Hearing date set for man accused of insulting Islam

A man who is accused of insulting the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during a sermon that he recently delivered, will stand trial before the judges on June 19, 2019, it was announced yesterday. Capital Governorate Chief Prosecutor Abdullah Al Thawadi yesterday confirmed in a statement that the suspect will remain behind bars until he’s referred to the Minor Criminal Court. Mr Al Thawadi stated that the prosecution has interrogated the suspect and evidences proved that he committed the crime, which he is accused of. The man is accused of delivering a religious sermon that included insults to the companions of the Prophet at a worship place and in front of a big crowd.

The Chief Prosecutor added: “Freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the law, provided that it does not affect religion and its symbols, and does not incite division and sectarianism.” The man has been identified as Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Mahdi, as mentioned in a press statement issued by Interior Ministry on June 10, 2019. In the statement, Hoora Police Station Head said the man was summoned and arrested for “delivering a sermon that included defaming contents of the Caliphs of the early years of Islam known as ‘the Rashidun.’ “The sermon wasn’t considerate to the importance of those individuals to Muslims of different sects.

Al Madhi violated article 310/2 of the Penal Code law by publicly defaming through his sermon an essential symbol to a sect. “His act also promoted sedition and extremism in a way that threatens civil peace and social fabric,” the official was quoted in the statement. If convicted, the suspect would be facing a punishment for a period not exceeding one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding BD100, as per the Kingdom’s Penal Code.