The Sharia not only denies equality of rights to non-Muslims and women; it also tends to a totalitarian extinguishing of free thought. From the Index on Censorship, with thanks to Nicolei:
A one-year prison sentence was handed down to writer, journalist and researcher Yasser al-Habib on 20 January 2004, when he was reportedly convicted of ‘questioning the conduct and integrity of some of the companions of the prophet Muhammad’ in a lecture he had delivered.
Al-Habib, who has worked for several Arabic-language newspapers, including the monthly al-Menbar (The Pulpit), was abducted in Kuwait City on 30 November 2003 by unknown individuals and taken away in an unmarked vehicle. His family was not informed that he had been detained by security forces until the following day.
Al-Habib was reportedly arrested in connection with an audio cassette recording of a lecture he gave to a small audience in a private lecture on Islamic historical issues. His research is believed to have relied heavily on Wahhabi references and texts, and is said to have angered hardline Wahhabi groups who have used their influence within the establishment to bring about the maximum punishment against al-Habib. . . .
Al-Habib has reportedly been subject to several orchestrated violent attacks in prison by Wahhabi inmates.