of Home affairs Mr Hishammuddin Hussein. Mr Hamza Kashgari had allegedly committed blasphemy by writing insulting tweets directly addressing The Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He is therefore now a target to calls for his execution by religious conservatives in Saudi Arabia. Being on Saudi Arabia’s watch list the columnist is most likely to be deported as stated by an official from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (wishes to remain unnamed).
The official also stated that Malaysia has good diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and hence would have the convicted sent back to be subject to trials according to the rules of the respective country. Saudi Arabia has a very short tolerance in regard to blasphemy. It maintains the Islamic blasphemy law of a death penalty.
Certain reports lead to the conclusion that Mr Hamza Kashgari was hoping to seek refuge abroad. The foreign affairs official (mentioned earlier) has also stated that political asylum is not granted in Malaysia as a show of respect for the rules of other countries. The Saudi Arabian embassy in Kaula Lumpur has also been contacted in regard to the situation and so far they have not responded to any questions in this matter. According to Romen Bose (AFP) one of the tweets regarding The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) (now deleted) stated
“I have loved things about you and I have hated things about you and there is a lot I don’t understand about you.
“I will not pray for you.”
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Tags: blasphemy law, blasphemy law and social media, law of blasphemy
