23 year old Hamza Kashgari posted a few tweets during Awal Muharram last week, about the Prophet Muhammad. His tweet, specifically, says "I have loved things about you and I have hated things about you and there is a lot I don't understand about you. I will not pray for you," Instantly, we have the usual assholes and zealots calling for his execution, which is the reason he fled Saudi Arabia to find sactuary elsewhere.
Turns out, he ended up in Malaysia, where he was detained by immigration. According to the local news, Malaysia is now in talking to the Saudis to see if he will be extradited.
We can debate the issues of blasphemy laws, let alone the death sentence from offending tweets. However, Malaysian authorities should understand that sending Hamza back to Saudi Arabia means certain death for him, whether by the state or the frantic mob sure to gather. If there is anything the authorities can do, it is to appeal to their better senses not to send this young man to his death.
If there is any way possible we can help Hamza Kashgari, please act. We must not let Malaysian Immigration return him to Saudi Arabia. Contact the UNHCR in Malaysia at the very least. We don't have much time.
UNHCR Representative
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
570, Jalan Bukit Petaling
50460 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 2141 1322
Fax: 603 2141 1780
Email:
mlslu@unhcr.orghttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16977903http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2012/02/10/in-defence-hamza-kashgari/