Who is terrorist? Organizations like al Kaida, ISIS are related to Islamic movement. There have been terrorists in Christian tradition as well. Some times, extreme Hindu organizations like Sanatan are also called terrorist. But now Saudi Arabia law lists atheism as terrorism. This is obviously to victimize all dissenters. Anyone who does not follow Islamic tradition or thought according to the whims and fancy of Saudi Arab rulers can be dubbed as atheist and victimized.
Saudi Arabia is no doubt the most intolerant of all countries and for people from other culture living there is not easy since you have no democratic freedom to do anything that you are used to .. celebrate your festivities, watch films etc etc...I am not surprised that instead of opening up, they are going backwards in their thinking ! The only consolation is that Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest crime rates in the world because of its Sharia law !
King Abdullah, the Monarch feared that his monarchy is at stake seeing the growing number of Saudis traveling to take part in the civil war in Syria. He has seen that these Saudis returned with new techniques of warfare about overthrowing Monarchy.
I feel that atheism is in no way connected with the issue.. It's the fear of losing Monarchy of Saudi rulers.
Who is terrorist? Organizations like al Kaida, ISIS are related to Islamic movement. There have been terrorists in Christian tradition as well. Some times, extreme Hindu organizations like Sanatan are also called terrorist. But now Saudi Arabia law lists atheism as terrorism. This is obviously to victimize all dissenters. Anyone who does not follow Islamic tradition or thought according to the whims and fancy of Saudi Arab rulers can be dubbed as atheist and victimized.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-declares-all-atheists-are-terrorists-in-new-law-to-crack-down-on-political-dissidents-9228389.html
The problem is that other muslim countries look up to Saudi Arabia for guidance although they function independently of each other. A few of the Countries where he rigid Sharia law is practiced and adhered to such a step would only make things unpleasant for citizens especially outsiders who work there.There are people from all parts of Asia and a large number of Westerners too working the middle East and Saudi Arabia, who would start thinking twice if all their freedoms are curtailed one by one.
Saudi monarchs are aware that they are forcibly occupying the seats of power and are thus panicky al the time. They will go to any absurdities to protect themselves and link anything with each other to neutrallse emerging threarts. It should not be generalised as the views of a particular religion.
Human rights watch said Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of new laws which defined Atheists as Terrorists. King Abdullah clamped down on all forms of Political dissent and protests that may cause harm the Public order.
Observing the increasing number of Saudis going to Syria to participate in the Civil war. these new laws are introduced to arrest the movement of the Saudis to Syria
The Royal decree criminalizes participation in any kind of hostilities outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Of course, behind these decrees there lies the fear Saudi Monarch being dethroned.
suni51 wrote:I think their laws will be limited to their own country and as long their citizen do not mind them we have nothing to worry. Besides human right organisation is keeping a watch on them.
Of course, every one is bond by the law of his own land. We as Indians need not be worried for ourselves unless we visit Saudi Arabia. But we are also concerned with people outside India and their human rights.
Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:Trust the Arabs to say something like that! People who think that all other religions are lowly before theirs own and the followers of those other religion do not deserve to live, are obviously the ones who will make such ridiculous claims!
The problem also lies with those who bow down before them because of their economic strength. One can understand the levels to which one has to stoop while visiting or living in Saudi Arabia - all ladies regardless of religion will have to wear long loose dress that covers completely and a head scarf and absolutely no other religious symbol can enter the country etc etc..But people , Indian and even Western people put up with all that because of the money ..
As the Terrorism metastasizes across the world, Saudi Arabia that made even the well developed countries too kneel down for its oil, had gone above and beyond address the true threat to global stability.That's why Saudi Arabia declared Atheists as terrorists like ISIS as Terrorists. King Abdullah had clamped down on all forms of political dissent and protests that could harm public order.
The recent migration of Saudi groups to take part in Syria made Saudi Monarchs shiver with fear of losing their Monarchy.
@gkajmani