A few days ago, a Saudi Arabian security agency — with a verified checkmark — tweeted a promotional video that listed feminism, homosexuality, and atheism as examples of extremism that must be opposed at all costs.
يعد #التطرف بكافة أشكاله آفة مجتمعية من المهم الحذر والتحذير منها. فهناك من يتشدد لمسائل بعينها وهناك من يتحلل من تعاليم الدين وقيم المجتمع وفريق ثالث يغالي في ولائه للجهة التي ينتمي إليها على حساب الدين والوطن. كل هذه الأشكال تطرف مرفوض نتكامل لمكافحته.#السعودية#نتكامل_للوطن pic.twitter.com/mPIiYm224Q
— الإدارة العامة لمكافحة التطرف برئاسة أمن الدولة (@ce_pss) November 8, 2019
Reuters notes that this flies in the face of how Saudi Arabia would like to present itself to the world, as a tolerant, foreigner-friendly place. Though you didn’t need this video to tell you the Islamic theocracy is anything but welcoming to outsiders.
Under Saudi law, supporting groups classified as extremist organizations can lead to imprisonment.
Homosexuality and atheism have long been illegal and punishable by death in the absolute monarchy, where public protests and political parties are banned and the media is tightly controlled.
When a government punishes critical thinking or private actions that hurt nobody, it’s a nation you should avoid at all costs. Certainly, they don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.
(Thanks to Faisal for the translation help and Som for the link)
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."