Kuwait approves death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad

[mawilson 2,133]

Kuwait’s parliament approved a law that calls for the death penalty for insulting the

Prophet Muhammad, his wives and relatives, in a sign of the growing sway of Islamists

who triumphed in elections this year.

About 40 members of parliament voted in favour of the amendment to the penal code,

while six rejected it, according to state-run news agency KUNA. The proposal will now

be referred to the country’s emir for approval.

The vote is a clear win for the Islamist-majority who rode to victory in elections

in February, sidelining women and liberal members of parliament. Commentators had hoped

that the freshly-elected parliament would push ahead with economic reforms instead of

focusing on social issues.

Analysts say that the success of Islamists was due to their ardent opposition to the

former government and its prime minister, Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah. That government fell

apart amid wide-reaching corruption allegations from the opposition.

Since the Islamists gained power, there have been a number of headline-grabbing

statements by members of parliament, from tying the legal system to sharia law, to

the questioning of churches in the oil-rich state.

Analysts have said such statements represent fringe elements of the Islamist MPs,

rather than the majority.

The blasphemy vote comes after Kuwaiti authorities arrested Hamad Al Naqi, a Kuwaiti

Shi’a, in March, after he allegedly insulted the Prophet and his wife in Twitter

posts. He has denied the charge and says that his account was hacked.

Amnesty International has said parliamentary approval of the law would be “a massive

step backwards” for Kuwait. The first vote happened last month and the second round

now means only the consent of Kuwait’s emir is required for it to become law.

The amendments stipulate that the death penalty applies in two cases: if the offender

insists on the crime and refuses to repent, or if the offender describes themselves

as a new prophet or messenger from God, according to KUNA. For non-Muslims, the jail

sentence would be applied for no more than 10 years.

If the offender declares repentance, they will receive jail terms of no more than

five years or pay a fine that does not exceed 10,000 dinars ($36,000).

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[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I hope they never develop the technology to operate unmanned drone aircraft in the US and decide to enforce their laws against their citizens in our country without a trial by exploding them with a missile. THAT would suck.

[mawilson 2,133]

I hope they never develop the technology to operate unmanned drone aircraft in the US and decide to enforce their laws against their citizens in our country without a trial by exploding them with a missile. THAT would suck.

That would blow.

[Ban Hammer 12,845]

one post removed and admin action taken for tos violation.

[X Factor 1,110]

Very very strange.

[james&olya 1,121]

I hope they never develop the technology to operate unmanned drone aircraft in the US and decide to enforce their laws against their citizens in our country without a trial by exploding them with a missile. THAT would suck.

I hope they are never viciously attacked by a group based in our country necessitating them going to war with this group including having to deal with their treasonous citizens on our territory when we turn a blind eye!