(Image source: The Herald Sun)
BY ALLEX CONLEY
What was supposed to be a peaceful Islamic Hajj pilgrimage turned violent for one man. Iraqi-born Australian Mansor Almaribe is facing a sentence of one year in prison and 500 lashes for blasphemy.
Almaribe is a Shiite Muslim and was found guilty of cursing two companions of the prophet Mohammed.
His sentence sounds harsh, but CNN says this is not uncommon in Saudi Arabia.
But Almaribe’s health is in jeopardy and his sentence could mean death. His family worries he will not survive the lashings. Nine News Australia has their story.
ABC reports some are outraged by the sentence and say it’s brutality.
“Human rights advocates say it amounts to torture, which breaches Saudi Arabia's own official position on cruel and degrading punishment.”
Almaribe’s friend who was on the Hajj pilgrimage with him says it’s because of the differing beliefs of two denominations of Islam, Shiites and Sunnis. Almaribe happened to be in a majority Sunni Kingdom when he was arrested. He tells The Age.
“...a radical had reported Mr Almaribe to police after recognising him as Shiite from the green turban he wore. ‘He was just praying and reading the Koran to himself in an area known to be frequented by Shiites.’”
The Herald Sun reports the Australian ambassador had been in touch with Saudi authorities and would "urgently pursue" avenues for leniency.
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