I got this email from Avaaz.org about a blogger incarcerated without charge in Saudi Arabia. If the idea of I thought you might want to know about this campaign to free a blogger jailed by the government of Saudi Arabia. According to Ben Wikler from Avaaz, Fouad is one of the few bloggers in Saudi who is game enough to write under his own name. His blog’s tagline is: “Searching for freedom, dignity, justice, equality, public participation, and all the rest of the lost Islamic values.” I have never visited Saudi, and don’t particularly plan to, however I do know a number of people who have travelled through the country or lived there and have said that a normal life with commonly accepted social freedoms is impossible. The religious police crack down on un-islamic behaviour and that outside of compound walls life in Saudi is depressing and bleak. Please read Ben’s email and sign this petition to support Fouad and free speech in the world and this region!
Fouad al-Farhan, a cultural critic and father of two with a strong commitment to nonviolence, was jailed on December 11 by Saudi authorities after he questioned the arrest of a group of Saudi civil rights activists. Now, his cause is gaining attention around the world–and the Saudi government is showing some signs that it is bothered by the negative publicity. If enough of us sign this petition and get involved in publicizing his situation, the Saudis are more likely to free him.
Standing up for free speech for Fouad doesn’t just send a message to the Saudis. It also shows governments throughout the region that they can’t suppress speech without the world taking notice. Blogs are an increasingly vibrant place for public debate in the region. Sign the petition to help keep it free!
Free Fouad – Protect Free Speech
I got this email from Avaaz.org about a blogger incarcerated without charge in Saudi Arabia. If the idea of I thought you might want to know about this campaign to free a blogger jailed by the government of Saudi Arabia. According to Ben Wikler from Avaaz, Fouad is one of the few bloggers in Saudi who is game enough to write under his own name. His blog’s tagline is: “Searching for freedom, dignity, justice, equality, public participation, and all the rest of the lost Islamic values.” I have never visited Saudi, and don’t particularly plan to, however I do know a number of people who have travelled through the country or lived there and have said that a normal life with commonly accepted social freedoms is impossible. The religious police crack down on un-islamic behaviour and that outside of compound walls life in Saudi is depressing and bleak. Please read Ben’s email and sign this petition to support Fouad and free speech in the world and this region!
Fouad al-Farhan, a cultural critic and father of two with a strong commitment to nonviolence, was jailed on December 11 by Saudi authorities after he questioned the arrest of a group of Saudi civil rights activists. Now, his cause is gaining attention around the world–and the Saudi government is showing some signs that it is bothered by the negative publicity. If enough of us sign this petition and get involved in publicizing his situation, the Saudis are more likely to free him.
Standing up for free speech for Fouad doesn’t just send a message to the Saudis. It also shows governments throughout the region that they can’t suppress speech without the world taking notice. Blogs are an increasingly vibrant place for public debate in the region. Sign the petition to help keep it free!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_fouad/97.php/?CLICK_TF_TRACK
Thanks!
~ by danavard on January 20, 2008.
Posted in Social Comment, Social Query
Tags: Arabia, culture, Fouad al-Farhan, Free Speech, Human Rights, Middle East, Release Fouad, Saudi, Saudi Arabia