Reactions ranging from dismay to anger seem to be the result of the conviction of a 75-year-old widow for the crime of khulwa that was reported earlier this week. The conviction stands as another example of why Saudi law must be codified.
I do not insist that Saudi law be like American or any other nation’s laws. I do think, though, that it should be rational and clear enough that anyone has a clear idea if he or she is breaking a law. Leaving judgments to the independent wisdom of individual judges does not assure that and results in messes like this.
Khulwa sentence against elderly widow causes uproar
Badea Abu Al-Naja | Arab NewsJEDDAH: The sentencing of a 75-year-old Arab widow to 40 lashes and four months in prison for mingling with two young men, who were reportedly bringing her bread, has sparked fresh criticism of the Kingdom’s judiciary and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
Khamisa Sawadi, a Syrian who was married to a Saudi, was convicted and sentenced last week for meeting men who were not her immediate relatives. The two men, including one who was Sawadi’s late husband’s nephew, were also found guilty and sentenced to prison and lashes.
The woman’s lawyer, Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem, said he plans to appeal the verdict, which also demands Sawadi be deported after serving her prison term. He said his client has not served her sentence yet.
Arab News tried to contact police and the commission officials in Hail, but both refused to give further details about the case.
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March:11:2009 - 10:49
You bet people here are disturbed. Not only is this ridiculous, but it’s a “crime” many of us- and I include myself here- are “guilty” of.
I’d love to see an example from the time of the prophet or even the first 4 caliphs where it someone is “convicted” of “khulwa”. Even if “khula” can be proven to have occured- it is not a “crime”.
The law does need codification- but we must be VERY careful about who gets to do the codifying.
March:11:2009 - 10:49
[...] Originally Posted by Setanta So you agree that women shouldn’t have the freedom to ask for help? Isn’t that very decent of them exempting women of a certain age? And you question the thought process of those who point the finger at islam in its treatment of its own people. Of course she has the right to ask for help.. The Muttawa are self appointed and they are quite unschooled.. This is a miscarriage of justice by idiots who don’t understand what Khulwa is about.. It will be over turned.. Khulwa Sentence Disturbs Saudis | Crossroads Arabia [...]
March:11:2009 - 10:49
I think somebody wanted to get rid of her.
And the courst love to give out lashings anyway, so they would never pass up an opportunity to hand them out.
March:11:2009 - 10:49
[...] Crossroads Arabia says this case drives home the need to codify the Saudi law, which are now based on Islamic Sharia (religious law) and the discretion and interpretation of individual judges. John Burgess adds: The conviction stands as another example of why Saudi law must be codified. I do not insist that Saudi law be like American or any other nation’s laws. I do think, though, that it should be rational and clear enough that anyone has a clear idea if he or she is breaking a law. Leaving judgments to the independent wisdom of individual judges does not assure that and results in messes like this. [...]