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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Saudi Arabia: dozens arrested for plotting to celebrate Christmas




Nothing says tolerance like the arrest of those who dare to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  Our friends in the land of the two Holy places see fit to persecute anyone who deviates from the Islamic norm, yet we still believe the Saudi leaders care about the relationship they have with us.  We send them money and military equipment in the hopes that when push comes to shove they will have our back.  The folly of trusting as an ally someone who persecutes believers of a religion other than Islam should be obvious, but we know the administration refuses to accept that Islamic dogma of the most virulent kind, Wahabbism is what drives and guides the largest Islamic regime outside of Egypt.

From al-Akhbar December 27

Saudi detains dozens for "plotting to celebrate Christmas"

Saudi religious police stormed a house in the Saudi Arabian province of al-Jouf, detaining more than 41 guests for “plotting to celebrate Christmas,” a statement from the police branch released Wednesday night said.

The raid is the latest in a string of religious crackdowns against residents perceived to threaten the country's strict religious code.

The host of the alleged Christmas gathering is reported to be an Asian diplomat whose guests included 41 Christians, as well as two Saudi Arabian and Egyptian Muslims. The host and the two Muslims were said to be “severely intoxicated.”

The guests were said to have been referred to the "respective authorities." It is unclear whether or not they have been released since.

The kingdom, which only recognizes Islamic faith and practice, has in the past banned public Christmas celebrations, but is ambiguous about festivities staged in private quarters.

Obviously they changed their mind in this instance.

Saudi religious police are known to detain residents of the kingdom at whim, citing loose interpretations of Sharia and public statements by hardline religious leaders to justify crackdowns.

Saudi Arabia's head mufti Sheikh Abdel Aziz bin Abdullah had previously condemned “invitations to Christmas or wedding celebrations.”

A member of the Higher Council of Islamic scholars in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Mohammed al-Othaimin recently prohibited sending holiday wishes to "heretics" on Christmas or other religious Christian holidays.

Non-Muslims are heretics.  Remember this the next time someone tells you Islam is a religion of peace.

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