Hamza Kashgari

Hamsa Kashgari (Arabic حمزة كاشغري; Complete name: Hamza Kashgari Mohamad Najeeb; * 1989) is a Saudi writer and former columnist for the daily newspaper Al- Bilad. He became known worldwide after he was extradited for three -Islam tweets on February 12, 2012 from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia.

Political commitment

Kashgari has publicly supported the Arab Spring called and was, according to the Malaysian NGO Lawyers for Liberty is active in a group in support of the Arab Spring.

As hundreds of people on January 29, 2011 in Jeddah protested against the poor infrastructure, with eleven people died, Kashgari criticized the reaction of the authorities in his public writing for Al - Bilad. He became known worldwide after it was delivered on 12 February 2012 due to three critical of Islam tweets from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia. Kashgari had set out 4 February 2012 on the occasion of Mawlid an-Nabi, a Muslim holiday in honor of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, its position on the religious founders in three tweets.

Entries states:

• "On your birthday, I will say that I loved the revolutionary in you, who always inspired me. But I do not like the halo. I do not worship you. "
• " On your birthday I see you wherever I look. I loved certain aspects of yourself, and many do not understand other hated. "
• " On your birthday, I will not bow before you and not kiss your hand. Instead, I'll shake it as equals do it. And I'll smile at you as you smile at me. I will speak to you as a friend and not different. "

Kaschgaris fictional conversation with the Prophet provoked a wave of protest. After a high-level committee Islamic cleric had declared him the " infidels", Kashgari fled to Malaysia, where he, on his arrival at the airport in Kuala Lumpur - was arrested and extradited without trial at his home - allegedly due to a warrant issued by Interpol. Despite opposition from human rights organizations and lawyers on the Malaysian authorities came a postponement of removal before to Saudi Arabia to be obviously complacent.

Interpol's role in the arrest of Kashgari was criticized by the British NGO Fair Trials International ( FTI) as an abuse of their powers. Interpol have to respect the human right to freedom of expression and to refrain from any involvement in political or religious cases. Interpol, in turn, claims to have issued no warrant. In the case of a so-called " red notice " ( arrest for extradition purposes ) examine the independent Commission for the Control of Interpol 's Files ( CCF) whether the request against the non -interference in political and religious matters contrary.

Hamsa Kashgari now threatens the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. According to Arab News Kashgari is accused by the Saudi judicial authorities of blasphemy. Human Rights Watch believes that he had already been declared because of apostasy ( apostasy ) of Saudi religious authorities guilty and am accused on trial for apostasy.

About the social networks Facebook and Twitter urged thousands of Muslim users of the punishment and the death Kaschgaris.

The Egyptian Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa has taken Hamsa Kashgari towards his critics into custody and called for dialogue on the possibilities offered by social networks.

Amnesty International and Facebook groups are trying to prevent the condemnation Kaschgaris with worldwide public protests and petitions. The European Union condemned his deportation and also urged to take all measures that led to a positive result.