Clearly post-Morsi Egypt is still full of people who believe in Sharia blasphemy laws. In the enlightened West, we don’t have blasphemy laws. If someone expresses what Leftists and Islamic supremacists think of as “contempt for Islam” here, the only thing that happens is that you’re excoriated as a racist and bigot, and shunned by all decent folk. Clearly a much more progressive way of doing things.
“Egyptian poet goes on trial accused of contempt of Islam,” by Mahmoud Mourad, Reuters, January 28, 2015 (thanks to Banafsheh):
CAIRO (Reuters) – A prominent Egyptian poet could face up to three years in jail over a Facebook post in which she criticized the slaughter of animals at a Muslim festival, a case which rights activists say shows how the government is muzzling free speech.
Fatima Naoot described the Prophet Abraham’s dream – in which, according to Islamic belief, God tells him to sacrifice his son as a test of his faith – as a “nightmare”. Before Abraham can carry out the deed, God provided a sheep instead as a sacrifice.
In her post, the poet criticized the sacrifice of animals at Eid al-Adha, also called the Feast of the Sacrifice, a festival that honors Abraham’s willingness to obey God.
“Millions of innocent creatures will be driven to the most horrible massacre committed by humans for ten-and-a-half centuries,” she said. “A massacre which is repeated every year because of the nightmare of a righteous man about his good son.”
The poet – whose trial began on Wednesday – has been charged with contempt of Islam, spreading sectarian strife and disturbing public peace, judicial sources and Naoot said.
She denies the charges. If convicted she could face jail terms ranging from six months to three years, the sources said.
“I will not be defeated even if I’m imprisoned,” Naoot, who did not appear in court, told Reuters on Wednesday. “The loser will be the cultural movement.”
Rights groups say a crackdown launched by the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, following the toppling of Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013, has muzzled freedom of expression.
They also say those seen as offending Islam have been targeted by the state and jailed on charges ranging from blasphemy to contempt of religion – but say this has been happening since the 2011 overthrow of autocrat Hosni Mubarak, not just since Mursi was deposed following mass protests.
The country’s courts convicted 27 of 42 defendants accused of contempt for religion in 2011-2013, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
The government denies any accusations of hindering freedom of speech or belief. It says it is committed to democracy and does not interfere in judicial matters.
Egypt’s constitution states that “freedom of belief is absolute”….
cs says
I knew this would happen to her, she told that Arabs were colonizers…
mortimer says
Islam is imperialism, colonialism, misogyny, racism, supremacism…The Holy Arab Empire.
Everyone must become an Arab in spite of the fact that they have nothing positive to offer.
Islam is a Bronze Age culture.
terry says
“Rights groups say a crackdown launched by the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, following the toppling of Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013, has muzzled freedom of expression.”
Rights groups are so ignorant and stupid, to the point they can not understand that this is not a case of crackdown by the government on free speech but by Islam itself.
Actually, if this same case was in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or Afghanistan the verdict would have been the death penalty and already carried out by Muslim vigilantes in the later two countries!
Robel says
>> In the enlightened West, we don’t have blasphemy laws.
To be precise: Germany does have a blasphemy law, the § 166 StGB. Ist is presently being discussed whether this paragraph should stay or be removed.
Otherwise, thanks for your website and the frequent information and keep up the good work.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Meanwhile, our highly paid highly underworked can-never-be-fired gubmint bureaucrats over at State are working tirelessly behind the scenes to put the Mo-Bro-Hood back in the seat of power in Cairo. If nothing else, President Obama was serious about his apology speech at Al-Azhar U.
Angemon says
And now I’m wondering what’s PETA’s stance on halal food…
Salah says
“Clearly post-Morsi Egypt is still full of people who believe in Sharia blasphemy laws.”
Of course it is. But, as an Egyptian, I can tell you this: intellectuals, academics, TV stations, especially talk shows ALL OVER the country are openly and publicly denouncing this trial and making fun of it. The public opinion is stronger than those who believe in Sharia blasphemy laws.
It may take some time, but in the end the Egyptian people will get rid of these stupid laws as they did get rid the Muslim brotherhood thugs.
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-end-of-muslim-brotherhood.html
terry says
But they won’t be able to get rid of Islam, on their own! That’s what really counts.
JOSEPH says
If someone expresses what Leftists and Islamic supremacists think of as “contempt for Islam” here, the only thing that happens is that you’re excoriated as a racist and bigot, and shunned by all decent folk.
Mr. Spencer, I think you got it wrong, “shunned by decent folk” is giving the leftists and liberals a label that they don’t deserve because they have not earned it. I know you are a very busy man and this probably slipped by.
Oh how heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Keep up the great work, you are doing a very good job.
THANKS
ECAW says
JOSEPH – He is being sarcastic. The sarcasm is one of the best things here.
JOSEPH says
Thanks. Yes I was thinking about it and it can be taken in a lot of ways, but his being sarcastic is the best. Truth be told I feel at home here for I live in a sea of liberals that I have to talk to their arse because their heads are buried in the sand. The “Mr. Spencer is doing a great job” still stands though.
Kasey says
Again, Islam is, as Islam does!
profitsbeard says
There once was a ‘prophet’ named Mo
A violent, sick so and so
Who heard voices and said
Let who doubt me be dead
And his followers won’t let it go.
ECAW says
There was a young man from Yathrib
Who said…..”And where the fuck am I sposed to find a rhyme for that?”
profitsbeard says
Let’s see…
There was a young man from Yathrib
Who said I’m not usually glib
But when Islam is near
I get a feeling of fear
That makes curses unfurl like a jib.
ECAW says
You’ve got the gift!
Crixus says
RT #imfatimanaoot
Paul says
May God protect this good woman who is pursuing a righteous
cause. Islam’s treatment of animals is pure evil – if it isn’t, then what
is?! We are well and truly at an age where good is called evil, and
evil is called good. Nice one for bringing this to our attention. I expect
other genuine liberals like Richard Dawkins will also highlight this case,
whilst the silence will be deafening from Western ‘progressive’ feminists
and even many who claim who claim to be for animal rights.