January 2, 2008

"An apology for what? Apologizing because I said the government is a liar when they accused those guys to be supporting terrorism?"

Asked Fouah al-Farhan, "the first Saudi blogger to be detained by state security. "
The arrest created widespread anxiety among other Saudi bloggers and advocates....

“An incident like this has its effect,” [said Ahmad al-Omran, a blogger and a friend of Mr. Farhan.] “It’s intimidating to think you might be arrested for something on your blog. On the other hand, this means that these voices on the blogosphere are being heard. But it’s really sad that a blogger who is writing about important issues out in the open would get arrested, while there are extremists who call for violence and hate, and the government is not doing much.”

6 comments:

George M. Spencer said...

The following question asks you to find relationships between words. Select the answer choice that best completes the meaning of the sentence.

Human rights is to Saudi Arabia as

(A) Sunlight is to Neptune
(B) Infant is to Herod
(C) Ask is to rejection
(D) Sword is to cervical vertebrae
(E) Cactus is to plant

In the next section, work each problem in your head or in the blank space provided at the right. Then look at the suggested answers and decide which one is best.

Walid has 16 cookies and Sam has 24. How many cookies must Sam give Walid if each are to have the same number?

(A) It is forbidden.
(B) It will be as Allah wills.
(C) Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prime Minister and Commander of the Saudi National Guard, the Chairman of the Supreme Economic Council, President of the High Council for Petroleum and Minerals, President of the King Abdulaziz Centre for National Dialogue, Chairman of the Council of Civil Service, and Head of the Military Service Council His Royal Highness King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz shall decide, Allah willing.
(D) Is this boy Sam a Muslim?
(E) It is not important.

STOP
If your servant has finished this test before prayer time is called, you may leave the country with the permission of a male relative. Do not turn to any other servants for help. You may remain quietly in your walled compound.

Unknown said...

Well put, George.

We actually did have some princely Saudi students who couldn't understand why we would not allow their manservants to take their finals for them.

Anonymous said...

Fouah al-Farhan link is giving me a 404-not working.

sayin

Ann Althouse said...

Link fixed.

Sorry.

goesh said...

One of these days, women over there will be allowed to drive cars then you will all eat your damn words.

Jack Steiner said...

One of these days, women over there will be allowed to drive cars then you will all eat your damn words.

Fat chance of that. The Saudis are not our friends. Without oil they would be treated no differently than Africa or for that matter most third world countries.

It is a backwards, repressive, terrorist sponsoring regime.