Why or why not?

Discuss.

Kareem should be freed!

Since the reason for imprisonment was wrong, he should be freed.

Article 19 of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights":

In today's secular world, there is no room for one or another religion forcing its views on everybody. And, everybody these days has access to new ideas and so should be allowed to abandon those ideas that they come to view as incorrect. The internet is going to make all religious views available to everybody - and everybody should have the write to pick and choose which views fit them the best. Therefore, if Kareem can be jailed in Egypt for expressing his religious views, who can be jailed where for the same thing? Is it going to come down to any religious group can jail anybody who says anything contrary to dogma? If so, we are doomed, because all religions cannot be correct, so either all or some are, but, the ones most difficult to believe will be the ones that fight the hardest to stay alive.

With freedom comes tolerance. If we let everybody believe what they want, we will find that all relgions have someone who will believe them, and many who will believe none. But, that should be the right of each and every individual - to choose.

It strikes me as sadly ironic that on the one hand Suzanne Mubarak is pushing to build new libraries all over Egypt and on the other they imprison a man for expressing his opinions. Why try to open minds if you only intend to imprison them? I don't know what we can do to influence his situation, but I believe in free speech, even if I don't like the statements made.

Free Kareem!

Viori

Viori, that was an excellent statement. Thanks a lot for your support.

[quote="Esra'a"]Why or why not?

Discuss.[/quote]

I am sorry, it looked like my messages got in the wrong order. If you look below, you will find another message from me that discusses, as you requested.

I accept that a person has a nationality, but does the Internet itself? Just because a computer is located in one spot or another should not, imo, limit the opinions and thoughts of the operator. Would it make a difference if cyberspace were declared a separate entity?

Viori

Definitely not.

Why don't we Muslims make an effort to understand why he is in this position?

There is no Qu'ranic basis when it comes to punishment for apostasy, why can't Muslims understand that?

?I may not agree with what you say, sir, but I would fight to the death to uphold your right to say it.?

Voltaire (* 21. November 1694 in Paris; ? 30. Mai 1778 in Paris)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

I hope that my response is respectful to everyone.

Yes, Kareem should stay imprisoned, absolutely. It is only just for him to be punished. He is lucky that the extremists didn't give him the death sentence :S

I cannot believe how unabashed he is to publicly insult our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). It is truly an act of apostasy. He publicly communicated his thought as a Muslim, though what he was stating is something anti-Muslim - to reject the teachings of our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)... It is something that could lead to a fitnah ... something that is threatening for the whole Muslim community.. as such, these acts are punishable for the sake of the greater good.

To explain what I mean by "the greater good" ... (even though this is not practiced in all Muslim communities) why does Islam punish thieves by cutting an arm..? It is to set an example to the people - sacrificing an arm for the sake of abolishing theft in the community.

I am a proud Muslim (hence the name ), but I am not an extremist (~definitely not).. but I pray every day for Allah to strengthen my faith.
I believe that everyone has the right of freedom of speech... but to a certain extent.
I can't believe that some of you think he should be released... think carefully about what he said and the consequences it has.

On one of his articles, he mentions the acts of tyranny against Christians that happened in Egypt. I am totally against what these so called Muslims did. What's worse is that they did it in the name of Islam. They all have to be punished. They had no right to do that. I think they were all jahala (ignorant people).

One final note… although I don't agree with Mr. El Shaheed's comment about the shaved beards, but I liked the following: "The teachings of Islam are timeless and when put earnestly and faithfully into practice a person will be successful in their lives." I agree to his statement. We didn't live at the times of Omar bin Al Khattab or Khalid bin Al Waleed.. Kareem can’t accuse them of tyranny (estaqfur Allah).. he didn’t live at those times to make such an ignorant proclamation. He doesn’t understand the significance of those times. I am no Muslim scholar, so I won’t tamper on this topic any further. But I think what was done at those times was a necessity to spread the faith of Islam, to make the world aware of what Allah sent us and the teachings of our Prohpet (PBUH)..

Islam completes us as humans. If you truly follow the teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet (PBUH), I guarantee you 100% that you are content with your life and people respect you for the person you are.