This is a cross-posting. It was initially published at Global Voices!
The following is an abbreviated translation from some of the Arabic-language blogsphere.
It’s not only the English language bloggers from Middle East who are continuously trying to bridge the cultural gaps, but Arabic language bloggers are facing similar tough battle at home, within the Arabic blogsphere itself.
Muslim moderates are criticizing some of the taboos of their system. One of them simply pushed away the unworthy books he was reading, another challenged his authorities to treat Christians alike Muslims treated in the West, but worst is to get kicked out of your school for practicing your freedom of speech.
From Egypt…
Kareem Amer was kicked out from his school because he spoke freely on his opinion about Islam. Last year he was detained for some time in reference of what he published online, and what he argues on forums that discuss critical issues about Islam, especially of what is going on Egypt.
Few days ago he wrote that he broke Al Azhar chains. He said:
?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ?? ? ??? ???????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????? ? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ??? !!
Should I be sad because I reclaimed my freedom?? Would a slave get depressed when he succeeds in extracting his freedom forcibly from the hands of his masters?? Would one cry if he wins against persecution, slavery and mind enchaining?? I forcibly extracted it from there hands when they were haggling for it, they expected that I denounce and controvert from my free fearless personal opinions. During the investigation, they waited the rebirth of a second character, but how impossible that is from what they waited for!!
In Kuwait…
Jandeef is upset by the way his country's authorities treat non-Muslims. He quotes clips from local newspapers which present the reactions to authority refusal to grant a piece of land for the Catholic Church. Jandeef then writes:
??? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ? ????? ?????????? "??? ????? ??? ???" ? ??? ??????? ? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ???????? ??????? ???????.
We claim that our religion is a one that calls for forgiveness, toleration and equinoctial and respecting others, and we repeat like parrots "you have your religion and I have mine", this is what we do, if a request to build a mosque in America or Europe get rejected, you will notice that we would be first to disgrace their claims of religion freedom and respecting others religion.
In Saudi Arabia…
Fuad Al Farhan reviews some of the new novels, written my Saudi females. He notices something that all these novels share and he writes:
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There is something bothering me about this. We have the same problem over here.
The truth. Which God is right? Is there more than one God? Is there only one God?
If there is only one God, why are we fighting?
If there are two Gods. We should try to find out which God is the right one because if I am wrong I have to go to the right God.
Obviously the Christian God is the same as the Islamic God.
Obviously the extreemes of both claim their God as the right one.
They are fighting for the same reason. They both claim their God to be the right one but their God is the same God.
This is why I am a non-believer.
This gives me no reason to fight. I don't have a God to fight over. My conscience is clear. I can now accept everyone as to who they are.
The use of God is the main problem in this world.
If you believe, that is great. If you don't, don't tell anyone because you might be killed by the extreemists from both sides.
religion is for god and the
land is for evry one.
Thank you raymond
Good on 'ya, Haitham, thanks for the review. Fight the good fight of words.
Some Christian bloggers are clamouring for this. Are there any of the Arabic bloggers speaking out against the death penalty for the Afghani convert?
Oh yah… I've come across few, kinzi. I'll try to translate some of what they are saying in the coming few days.
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