MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

Here’s an update on this story about a journalist from Saudi Arabia who, confused and disillusioned by the prophet Mohammed, decided to tweet about it. Apparently the “Qur’anic Cure” had no effect, but the specter of death by beheading did wonders for the muddled mind. No word, however, on whether or not the god of Islam has decided to forgive the repentant writer. According to the religious leaders in Saudi Arabia, Allah may be “the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”, but only as long as you always keep your head on straight. Otherwise, you might just lose it …

“An apostate Saudi journalist who is believed to be facing execution for insulting Prophet Mohammed … has repented at court and this means reduced sentence.

According to the Arabic language daily Sharq, Hamza Kashgari declared his repentance before the judge at the court in Riyadh.

‘Kashgari declared his repentance and expressed regret for offending the Prophet … this means he will face a light sentence,’ the paper said, citing Kashgari relatives.

The 23-year-old man, who works for Albilad Arabic language daily, fled to Malaysia last month after King Abdullah ordered his arrest on charges of apostasy in an article he wrote on Twitter. A few days later, he was deported to the Kingdom and arrested on arrival.

Speculation mounted after his arrest that Kashgari could be executed following statements by a senior Saudi Muslim cleric that the writer would be sentenced to death for apostasy.

Sheikh Saleh bin Fowzan Al Fowzan, a member of the 7-man supreme committee of scholars in Saudi Arabia, said it has been established in Islam that any one who insults God or the Prophet should be killed.

‘Repenting will not work…any man who insults [Allah] or our Prophet (PBUH) should be killed,’ he said. ‘But we should first verify that this man (Kashgari) did insult Prophet Mohammed in his article on Twitter…if verified, then he must be killed……many scholars and people are now demanding his execution.'” Source – Emirates 24/7.