Al Arabiya: Detained: Egyptian Salafi sheikh who said it is ‘halal’ to rape female protesters
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Egypt has issued an arrest warrant on Sunday against the Salafi preacher, who recently said it was “halal” (permissible) to rape female protestors, charging him with the defamation of religion, an Al Arabiya correspondent reported.
Ahmad Mahmoud Abdullah, known as “Abu Islam” owner of the private television channel of “al-Ummah,” sparked further controversy after he attacked women and Christianity.
He is already on trial for tearing up a bible during a protest outside the American embassy in Cairo in September over a short film made in the United States that insulted the Prophet Mohammed.
The attorney general has received several complaints accusing Abu Islam of defaming Christianity through statements he had made to the Tahrir newspaper as well as on his TV channel. The latest probe came after a complaint filed by Coptic Christian activist Nagib Gibrail who accused Abu Islam of insulting Christians on a television show.
The Egyptian preacher has called to promote the segregation between women and men, saying the raping and sexually harassing women protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square is justified and adding that they are “crusaders” who “have no shame, no fear and not even feminism.”
In a recent televised appearance, Abu Islam described Valentine’s Day as an event “for the Christians, a celebration for adultery and prostitution.”
Egyptian law forbids insults against religion, allowing police in the past to arrest Shiite Muslims and Christians for alleged slights against Islam.-www.shfaqna.com/English
Somali election: Hassan Sheikh elected as president
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — Somali MPs meeting in Mogadishu have elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country's new president, in the latest step to end decades of war.
The academic beat President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in a run-off poll by 190 to 79 votes, officials said.
No candidate secured the required two-thirds majority in the first round of voting, conducted by secret ballot.
It is the first time for years that a president has been chosen on Somali soil, a sign of improving security.
However, the al-Qaeda linked group al-Shabab still controls many southern and central parts of the country, and has staged frequent suicide attacks in the capital since it was driven out of Mogadishu last year by African Union troops and pro-government forces.
Despite qualifying for the second round, outgoing Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and moderate Islamist Abdulkadir Osoble then pulled out after coming third and fourth respectively. Eighteen candidates were eliminated at the first hurdle.
Outgoing Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed conceded defeat during a live broadcast on national TV, saying he was "satisfied" with the results of the "just elections".—www.shafaqna.com/English
Source: BBC
Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nemr ‘tortured’ in jail: Family members
SHAFAQNA (Shia international Association) — The family members of prominent detained Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr say he has been badly tortured in jail.
On Sunday, the family members were allowed to visit Sheikh Nemr, who has been on a hunger strike since July 19.
His sister said the detained cleric had turned weaker and that signs of torture were seen on his head.
The family visited him for the second time since his arrest earlier in July. They were allowed to visit him for the first time on July 15.
Sheikh Nemr was attacked, injured and arrested by the security forces of the Al Saud regime while driving from a farm to his house in the Qatif region of Eastern Province on July 8.
On July 13, Saudi security forces in the town of Awamiyah killed an 18-year-old protester during a demonstration held near a police station in support of Sheikh Nemr.
Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah in Eastern Province, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.
However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in Eastern Province.
Similar demonstrations have also been held in the capital, Riyadh, and the holy city of Medina over the past few weeks.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.” —www.shafaqna.com/english
