He allegedly "called the Prophet Mohammed a terrorist."
"I have been made victorious with terror..." -- Muhammad (Bukhari 4.52.220)
You can tell they're moderates in Dubai because they didn't simply murder this tourist.
In any case, such fines (and stiffer penalties) will be coming West with Sharia and Islamization. Watch for them.
An update on this story. "British tourist fined for insulting Islam in shop," by Awad Mustafa in The National, June 10:
DUBAI // A 40-year-old tourist who insulted Islam and called the Prophet Mohammed a terrorist was fined Dh3,000 yesterday.
That's about $816.
AG, a Briton, was charged on May 18 in the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours.In his court appearance last month he was sent away after appearing in shorts. He was ordered to be suitably dressed before being allowed to enter a plea and deny the charges.
The tourist visited the Emax store in Mall of the Emirates on March 3 and uttered insulting remarks to the salesman HH, 21, from Pakistan.
"I spoke with him about the problems between the Pakistani government and Taliban, and when I understood from his responses that he was a supporter of the Taliban, I told him he was crazy because they were terrorists and they kill people and carry out bombings," AG told police. "I didn't say anything bad about Muslims and the Prophet."
HH also told investigators that he told AG he was a Muslim and that the greeting he received in response was "namaste", which is Hindi.
Horror of horrors! An insult!
HH said he saw AG back in the mall again on March 11 and called security as well as police.
Living together in the UAE? Think twice
As more and more couples in the UAE are testing the waters before jumping head first into the sea of marriage, XPRESS explores the dangers lurking behind live-in relationships
Law on living in
The Sharia law which is applied in the UAE, under the Al Khilwa Al Muharama clause, prohibits two unmarried and unrelated persons from the opposite sex living together. The application of the law may vary from emirate to emirate but when it comes to consensual sex, Article 356 of UAE Penal Code will apply. This Article stipulates a minimum jail term of one year followed by deportation.
Why is Sharia law applied to non-Muslims
It is the basis of the law in the UAE regardless of religion or nationality, says Mohammad Ridah of Ridah and Associates. Similar views are expressed by Yasser Shehatta, legal consultant at Rashed Bin Arab Advocates: "We are in a country that operates and practises Sharia law. What is important to understand is Sharia is also a code of conduct in the country. It's the UAE Penal Code which decides the punishment."
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/living-together-in-the-uae-think-twice-1.819369
I told him he was crazy because they were terrorists and they kill people and carry out bombings," AG told police. "I didn't say anything bad about Muslims and the Prophet."
Islam is above public criticism in Dar al-Harb, although the Infidel hosts have been mostly cowed into holding their tongues even in private.
Islam is above criticism in Dar al-Islam. Period.
*** 33:21 ***
What happened here is the Britisher was stupid enough to project his values on Moslem shopkeeper located deep in the heart of Dar al-Islam.
He should knowed better, and now he does.
Hopefully AG will spend his future vacations in any other number of tourist spots, such as Thailand, or Tahiti, or Vegas, or the Bahamas...
just NOT any country where stating one's opinion can earn one a fine, or worse.
The really interesting thing here, if AG's account of what he said is accurate, is that he can be construed as having criticized Islam only if criticizing the Taliban constitutes criticism of Islam. In other words, the court officially recognizes that when the Taliban engage in terrorism they are acting in accordance with Islam.
The complaint about namaste is really funny. Although it is Sanskrit, it has no religious meaning. It just means "reverence to you". Furthermore, it is reported that the flight attendants on Emirates, the official Dubai airline, greet all passengers with namaste on their flights to and from India.
" AG ", being a Briton, should already be used to this kind of thing.
The same thing would have happened to him back in England, had he voiced his opinion out loud.
Beats Mazeltov
Already happened in England.....
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/11/uk-man-fined-300-for-offensive-comments-about-allah-that-no-one-but-police-heard.html
once again...Why would anyone want to visit a Muslim country?.
One man's word against another. Only, one man is a Muslim, and the other a non-Muslim. Since a non-Muslim's word counts for nothing under sharia, and that of a lying Muslim has standing, it isn't one man's word against another, is it?
Can't wait for Islamic courts to open de rigeur in Europe. Some people are in for a real shock.
I am not suprised they found the non muslim guilty. There was a joke on a plaque hanging on a wall inside the US embasy in Saudi Arabia long before Gulf War I:
If you have a car accident with a sunni you are guilty.
If you have a car accident with a shiah, he is guilty.
If you run over and kill a hindu go to the nearest police station and cliam your prize.
I frequently visit Turkey. My girlfriend is an Alevi Muslim and we hope to marry someday. Also, I work in Abu Dhabi for big oil. It isn't so bad, if you just keep your head down.
" My girlfriend is an Alevi Muslim and we hope to marry someday."
ThinkLogic,
I wish you and your girlfriend all the best. Many US companies do business in the emirates. Most of the time, the Sharia laws are ignored for visitors, within non-political boundaries.
It is important to keep in mind, though, what you are dealing with. The emirates are not free countries; nor are individual rights respected, except as a measure expedient to business. Businessmen make the mistake of assuming that because they are comfortable in the luxury accomodations of Abu Dhabi, that they are in a friendly environment.
You are aware, I presume, that it is strictly against Sharia for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim. The Muslims assume that the husband totally dominates the wife (true in Muslim relationships), and so marrying a non-Muslim wife does not take the family out of Islamic practices.
Be prepared for your Muslim girlfriend having serious problems in her family and community as your relationship becomes more open.
My girlfriend is an Alevi Muslim
Wait, there's a such thing as an Alevi Muslim and people ask what do people expect Muslims to do with their religion?!?
I only did a quick browse, but if they do more than play lip service to their beliefs, that's a far cry different than the typical Shia.
It isn't so bad, if you just keep your head down.
Sounds bad to me if you have to keep your head down.
You are aware, I presume, that it is strictly against Sharia for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim...
It's different in Alevi Islam apparently. That and the wife domination. Probably should take a quick browse.
To the Lone Sailor:
Well, you have something of a point:
Here is a clipping from the Wikipedia article on the Alevi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alevi
"A Turkish scholar working in France has distinguished four main groups among contemporary Alevis, which cautiously show their distinctive features in modern Turkey.[8]
The first is mainly represented by the urban population and emerged during the Republic. It has for decades belonged to the political left and regards Alevism as an outlook on life more than a religion. The followers hold ritual unions of a religious character and have also established cultural associations named after Pir Sultan Abdal. Man enjoys a central role, as illustrated by the phrase "God is Man" quoted above in the context of the Trinity.
The second group is more directed towards heterodox mysticism and stands closer to the Haci Bektashi Brotherhood. St Francis of Assisi and Mahatma Gandhi are considered better believers than many a Muslim.
The third group regards themselves as true Muslims and are prepared to cooperate with the state. It adheres to the way of Jafar as-Sadiq, the sixth Imam. Its concept of God is closer to that of orthodox Islam, but like the two groups already mentioned it considers the Qur'an to have been manipulated by the early Sunni Caliphs in order to eliminate Ali.
The fourth is said to be under active influence from official Iranian Shi'a to be confirmed adherents to Twelver Shia and to reject Bektashism. It follows Sharia and opposes secular state power.
Those of the first two groups rarely consider themselves as adherents of Islam."
Yes, indeed. And if one is foolish enough to do so, and even more foolishly enters into an argument with a muslim about the taliban ... I'm afraid my sympathy for this chap is somewhat muted.
Please someone make up something against this idiot and have him fined as well. He used the law to his advantage, it is time for the infidel to use the law to his advantage as well.
He deserved the $816 fine for having chosen Dubai as a hoilday destination.
Bill Poser wrote:
The really interesting thing here, if AG's account of what he said is accurate, is that he can be construed as having criticized Islam only if criticizing the Taliban constitutes criticism of Islam. In other words, the court officially recognizes that when the Taliban engage in terrorism they are acting in accordance with Islam.
.................................
Well, there is that. Then there is also the point—*always*, when dealing with "blasphemy" laws—that the accuser may exaggerate or just lie outright. Who are the courts going to believe—a good Muslim or a filthy Kaffir?
We already know the answer here...