Egypt: Man who tore Bible to go on trial for blasphemy

by Katherine Weber, The Christian PostPosted: Friday, September 28, 2012, 9:13 (BST)










In a rare exercise of its anti-blasphemy laws, an Egyptian court has
decided to put on trial a radical Muslim blogger who tore pages of the
Bible while attending protests at the US Embassy in Cairo two weeks ago.
Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah, known as Abu Islam, was shown in two videos
posted online desecrating the Christian Bible. In one video, Abdullah
stood before a large crowd and ripped up the holy book. In the second
video, he told the camera, "Next time I will urinate on it."
Abdullah, who is part owner of the ultra-conservative Islamic
television channel Al Uma, told The Associated Press that he was not
practising "contempt for religion" when tearing up the Bible.
"I had always wished to go to court to explain to the world that
there is no such thing as the Bible. Every church in the West has its
own holy book," Abdullah told the AP.
The news agency reports that practising "contempt" for a so-called
heavenly religion, which includes Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, is
punishable by up to five years in prison in Egypt, according to the
country's anti-blasphemy laws, although courts hold the majority of
their religious contempt cases for those speaking out against Islam.
In a related incident, Coptic Christian Saber Eyead Zaki was arrested
for posting the controversial "Innocence of Muslims" video on social
networking sites.
According to NBC News, Zaki was taken from his home without a warrant
and is being held in an undisclosed location. He also stands trial for
"contempt for religion", a the independent US-made film is deemed
offensive to Islam.
These two trials are related to the current unrest in the Middle
East, parts of Asia, and parts of Europe over "Innocence of Muslims",
which reportedly mocks the prophet Muhammad.
The film's promotion two weeks ago caused massive protests throughout
the world, resulting in the reported death of at least 51 people,
including US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other
Americans.
These simultaneous trials bring up questions of free speech and the
right to protest in Egypt, two human rights issues that were considered
to be great gains as a result of the Arab Spring uprisings and ousting
of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Judging by these two recent cases, free speech continues to be
limited in Egypt. Those critical of the country's human rights policies
are questioning if the upcoming constitution, due to take effect by the
end of 2012, will safeguard free speech and protest rights.
Critics have also questioned, assuming Egypt's new constitution does
protect free speech rights, how the "contempt for religion" charge will
hold up.
In a recent speech to the United Nations, Egyptian President Mohammed
Morsi said that the North African country does welcome freedom of
speech, to an extent.
"Egypt respects freedom of expression. One that is not used to incite
hatred against anyone. One that is not directed toward one specific
religion or culture. A freedom of expression that tackles extremism and
violence. Not the freedom of expression that deepens ignorance and
disregards others," Morsi said at the UN General Assembly in New York
City on Wednesday.
Abdullah's trial begins 30 September. His son and a journalist who
interviewed him shortly after he tore the Bible have also been referred
to trial, an Egyptian official told the AP, although the dates of their
individual trials have yet to be set.





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