'#JeSuisRaif' tweets the world to save blogger from 950 lashes
A blogger is facing 50 lashes on Friday, for allegedly insulting Islam throgh electronic media. He has been punished with 10 years of imprisonment as well.
The world is outraged at something that is untouched by India this time. Unlike the Charlie Hebdo or the Maggi row that everyone in the country participated in, it's the life of a blogger that's being ripped and whipped for the past one year.
His name is Raif Badawi. Who is Raif Badawi?
His crime?
He was charged with insulting Islam through his writings on his website and other electronic media.
The first set of 50 lashes was given to Raif on Jan 09, 2015. The next sets, which were planned to be given in some weeks of time, have been postponed. Though no particular reasons have been given, reports cite Raif's ill health after the first 50 lashes as the reason for delay in the flogging.
But the Saudi kings have made it clear this would happen. So does this tweet from Andrew Stroehlein:
International agenices for peacekeeping like Amnesty International have been trying to gather voices for the blogger against the Saudi kings. He is expected to be flogged for the second time on Friday June 12, 2015.
This protest has gathered attention from eastern coast of US, UK, Europe and some from Nepal. Massive protests are being held in Austria as well, but there are no signs of unrest from the Saudi region, where the lawmakers are defying human rights and fundamental laws for freedom of expression.
Though the world stands by him, Raif's wife, who has been granted a refugee status in Canada, fears he won't be able to sustain the next 50 lashes.
Well, how does it matter to us?
As humans, we need to understand and fight for each others' freedom and rights. Else, imagine the world where your blogging will invite flogging at every click you make and every post you write or share!
What can you do?
Create a strong voice against the pirates of expression and let the world be a free one...where there's a word for a word, not a flog for a blog! Amnesty also suggests ways you could help Raif through.
Tweet with #freeRaif#RaifBadawi#JeSuisRaif
