Dr M: Proper check on Saudi journalist should have been done first

Here is the news in full :

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the authorities should have done a proper study of the Saudi Arabian journalist’s case before deporting him.

“If it may cause the loss of life, we have to see the justification,” he said.

Mohammad Najeeb A. Kashgari, 23, also known as Hamza Kashgari, was deported on Sunday after being detained three days earlier on arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Air-port en route to New Zealand.

He was fleeing his home country where he is facing persecution for blasphemy over his tweets.

Human rights groups such as Amensty International had called on Malaysia not to repatriate Kashgari as he may get the death sentence.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hisham­muddin Hussein said the authorities did not receive any interim court order to halt the deportation.

“If the court had issued such an order, I would have abided by it,” he said.

Hishammuddin said the move to repatriate Kashgari was consistent with the Government’s stand.

“I have repeatedly said we do not want Malaysia to be viewed as a safe transit haven for those wanted in their country of origin or those involved in transnational crime.”

Meanwhile, Kashgari’s lawyers are going to file a motion of contempt against the Home Minister for disobeying the court order.

They had initially intended to file a writ of habeas corpus at the High Court today when the injunction expired.

Yesterday Al Jazeera reported continuously that Malaysia had deported the Saudi Blogger for insulting the Prophet. The focus was on Malaysia - we had deported someone for insulting the Prophet. In the world's eyes it made Malaysia look like a Taliban country. Thank you Minister of Home Affairs Hishamuddin Hussein for this round of embarrasment.

I agree with Dr Mahathir that the Home Ministry should have paid more attention to this matter. It is not everyday that we get requests to deport "Prophet insulting Bloggers" back to a country whose criminal prosecution and punishment are still at the basic jahiliyah level. The Minister of Home Affairs should know his job better.

The Minister's comments saying "If the court had issued such an order, I would have abided by it" is proof enough that the deportation was not something that had to be done absolutely. We did not have to deport the guy, especially since we all know (even you and me know) that in that country he could get his head chopped off.

The lawyers for the Saudi boy are saying that the Minister is telling a tall tale. Now they want to sue the Minister for contempt of Court.

"Meanwhile, Kashgari’s lawyers are going to file a motion of contempt against the Home Minister for disobeying the court order."

A commenter in my previous Blog has posted what he says are the allegedly insulting words Tweeted by the Saudi boy. Here they are :

"On your birthday, I will say that I have loved the rebel in you, that you've always been a source of inspiration to me, and that I do not like the halos of divinity around you. I shall not pray for you," Hamza Kashgari wrote in one tweet.

"On your birthday, I find you wherever I turn. I will say that I have loved aspects of you, hated others, and could not understand many more," he wrote in a second.

"On your birthday, I shall not bow to you. I shall not kiss your hand. Rather, I shall shake it as equals do, and smile at you as you smile at me. I shall speak to you as a friend, no more," he concluded in a third.

Folks, are these insulting words? Which part of it is insulting?

But I have a more simple question. The Prophet has been dead for over 1400 years now. So how can anyone know if the Prophet would feel insulted at any of these words? Has anyone developed some super natural method of communicating directly with the Prophet to find out if he feels insulted or not ? (I ask this because the contention is that it was 'insulting to the Prophet').

The last time someone in this country claimed to be able to communicate directly with the Prophet, they called him a nut. I am referring to Ashaari of the Al Arqam.

Lets do some comparisons. I am just a regular person. I write a Blog and people say all sorts of insulting things to me. I rarely (in fact never) feel any of the intended insult. If I reply logically to some of those insults, I may even be labelled a racist. I am also very dismissive of irrelevant views because I dont have time - sorry, say what you want but if you are not relevant, then you are not relevant lah. So I dont feel the insults. Thats just me. Your regular, everyday Blogger.

Now lets compare me with the Prophet of Islam. Are we required to believe that the Prophet of Islam would feel insulted at every little thing and person? We are told in the Quran that the Prophet was imbued with a good character. He was a great guy. And the Quran also tells the Prophet to ignore any insults that he may hear. Here are two verses :

[33:48] Do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites, disregard their insults, and put your trust in GOD; GOD suffices as an advocate.

[3:186] You will certainly be tested, through your money and your lives, and you will hear from those who received the scripture, and from the idol worshipers, a lot of insult. If you steadfastly persevere and lead a righteous life, this will prove the strength of your faith.

Disregard the insults. Place your trust in God. Lead your own righteous life. Dont worry about others.

In light of this I think it is insulting to all Muslims to suggest that the Prophet of Islam could be so easily insulted all the time, even by the slightest Tweet? I think the Prophet was a much bigger person than what these folks make him out to be. These puny people with their puny minds are the real insult.