Saudi Arabian writer Hamza Kashgari, 23, imprisoned since his arrest for blasphemy in February this year, has publicly apologized in a poem written from prison.
The arrest and extradition to Saudi Arabia of writer Hamza Kashgari caused international outrage, but it was nothing to the fury he caused within the Islamic Kingdom.
Digital Journal reported that following the reaction to Kashgari's series of Twitter posts regarding Prophet Mohammed, deemed blasphemous by devout Islamists, Kashgari fled the Kingdom in fear of his life. He was apprehended and returned to Saudi as he traveled through Kuala Lumpar. Hard line clerics, and even Saudi citizens offended by his posts, demanded his execution for apostasy, in accordance with Sharia law.
Despite Kashgari issuing a lengthy apology he has languished in a Saudi jail since his arrest. According to the
Saudi Gazette Kashgari has now written a poem of apology which has been published by the Arabic newspaper Okaz. It is hoped that the poem may help to turn the tide of opinion which still brays for his execution.
Opinion regarding Kashgari's fate remain divided in the Kingdom. Some have called for the authorities to forgive him, whilst some that have shown open support have in turn been
threatened with the loss of liberty.
What stands out today, and perhaps suggests leniency may be extended, is that the report of Kashgari's poem has been published within a Saudi newspaper.
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