Saudi King Pardons Rape Victim

Woman Sentenced To 200 Lashes Spared Further Punishment Amid International Outcry

(CBS/AP)  A gang-rape victim who was sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes for being alone with a man not related to her was pardoned by the Saudi king after the case sparked rare criticism from the United States, the kingdom's top ally.

Outrage over the sentence prompted unusually strong comments from President Bush, who said that if the same thing had happened to one of his daughters, he would be "angry" at a government that didn't protect the victim. The White House called the sentence "outrageous."

In past weeks, Saudi officials have bristled at the criticism of what they consider an internal affair - but also appeared wary of hurting their image in the United States.

Bush's National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the White House thinks the Saudi king "he made the right decision" by pardoning the woman.

With the pardon, King Abdullah appeared to be aiming at relieving the pressure from the United States without being seen to criticize Saudi Arabia's conservative legal system, a stronghold of powerful clerics adhering to the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam.

Justice Minister Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Sheik said the pardon reported by Saudi media Monday does not mean the king doubted the country's judges, but that he was acting in the "interests of the people."

"The king always looks into alleviating the suffering of the citizens when he becomes sure that these verdicts will leave psychological effects on the convicted people, though he is convinced and sure that the verdicts were fair," al-Sheik said, according to the Al-Jazirah newspaper.

"Certainly, we're pleased that that action occurred," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. "I think everyone was rather astonished by the initial verdict and I hope this puts this case to rest. We're glad that this particular case has been dealt with and that the king has taken the actions that he has."

The victim - known only as the "Girl of Qatif" after her hometown in eastern Saudi Arabia - was in a car with a man in 2006 when they were attacked and raped by seven men.

She was initially sentenced in November 2006 to several months in prison and 90 lashes for being alone in a car with a man with whom she was neither related nor married, a violation of the kingdom's strict segregation of the sexes.

The woman, who was 19 at the time of the rape, has said she met the man to retrieve a picture of herself from him because she had recently married.

The seven men who were convicted of raping both the girl and the man were initially sentenced to jail terms from 10 months to five years. Their sentences were increased to between two and nine years after the appeal.

The case sparked increased international outcry recently after the court more than doubled the sentence last month to 200 lashes and six months prison in response to her appeal. Joining the U.S. criticism, Canada called the ruling barbaric.

Earlier this month, Mr. Bush expressed his anger over the sentencing.

"My first thoughts were these," Mr. Bush said. "What happens if this happens to my daughter? How would I react? And I would have been - I'd of been very emotional, of course. I'd have been angry at those who committed the crime. And I'd be angry at a state that didn't support the victim."

The controversy erupted as the United States was trying to ensure Saudi Arabia's participation in the November Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, Md. - which the kingdom attended.

In the U.S. ahead of the conference, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal was visibly irritated when he was asked about the case by journalists. He said that the storm being raised over it was outrageous, but also promised the sentence would be reviewed.

Last month, the Ministry of Justice stood by the verdict, saying that "charges were proven" against the woman for having been in a car with a man who was not her relative.

The ministry implied the victim's sentence was increased because she spoke out to the press. "For whoever has an objection on verdicts issued, the system allows an appeal without resorting to the media," the ministry said in a statement last month.

Al-Sheik said Abdullah was the only official who could issue a pardon, and he did so despite the government's view that the Saudi legal system was "honest" and "fair."

"The king's order consolidates and confirms what is known about the Islamic courts," al-Sheik told Al-Jazirah. "Efficient judges look into different cases and issue their just verdicts and those convicted have the right to appeal."

Attempts to reach the woman's lawyer by telephone went unanswered Monday.

[marcach]

Here is a perfect example why no country should be run by a religion. Especially one which does not treat all it''s devotees equally. Christianity, Islam, Judaism are all patriarchial and have subjugated the role of women from partners to servants. It''s too bad the King (May Allah bless him) apparently pardoned that poor girl and her friend only because of US pressure. Hopefully this will set a precedent for social changes and advance the equality of woman in
Arabia and other Islamic societies. This is the 21st century. It amazes me that anyone can still live in a world that mirrors customs and laws outdated two thousand years. Unfortunately, we in the US have our own outdated laws and customs. We are too lenient regarding some social practices, and too harsh on others.

[elieelhadj]

In 2002, fire struck a girls%u2019 school in Mecca. Without their black cover, the girls were prevented by the police from escaping. Fourteen girls died. Is this Islamic?
In answer, the Prophet%u2019s life with His first wife Khadija will be contrasted with women%u2019s Sharia rights (Islamic Law).
Khadija was a rich businesswoman. She employed Muhammad, proposed marrying him when He was 25. She was 40 and twice a widow. Until her death 25 years later, they remained monogamous. He turned to her for advice. She was Islam%u2019s first convert.
The Quran, however, subordinates women to men [2:228, 4:34, and 18:46), decrees that one male-witness in court equals two women (2:282), makes male%u2019s inheritance twice the female%u2019s (4:11), allows a man four wives simultaneously (4:3) and to divorce them without giving reason.
Shiis allow temporary marriages, or Mut%u2019a; the woman gets paid for her services. Sunnis sanction Misyar; the couple live apart. The man visits the %u201Cwife%u201D at her parents%u2019 home.
To men, four wives, divorce at will, Misyar or Mut%u2019a translate to unlimited polygamy and sanctioned adultery.
The Prophet allegedly said: Most of those in hell are women and: People who entrust their affairs to a woman will fail.
Harmonizing Sharia with the Prophet%u2019s ways is critical.
In June 2006, Turkey appointed thirty-five scholars to study removing Prophetic sayings that encourage violence against women.
http://journals.aol.com/eeh100/daring-opinion/

[toolmangler-2009]

The Christian Arabs also practise the honour killings, i canj give examples
Posted by Abdoul_Pasha at 03:44 PM : Dec 18, 2007



That is because they do not understand what "Christianity" is really about.
I can show you examples also.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by erasmus6 at 02:05 PM : Dec 18, 2007



yep!!!

[abdoul_pasha]

The Christian Arabs also practise the honour killings, i canj give examples

[erasmus6]

"...but we in the West are to stupid to wake up.." posted by Gaye5


Is Australia also known as the WEST?

[neoconrcrazy]

"President Bush expressed anger at the sentence earlier this month, saying he wondered how he would react if it had been one of his daughters.

But he said he had not made his views known directly to the Saudi king, a U.S. ally. "



*** president takes saudi rod in both hands - does that feel goods, my King, he asks?

[infidel_us]

Ah, the peaceful, benevolent cult of islam strikes again. Arrest the victim because she was in the company of a man not related to her. Guess she just had that one a comin''!

[gaye5]

They still at this stage, have to placate the west as their strangle hold is still not quite at its peak yet, give it another few years and they will have enough of their armies behind enemy lines in the form of fast multiplying families, to be able to push for Sharia law and the destruction of any who are against Islam..
They have openly said this and the Quran says that they are to do this but we in the West are to stupid to wake up..

[gaye5]

They still at this stage, have to placate the west as their strangle hold is still not quite at its peak yet, give it another few years and they will have enough of their armies behind enemy lines in the form of fast multiplying families, to be able to push for Sharia law and the destruction of any who are against Islam..
They have openly said this and the Quran says that they are to do this but we in the West are to stupid to wake up..