State and Religion


Malaysia is a place I'd love to visit - but the country has been in the news this weekend for all the wrong reasons.

Malaysian authorities have apparently deported a young Saudi journalist back to Saudi Arabia - where is accused of insulting the prophet Muhammad on Twitter - would you believe.

Now it beggars belief that this should be a matter for the police and other Malaysian  authorities - in what is supposed to be a modern secular country.

Where there is a clear separation between religion - and the state.

The young man - Hamza Kashgari - was detained last week on his arrival in Malaysia over some rather innocuous remarks about what the teachings of prophet Muhammad.

But this led to various men in beards making death threats against Kashgari - and calling for him to face criminal charges for blasphemy - over his remarks.

What I don't follow is why he would be arrested by the Malaysian police - apart from the fact that religious fundamentalists in both countries - would presumably like to make an example of the young man.

Blasphemy or apostasy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia - which seems incredible in this day and age.

Yet there are religious fanatics all over the world - who have no compunction about using religion to control other people's lives - whether you're a believer or not.

Or even just asking a few innocent questions - as in Hamza Kashgari's case.

Now that seems like a very backward and highly unattractive society to me - so I don't think I'll be visiting anytime soon.

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