An Australian man has been sentenced to 500 lashes and a year in a Saudi Arabian jail after being convicted of blasphemy, according to officials. The 45-year-old man, identified by family members as Mansor Almaribe of southern Victoria state, was detained in the holy city of Medina last month while making the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj. Family members told Australian media that Saudi officials accused him of insulting the companions of the prophet Muhammad, a violation of Saudi Arabia's blasphemy laws. Australia's ambassador in Saudi Arabia has contacted Saudi authorities to appeal for leniency and consular officials are providing support for the man and his family in Australia. "The Australian government is universally opposed to corporal punishment," the foreign affairs department said. Almaribe was convicted of blasphemy on Tuesday and initially sentenced to two years in jail and 500 lashes. The court later reduced his jail sentence. His son Jamal told The Age newspaper that his father was reading and praying when he was arrested. Mohammed, another of Almaribe's sons, said he feared for his father's well-being. "Five hundred slashes on his back, and he has back problems. I wouldn't think he'd survive 50," he told Australian Broadcasting Corp. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/07/australian-sentenced-lashes-saudi-arabia
The 500 lashes is a reduced sentence, his two year jail term has been reduced. He could of received the death penalty for the offence. He is a lucky, very, very stupid man and as a Muslim he knew the laws, and he must of gone there for this very special occasion to deliberately flout them or had an insanity attack. Respect other cultures whether you agree with their laws or not. The 14year old Australian in Bali who flouted their laws by buying a sleeve of dope has been released after 2 months in jail on the basis that he was addicted. His parents should of got life for taking him there and not supervising him but got a $300,000 TV deal instead. Many Aussies are still on death row in Bali over drugs but don't garner much sympathy here as there are massive signs at the airports warning that strict drug laws apply. Once again it comes down to respect of other cultures.
Another reason they are a bit whacky in their belief of punishment law. Really, he shouldn't have been there if he's going to "blaspheme." Basically, don't go to Muslim countries or countries where you can be caned or punished severely for doing very little; especially those with Sharia law, the harshest I've ever seen.
I really do not understand why people even go to this kind of countries......really what can they offer with such a stupid system?
Serena Traveling to various countries and meeting the locals is a great experience and certainly your views on life, the universe and everything else will change. You just have to respect their culture and learn a few local words like hello, please and thank you. Simple and eye opening. Live and let live.
Not me... I'd have been compassionate if the man wasn't a Muslim.. If that was the case I would have thought that it might be an honest mistake from his side as he might not be aware of what could insult Muhammad or his companions. But seeing he is a muslim and that too a devout one (after all he is on Hajj), so of all people he must have known exactly what to say and do... He and his family should respect the punishment as it's for his own good, it is according to sharia law that can never, and I mean never ever be inhuman or wrong for that matter.. Don't believe me, ask any Muslim.
Absolutely! There are many cities in China where you can get a two 12 year old girls to pleasure you for 8 hours for a mere $100. We just need to be respectful of the local laws, customs, and culture of these places, instead of trying to apply some universal moral code.