African blogger jailed for being “insulting”
Keeping in mind that Robert Mugabe, our extremely thin-skinned President, also experiences severe narcissistic injuries in response to even the slightest criticism (don’t even think about waving at his cavalcade!), my thoughts are with Abdel Kareem Soliman today.
He had used his web log to criticise the country’s top Islamic institution, al-Azhar university and President Hosni Mubarak, whom he called a dictator.
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During the five-minute court session the judge said Soliman was guilty and would serve three years for insulting Islam and inciting sedition, and one year for insulting Mr Mubarak. (via the BBC)
What has Egypt achieved by doing this? People like me who had never even read the Kareem Amer blog now have the entrenched view that Mr Mubarak is …. well, how can I phrase this… dictatorial! I’m sorry if that leaves you feeling insulted Mr Mubarak, but if the cap fits, wear it!
The person who set up the FreeKareem.org blog gets the simple point that dictators seem to struggle to cope with:
“I was offended by some of Kareem’s blog writings. But I cannot support his imprisonment merely because he said a few things that insult my identity. Freedom of expression and open exchange of ideas must be respected.”
There are other sites to visit: Release Abdelkareem Soliman, and Free Kareem!. And there’s a petition you can sign here.
This is what Abdel Kareem Soliman had to say about his experiences last year (via Egyptian Person):
“It is very terrible that freedom would be taken from a human being because of an opinion or belief of his, but… it is very beautiful that his detention would be an encouragement for him to stick by his principles, and a reason for him to defy and hold on to what he thinks is right, even if he violates the traditions and beliefs of the majority of the people within the boundaries of his society …”
