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Sharia Saudi Arabia sentences poet to death for apostasy and blasphemy

Nov 29, 2015 8:07 pm By Robert Spencer

“Hundreds of writers around the world have joined human rights groups in urging Saudi Arabia to release a poet who faces the death sentence on charges of ‘apostasy’ for his poetry.” Yet in the West, numerous writers rebuked the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists even after they were murdered, and attacked our Muhammad cartoon contest — both for daring to insult Muslims by transgressing against Sharia blasphemy laws, the same laws by which Ashraf Fayadh has been sentenced to death.

ashraf fayadh

“Outrage over Saudi death sentence for poet on blasphemy charges,” by Schams Elwazer, CNN, November 29, 2015:

(CNN) — Hundreds of writers around the world have joined human rights groups in urging Saudi Arabia to release a poet who faces the death sentence on charges of “apostasy” for his poetry.

Palestinian poet and artist Ashraf Fayadh, 35, was sentenced to death by a court in the southwestern Saudi city of Abha earlier this month on a series of blasphemy charges, according to Human Rights Watch, which viewed the trial documents.

The charges included insulting the “Divine Self” and the Prophet Mohammed, mocking the Quran and spreading atheism.

Fayadh had originally been handed a lesser sentence of four years in prison and 800 lashes on the charge of having inappropriate relations with members of the opposite sex.

The court had dismissed a prosecution request for a death sentence on the apostasy charge, citing Fayadh’s declared “repentance” and testimony that indicated hostility between Fayadh and the complainant, HRW said.

But the prosecutor appealed the ruling, according to HRW. In mid-November a new judge dismissed the earlier decision, saying Fayadh’s repentance was not enough to avoid a death sentence for apostasy, citing verses from the defendant’s poetry.

Fayadh was initially arrested in 2013 after a personal disagreement with a man at a coffee shop in the town of Abha in relation to his poetry, according to HRW and writers’ association PEN International.

The man reportedly complained to the ultraconservative kingdom’s religious police, accusing Fayadh of insulting Islam in his book of poems and insulting the Saudi state….

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Filed Under: Apostasy, blasphemy, free speech, Saudi Arabia, Sharia Tagged With: Ashraf Fayadh


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Comments

  1. Gea says

    Nov 29, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    this must be written all over mainstream media. Barack Hussein Obama should be removed from power as he bows to the despots of Saudi Arabia, whose countries is the main financier of terrorism ,which the BIG Muslim Brother in the White house also finances…

    As Meca is symbol of ALL Islam, it is clearly that Islam does not belong to a civilized world and that ALL Muslim immigration should be suspended indefinitely and the mosquers shut down and thsoe who are open soldiers for Allah should be shipped to Saudis.

    • Pig Jizya says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Here is an ex-Muslim woman who tells it like it is!

  2. Donovan Nuera says

    Nov 29, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    The MSM will not cover it. There will be no coverage of any protest directed towards the new Saudi chairman of the Human Rights Commission. No English or Literature professor at any American University will say a peep about it in class. No Poet Laureates will speak in his behalf.

    I wish someone would ask Hillary Clinton, the self-appointed “Champion of Women”, the following question: “As you know, Madam Secretary, that many of the GOP hopefuls have been asked questions about foreign affairs and that you tout your long expertise; in that context, can you tell us where “Asia Bibi” is?”

    I would pay good money to see the expression on her confused face…..(I hope to God that GOP candidates and journalists would take a look at the comments section once and a while for helpful hints…and to bring up the surreal barbarity of islam that gets ignored)

    • Semeru says

      Nov 29, 2015 at 10:10 pm

      Donovan Nuera says The MSM will not cover it

      This article is and pasted from CNN and is like most articles on this site taken from MSM, fact is most of the MSM where reporting this several days before Spencer put it up here

      Google Ashraf Fayadh,

      • Jay Boo says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 1:07 am

        Semeru
        Yes, the article (source) is from CNN.
        Great detective work.
        Especially since Robert clearly states that and gives credit to the author and CNN source.

        It is not pasted from CNN though.
        Hardly
        CNN in typical MSM fashion says
        “Saudi Arabia has faced increasing criticism for the punishments handed down by its judicial system, including beheadings, crucifixions and floggings” … and more

        The CNN version says the problem is ” the Saudi judicial system”
        Do you see where I am going with this, Semeru? CNN (mis-reporting) implies that this is mainly a political and judicial misunderstanding by fundamentalists who are acting of their own accord and are fully independent of making rulings based on their personal whims in regard to Islam.

        Jihad Watch reports on what the irresponsible MSM deliberately leave out.

      • Jay Boo says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 1:09 am

        My Googled reference

        http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/29/middleeast/saudi-arabia-poet-ashraf-fayadh-death-sentence/index.html

  3. 13pr108 says

    Nov 29, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Poetry is what keeps me alive. Poetry sustains me. It really is deepest darkest kaljug. Sentencing poets to death is evil. I didn’t know this kind of evil existed on Earth.

    • John Johness says

      Nov 29, 2015 at 9:48 pm

      Lets just make sure we understand the issue. I’d say he is sentenced to death – not because of poetry – because of what he said in the poem.
      Public poetry reading are very common in the Land of the Sand. They are attended by King and Princes. Also as Arabic is the language of Allah, it is taken very seriously. For this reason it is watched by the Hiya (religious police) very closely. It is not unheard of the Hiya to mount the stage and beat the poets in front of the audience.

    • Jay Boo says

      Nov 29, 2015 at 9:53 pm

      I feel sorry for Muslims.
      Muhammad had a breastfeeding mother stabbed to death for writing a poem against Muhammad.

      Imagine the hidden shame that Muslims must secretly feel when they learn of Muhammad’s sordid life of disgrace.
      Oh the shame!
      Let’s all write PBUH after Muhammad’s name and attempt to hide his disgrace.

  4. Daniel Triplett says

    Nov 29, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    Can we stop pretending the Saudis are our friends? As they’re spending all of their oil wealth to build Wahhabi Madrassas in the Western World?

    They are selfish “friends” who agree to things that benefit them only.

    As long as the non-Muslim nuke states have the “loaded guns” and the Muslims don’t, we get to call the shots.

    A US Ballistic Missile Sub in the Persian Gulf could put nuclear ordnance on target within 3-4 minutes.

    But our nuke weapon advantage won’t last forever. Our enemy (Islam) has been focused for 1400 years to defeat us in the War in progress. We will win or lose. We easily have the capacity to win this. All we need is the will.

  5. Trace says

    Nov 29, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    How many here recall the treatment and boycotts of South Africa due to apartheid, which pales in comparison to the human rights atrocities carried out daily by our Saudi “friends?” Brigitte Gabriel recently commented that the Kingdom employs 6 full time executioner/amputeers. She said they are nothing more than ISIS running a nation. But the Carters, Bushes, Clintons and now Obamas are dripping in their bloody money.

  6. E Ward says

    Nov 29, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    I’m sure our ” friendship” with the Saudi’s is based on money matters. I can’t wait until we dump this crappy “ally” of ours. Their belief system is an offense to humankind.

  7. Gary says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 12:23 am

    Mocking the Quran…..

    Doesn’t the Quran do a good enough job on its own?

    The book, (And it’s anything but “Holy”), is full of lies.

    Written by a liar.

    Followed by liars.

    Is it any wonder….

    It’s authorized by the Father of All Lies.

    Don’t worry Satan, you’ll get yours soon!

    Piss Off!

  8. More Ham Ed says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 12:43 am

    I’m a poet, and b’cause I live in Saudi Arabia, I no longer know it. Sorry.

  9. [FA] says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 1:00 am

    I don’t know why anyone is concerned. C.A.I.R., Reza Aslan, Obama, Bush , and a million more useless idiots are rushing to board a plane(not to mention the overwhelming majority of peace loving Muslims). Once safely in Saudi Arabia they will explain this gross misinterpretation of Islam away. Surely that billion plus peace loving Muslims I hear so much about can make this stop? By morning this man will be eating ginger snaps while riding a unicorn.

    • duh_swami says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 5:39 am

      How do you know there are billions of ‘peace loving’ Mahoundians?
      Do they believe Allah is God? Do they believe Quran and the examples of Mahound?…To then, ‘peace in our time ,means ‘peace on our terms’…There is nothing ‘peaceful about that…

  10. Rick Spencer says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 3:23 am

    There is little or no difference between ISLAMIC STATE and SAUDI ARABIA.

    The latter, though, are the biggest hypocrites! (Think of the debauched ‘so-called’ Royal Family – about 40,000 strong – with their ostentatious and hedonistic lifestyle.)

  11. Godfrey Johnson says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 4:21 am

    I believe you meant “inbreds” and “IQs.” If so, then you’re mistaken. Faith is not the province of the sub-normal intellect. Rather, it stems from ignorance. Ignorance of science, history, geography, and philosophy.

    Saudi Arabia is a good case in point. That nation is one of the most backward on earth in terms of Weltanschauung yet it produced the 9/11 terrorists, all of whom were of high intellect and highly educated.

    • Vlad says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 5:14 am

      “Saudi Arabia is a good case in point. That nation is one of the most backward on earth in terms of Weltanschauung yet it produced the 9/11 terrorists, all of whom were of high intellect and highly educated.”
      And with a low IQ. Which highly intelligent person would do what they did on the strength of “faith” in a Godless God and a madman?

      • Godfrey Johnson says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 7:36 am

        Haven’t you noticed? Faith-driven men (not many women for some reason) have been committing the most appalling acts for countless millennia. It happens when rational thinking cannot override brainwashing from an early age.

        Have you looked at the intellectual and educational makeup of the 9/11 hijackers? http://nationalinterest.org/blog/bruce-hoffman/todays-highly-educated-terrorists-4080

        BTW, don’t know what you mean by “a Godless God.” Is that akin to a dogless dog or a sheepless sheep?

      • Shane says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 10:55 am

        This is the religion that most liberals defend in a knee-jerk fashion. Our public schools and colleges are whitewashing the inherent violence and misogyny in Islam and our Democrat politicians are saying that ISIS is not Islamic and most terrorists are evil White men. We need to elect a Republican, or ISIS is going to strike hard many times in our country.

      • bernie says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 9:14 pm

        A couple of quotes(which I do not necessarily completely agree with):

        “Osama bin Laden shows how wealth and education can be compatible with murderous religious fanaticism. Indeed, the technical proficiency of many Islamist terrorists shows that such extremism can be compatible with a *scientific* education. Thus, there is no cultural subtitute of the desactalization of faith itself.”

        “The problem with religious moderation and liberalism is that, while moderates and liberals do no fly planes into buildings, or organize their lives around apocalyptic prophecy, they still support the idea that we should respect revelation: that is, the ides that the Creator of the Universe authored one or more of our Holy Books. This gives leverage for extremists to demand respect for their own interpretations of scripture.”

      • bernie says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 9:17 pm

        (A typo: I meant “desacralization” in the quote.)

    • john spielman says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 9:20 am

      it all depends upon which faith drives these people. a “radical ” Christ follower would be like Jesus the Christ while muslims try to emulate their “perfect man”, that vile evil filthy muhammed-pbuh*. The people who follow Jesus behave like Him ( ie Mother Theresa, Franklin Graham, and millions of others). People who act violently toward others in the “name of Christ” are disobeying Him and will face the Wrath of Christ/ God ( see Rev chapter 19)

      pbuh* -PERPETUAL BANISHMENT UNTO HELL!

      • john spielman says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 10:04 am

        oops sorry that was directed to Godfrey

    • Dr. Divinity says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 12:19 pm

      It is way past time for the world to put so much pressure on all these backward stupid countries to come out of their barbsric ways

    • mahghan says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 3:19 pm

      How do you define “high intellect”? A robot can be programmed to perform any set of “high intellect” tasks but i would not call a robot “intelligent”. Thus a Muslim jihadi can be programmed to become an engineer but his lack of intelligence shows up when he actually believes all that nonsense he reads in the Qur’an.

      Intelligence is about independent critical thinking that is distinct from what one reads in textbooks aided by a lecturer in a classroom. Point is: NO truly intelligent person could ever be convinced by the nonsense one finds in the Qur’an. No intelligent person could ever believe that some man goes into a cave and comes out raving that he had a chat with some Supreme Being.

      • Godfrey Johnson says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 4:24 pm

        “NO truly intelligent person could ever be convinced by the nonsense one finds in the Qur’an. No intelligent person could ever believe that some man goes into a cave and comes out raving that he had a chat with some Supreme Being.”

        Don’t be too sure of that. After all, some of the most intelligent people who ever lived have believed in the Koran, the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, and any other Iron Age scribblings you care to mention. And all without a shred of supporting evidence.

        As I said earlier: faith owes little to intelligence, and much to inculcation from childhood on.

  12. Jura says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 4:35 am

    This person is a genuine asylum seeker.

  13. daniel sebold says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 5:20 am

    Abha is by far the nicest city in Saudi Arabia. The city is up in the mountains about ninety kilometers from the Red Sea. The city has ancient mud houses along a stream lined with vegetable gardens. The weather is always cool. It is a great place to write poetry, but not a good place to share it with anyone.

    I live down by the Red Sea in Jazan Province which is right next to Yemen. Jazan City is a beautiful city with lots of friendly Yemeni people, some of whom are refugees–lajy’een of the current Saudi/Houthi War. The men wear very colorful clothing.

    Back in 2008 I traveled in Yemen where I photographed lots of men and women in very colorful clothing. The men wear a decorative dagger called a kanjar on their belts, as they do in Jazan Province in Saudi Arabia.

    Once i finish working here I will head to Bangkok which is my favorite city in the world, lots of great spicy food and there is music pouring out onto the streets all night long, the Chao Phrao River rising and falling to the melodies. I go to Saudi Arabia to write my poetry, and to Bangkok to sing it out out on the street with my guitar, singing some Lorca Verde type of melancholic melody, rasqaeyando the strings all night long. Sometimes you have to have madness to create beauty.

  14. duh_swami says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 5:47 am

    Mahound had poets murdered who insulted him…The example set for all time…

  15. citycat says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 7:10 am

    Poetry- rebellious mind at work.
    The poet guy should have known the outcome and gone undercover, subway walls etc

  16. Angemon says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 7:32 am

    Fayadh was initially arrested in 2013 after a personal disagreement with a man at a coffee shop in the town of Abha in relation to his poetry, according to HRW and writers’ association PEN International.

    The man reportedly complained to the ultraconservative kingdom’s religious police, accusing Fayadh of insulting Islam in his book of poems and insulting the Saudi state….

    Blasphemy laws as a mean to solve personal disputes. Bravo, Saudi Arabia. Bra-f***ing-vo.

  17. Mike says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 11:43 am

    No death sentences yet (although a Christian was jailed) but the PC Communists are settling personal disputes similarly in the U.S.: firings, blacklisting, fake rapes, dumbing down universities, EPA strong-arming, etc, etc. Liberalism is a religion and no mistake (complete with forced tithing). Theirs is the “Godless god” mentioned above. This is why they are in bed with the Muslim hordes.

  18. steve says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    This is a tragedy if they kill this poet and yet it is still no surprise given the inhumanity of islamists. Further, it is in keeping with this brainwashed cult that brainwashes its people with its bipolar and sociopathic verses of contradiction and turns them into unquestioning controlled clones whose only joy is 1001 ways to do calligraphy, pray to allah in self-induce hypnosis with heavy dosing of peer pressure based on all the tricks of the cult trade including isolation, fear of going against the cult, and hatred aimed at anyone questioning them, and, i almost forgot, violence towards the kaffir. I hope some of the fringers in the progressive o’dumber crowd are beginning to get that if that agenda goes forward it will eventually be taking them closer to censoring and destroying all their cultural beliefs and behaviors including those of music, writing, and art not to mention dressing, eating, and even thought.

  19. ? says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    I’m just surprised this is even reported…

  20. Matthieu Baudin says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    Are the Saudis going to post his beheading on the internet, in Islamic State style, to demonstrate to the civilised people of the world just how uncompromisingly Islamic they really are?

  21. Carolyne says

    Dec 1, 2015 at 10:31 am

    There once was a pedo named “Big Mo'”
    Who told me I must go,
    And forever follo’
    This monster named Allah.
    But I gave him a big fat no.

    OK, Saudi Arabia. How do you like that?

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