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In his poetry, Muhammad Ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami praised the Arab Spring revolts that have toppled dictators in four Arab countries since early last year and criticized Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
Qatar has backed uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world.
'Miscarriage of justice'
Ajami, 36, who was not present in court, has been jailed in solitary confinement for almost a year. He has not seen his family during that time, according to his lawyer Nagib al-Naimi.
"This is a tremendous miscarriage of justice," Naimi told Reuters after the verdict, adding that he would appeal.
Ajami faced charges of "inciting the overthrow of the ruling regime", which carries the death penalty. Qatar's penal code provides sentences of five years in prison for criticising the country's ruler.
Qatar, a close U.S. ally and major oil and gas producer in the Gulf with a large American military base, has escaped the unrest engulfing other parts of the Arab world.
Doha finances and hosts the pan-Arab satellite TV network al-Jazeera, which has assiduously covered the Arab revolts, though it gave scant coverage to an uprising last year in neighboring Bahrain - ruled by a related Gulf Arab monarchy.
Self-censorship
The Qatari government has backed the armed revolt in Syria, a successful NATO-backed armed uprising in Libya, and street protests that ousted rulers in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen.
Wissam Nassar / Pool via Reuters, file
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani speaks during a visit to the Islamic University in Gaza City on Oct. 23.
But freedom of expression is tightly controlled in the small Gulf state, with self-censorship prevalent among national newspapers and other media outlets. Qatar has no organized political opposition.
In October, Human Rights Watch criticized what it said was a double standard on freedom of expression in Qatar and urged the emir not to approve a draft media law penalising criticism of the Gulf emirate and its neighbors.
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What this write has done is a very courageous thing.Many have paid a tremendous price for their principals, sometimes the ultimate price.When King Henry VIII demanded Sir Thomas Becket agree the King have absolute power over country, Church and state, he refused and was silent. It was said his silence was heard throughout the Kingdom.Sometimes principals demand the most of us. No doubt this will inspire more to the cause of freedom. It is the price to be paid.
"In his poetry, Muhammad Ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami praised the Arab Spring revolts that have toppled dictators in four Arab countries since early last year and criticized Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani."
These seventh century one-way traffic despotic, highly corrupt, bigoted Sunni rulers like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait will not last long in 21st century.
This Qatari ruler has been a backstabbing Sunni bigot. On one side, he supporting Sunni Syrian rebles. He also gave $400 million aid to Hamas in Gaza.
What do these tin pot rulers, propped up by the US and allies imagine themselves to be?
But for Iraqi wars, Saddam would have finished one by one these rulers.
When the world is changing fast, things will be changing fast in those nations too.
Time has come for US and allies to dump these ungrateful and backstabbing fountainheads of Sunni Islamic hatered and killings.
They will be liabilities in all senses in the long run.
This is a muslim society in Qatar. He's lucky he still has his head attached. By their standards, they probably think they've been merciful.
Bull crap - and what replaces the "toppled dictators", I'll tell you, people that are even more brutal, power-mad, or insane - and WE always pay the price for such stupidity. People high on dope and singing kumbaya or just plain morons swallow "Arab Spring" movements; just as they lauded the 1917 Revolution in Russia. The world is changing - but all that IS changing is a repetition of the same old crap that got us into all our wars since the Civil War. We need all the puppets on our side we can get - Sunni or Martian!
Windancersong ~
Thomas Becket lived during Henry II's time. You may be thinking of Thomas Wosley or Sir Thomas More.
Given the Arab penchant for grandiose speech making and declarations of intent they can never hope to bring to pass, it is no wonder they are stamping down so hard on freedom of expression. They are the only ones anymore that takes themselves seriously when it comes to words in print or stated. Just like when Sennacherib stood outside the walls of Jerusalem and laid out his case as to why Israel could never repel his invasion, and the strict command was "Do not answer him". Arabs have always had issues with words. If they ever learn to just shut up and do it, then I think we're all in trouble.
Most often while they're blabbing away the opposition is making preparations, wherein the opposition wins the day.
Regardless who rule the country, Emir, King or President, there is no freedom of speech, freedom of religion in any country that establish Islam the official religion. Islam= no freedom. It doesn't end here. Muslim countries and his supporters who are in majority in United Nations , want to limit the freedom of speech in the internet, I hope President Obama stay firm to protect our rights and our Constitution.
You know, it's interesting, RedViriginia, but isn't "freedom of speech" an American invention? The whole reason for the Pilgrims and all that was that they were seeking freeoms not afforded them in England and elsewhere, and were being persecuted for violating prohibitions of speech, belief and religious practice. Routinely nations around the world have subjugated, persecuted, even executed people who spoke out against the powers that be. As such, our US Constitution is unique in the world. Others have adopted various portions of it, even if they violate it's tenets from time to time.
A Middle East nation that is closely aligned with the West and stifles freedom of speech is surly on the Arab Spring hit list. The facebook generation is lining up in Barahat Nasem square, waiting to overthrow the government. Then, the Islamists in waiting will take over. It plays over and over again in the Middle East.
Lar: Ultimately, among Muslim nations there are no allies, but only enemies!
They change their faces, labels, singings, weepings, chest beatings and so on when they need help!
After their jobs are done, then start hate, kill and Jihad Islamic rituals!
Jonathan, you mean, just like their fickle prophet Muhammad, the world's only apostle who frothed at the mouth when receiving his "divine revelations".
Muhammad was always changing his mind. He made a solemn treaty with the Meccans and later unilaterally broke his promise. Furthermore, Muhammad ordered his followers to face Jerusalem when praying and later changed his mind giving preference to Mecca. Again, when he was weak and helpless in Mecca Muhammad said "there is no compulsion in religion", but when he became powerful in Medina he back flipped and said the opposite: "Kill the unbelievers".
In fact Muhammad never stopped changing his mind to suit his circumstances, and there are endless examples of abrogation. He reminds me of Groucho Marx, who onced joked: "These are my principles, and if you don't like them, I have others"
Sir Vival, get this: Muhammad claimed to have a vision of the angel Gabriel in a cave. He was alone, and there were no witnesses. Only Muhammad's word. Sound like someone else? It should.
Joseph Smith of the Mormons claimed to have seen the angel Moroni in the woods. He was alone, and there were no witnesses.
Jesus Christ did not live in obscurity, but his birth, life, death and resurrection were witnessed by anywhere from a few to thousands and thousands. Islam claims that the name of Jesus should be honored, but then they deny everything Jesus ever said. Mormonism uses the rider "As long as it's correctly translated" to opt out of responsibility with submitting their doctrines to the Bible.
Levi777, And the Bible was created by man, the New Testsments by the Roman Church? AS the religious aspects goes, there really isn't much difference.
Religion was created to control the masses (slaves & poor) through ignorance & fear and rewards in some type of after-life for being good & faithful property. People are evolving through knowledge & reality. now only if could teach comon-sense we may have a chance as a species.
Levi777, correct, On one occasion Muhammad was told by his bewildered young wife Aiesha, "You see things that I don't see". This statement is probably more detrimental to Muhammad's credibility than having no witnesses at all because the witness does not corroborate Muhammad's claim that Gabriel was present in the room. Note also, Aiesha was not an old woman with deteriorating eyesight, she was a young girl, and as all parents know, children are extremely observant.
"Fraudsters, fraudsters everywhere, and not a brain to think". The thieving, lying, murderous, and self-gratifying Muhammad was the archetypal charlatan who killed his critics for fear of being exposed. Christ was different, and being unique means Jesus Christ has no equal. And unlike Muhammad, Christ did not steal nor did he pocket one-fifth of the stolen goods plundered by Muhammad from Arab trade caravans.
(sorry, off topic)
CNJ MOM-Thomas Becket lived during Henry II's time. You may be thinking of Thomas Wosley or Sir Thomas More
Thanks for the correction. I must be MOORE(pun intended) careful after being awake for two days, when referring to historically similar names. One would think I lost my head as poor Sir Thomas later did!
DKJ..the Bible was written by man, who put pen to paper, but the inspiriation came from God. It's easy to dismiss the Bible without looking past the cover, yet how do you explain statements made in 550 B.C. have their fulfillment today? This isn't some misrendering of words, but are clear. For example, the rebirth of the nation of Israel, on May 15th, 1948. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was written about centuries before they actually happened.
As for religion controlling the masses, yes, I'll agree with you there. In the theocracy of ancient Israel, Judaism was the religion...the law...that people were required to adhere to...not so much by men, but by God. And as we are told by the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, now He has written His law not on tablets of stone, but on the flesh of human hearts, so that we who know Him from repentance and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, born unto a living, eternal hope, we do not conform to religion, but follow Him in our lives, and conform to relationship with Him. This defies religion, and supercedes the rules and doctrines of men. And those who have no relationship with Him, and hold to the view that religion is merely a tool to control the masses, well, they make statements about that of which they have no knowledge. Does that mean I, a chemical production technoligist should tell you how to plan your retirement? If you want me to take your word on the Bible, God, Church, and all, then I counsel you, in exchange, to sell all you have and give it to the poor. Then you'll have eternal treasure in heaven. Then follow Him.
Sir Vival, on topic and agreed with. This is NewsVINE. Vines go everywhere and branch out.
The religion of peace, love and tolerance speaks again!
It has turned into religion of hatred and killings all over the world.
Followers of Islamic cult, especially Sunni Saudi inspired Islamic radicals and militants (al-Qaida, Salaffi, Wahhabi, MB, Taliban and other label ones), are fast marching backwards to their seventh century desert tribal days.
They are indulging in rapings, lootings, killings and genocides of non-Muslims (Darfur, S. Sudan, Nigeria and spreading like wild fire in many regions and Muslims (Libya, Mali, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other places).
In Egypt, Sunni Saudi backed Salaffi and MB are opening chapters. Just watch the fate of Christians, women and Israel as the time goes by.
Even in Syria, if Assad is overthrown by Sunni Islamic religious Nazis like al-Qaida, MB, the conditions of Christians will be unbearable just like Iraq.
It is a shame that Hezbollah is not doing much to help Assad by attacking these Sunni Arab League rulers!
Are the Hezbollah members dead?
You forgot "freedom!"
When atheists in America condemn Christianity using any number of false and twisted, hate-filled lies, America stands by the atheists' freedom of speech.
When anyone dares to tell the truth about the hate and revenge religion of Islam, they are immediately condemned.
Satan is at work and on overtime.
Life in prison for writing a poem. Sharia Law - coming soon to a kindergarten near you.
Basil
Sharia Law is already here thanks to Liberal Judges . Wake up Americans. Our Constitution is in danger with Muslims pushing Sharia Law in American Courts.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/11/sharias_encroachment_into_american_courts.html
Man, I hope they don't try and turn these poems into a screen play for a movie(straight to video)
It is popular to consider Islam and other cultures "just as good as us" and criticism of those who are disgusted by the behavior of muslims. Want to know what freedom of speech is? Here is the model of whose culture is best. For words on a page you are held in solitary confinement for a year, and sentenced to life in prison. For words on a page. Islam is the enemy of freedom.
Cartoons on Mohammed or a video on Mohammed bring hate and killer marches and terrorist actions all over the world.
The way Islamic intolerance and violence is rampaging all over the world, Allah's prediction that it will be end of Islam soon may become true!
Islam is becoming enemy of everything sane and not freedom alone.
this guy got life in prision for a pooem and ann coultier is still out and free for the boooks that she's written? ugh, whatever this guy wrote must have been pretty absurd if it got punished that severly and mrs. coutlier got jsut a slap on the wrist
Yep, guess we can just let the following authors of Anti-Captialism books slide by:
And we can forget about the Liberal Racists:
Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is a puke. Go suck on it. I hope your people hang you by your toes one day.
And we have a president who would turn muslim in a moment! Be afraid people, very afraid!!
READ HIS OWN BOOK!!! The man is one of the biggest hypocrits and liars there ever was!!
Be very glad you don't live in Qatar.
No, YOU be afraid. I got vaccinated against xenophobic, bigoted paranoia while living overseas yeaaars ago...
When looking at the rights of all human beings on a the planet, it should not matter which culture one belongs to.To imprison a sentient being to prison walls for speaking what they think, should not be an accepted practice tolerated by the human species. Irrespective of what culture, religion, ethnics or other beliefs systems.
It is counter intuitive to the progress of enlightenment of such a species expected to be above that of the rest of the animal kingdom. Which operates on the principals of survival of the the fittest and most powerful. Or what else is the benefit of the gifts of reasoning,compassion, understanding, self consciousness, capacity of mercy and innate born expectation of fairness for? To give in to the baseness of our darker side has already shown the tragic results. If we are to ever overcome such consequences, it will be by rising above them towards everyone and valuing all life equally.
This part of the world has no tradition of civil rights or due process for anybody. The court system is just an arm of oppression. Tyranny by dictatorship is the order of the day. If you are very wealthy, you can possibly buy your way out of a jam.
Unfortunately British invented some of them. US and allies are keeping them alive by saving these tin pot dictators. Of course, they use big words when required.
Humans have gone to moon.
Only oil companies, auto companies and their lobbyists can still keep a junk resource like oil as the most critical resource!
To weaken our No. 1 enemies use substitutes for oil right away.
To spite the past years of war in the middle east, the Arabs have yet to wake the sleeping Tiger in the west, but it's beginning to stir. Once awakened it will be hungry and irritable. It would be advisable for the Arabs to tone down their rhetoric.
Muslims only respect strength. As long as the West remains silent Muslims will continue with their one-sided belligerent diatribe --- "We are victims and demand sharia law in the West", or, "We demand religious tolerance in Western lands (but won't allow churches or bibles in Saudi Arabia)", and their most pathetic display of crocodile tears: "But don't you see, Islam is a religion of peace and we are all children of the book" (but naturally we won't let you in Mecca), so on.
But there is some good news. As I have stated before it is heartening to know that in the past decade or so, the West has finally begun to realise what the Arab-speaking Christians have known for 14 centuries: Islam is a religion of death and destruction, and has a heart of darkness.
This is probably not a bad idea really. Every place the Arab Spring or overthrow of a government, dictator or whatever they call themselves in the Middle-East has created turmoil and a mess. Better to leave these people living in the Stone Age like they like it.
Agreed. The so-called Arab Spring is really an Islamist Spring. Better to keep the lid on these reptiles.
So jailing one poet to support your views is good?
If our country is pro freedom of speech and human rights people than we should not trade with any country who violates human rights.This is not acceptable to me nor should it be to anybody who cherishes human rights and freedoms.
definitely worse than being jailed for a year because of an anti-islam film.
Muhammad had a little lamb, it's fleece was white as snow,
then he joined Jihad and the blood began to flow,
Muhammad screamed to Allah but ended up in a RPG hollar,
No virgins were to be found within the hounds of hell,
Another Martyr who won't see tomorrar.
There once was a man named muhammad
Who preferred his foes to be quite dead
When all was said and done
He was sure to have fun
With a seven year old in his bed
IXLR8 Hey good one! We must have been writing at the same time. I did not see yours until I posted mine. Good work! Funny!
Disturbed minds think alike :)
i can't understand why the united states as anything to do with these animals. they must think they are relay something. i think they are nothing but stupid Arab scum.
Gawd, he's one ugly mofo! And that getup? Who the hell dresses him in the morning? Stevie Wonder? How can anyone expect to be taken seriously looking like that?
Look at the bigoted Sunni ungrateful and backstabbing beastly Qatai ruler's dress!
Returning evil for evil requires the doing of evil;
And evildoing stinks to Allah in high Heaven ;)
America should stay out of this. We have enough BS on our plate.
shame on you Qatar!
Once one becomes a Muslim, most don't know what is shame! How can any follow person like Mohammed?
And these are the same countries that we just supposedly liberated? Another Obama, UN and Hillary blunder.
Helping the Muslim brotherhood take over the world seems to be the only thing on Obama's agenda lately.
I vote to keep these towel headed idiot's the hell out of this country for the very same reason.
Arab spring my A$$, this is all about allowing these Islamic lunatics the freedom to take over the world while we sit on our collective asses under false pretenses of Democracy. This is nothing more than a religious cult taking over the world and the UN is actually helping them do it, UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
I find it interesting that the United Nations has people believing that there is nothing that they should say or do in these kinds of situations.
You take the religious pill, then you die by the religious pill. So stop your crying.
Even the so called good islamic guys are a55wipes. People, it's allabout the money, OIL money. As long as we let these 9th century despots have some control we will support them.
All governments are the same, they want to stay in power and stay wealthy, some do it a little more nice than others. The US at least lets us put down and laugh at the clowns in our gov so we are fortunate for that.
It's not going to change so get over it.
These Arab dopes still use their right hand to wipe their a$$. Mesopotamia the first civilization? I think not. I don't think they've ever reached the plateau of civilization.