Woman gets jail term .....

wow, with god being all big and almighty as he is I would have never thought he would need defending from insignificant humans.

The 'evidence' in this case seems paper thin though, seriously a bunch of cleaning ladies used to doing as they are told if they want to keep their jobs are not going to lie on the order of their boss???

"Explaining the seven-year imprisonment verdict, the court said that it was handed down after taking into consideration the gravity of the woman’s deed."

Translation: throwing a koran is twice as serious than murder.

I'd love to see Qatar suceed, but you know every time a story like this gets out it's like the country is kicking itself in the balls, just like the dubai 'kissing' stories. wouldn't a "this woman threw a koran, but we educated her, made her pay a fine then sent her on her way" story look better? A shame since it shadows every development Qatar has made.

Xena every time you go to rest rooms and giving them tip

I just could not understand the people doing this even they know that some Muslims are extremist and they still doing this it means they are doing intentionally, intentionally they are playing with the emotions of those people (Muslims extremist) so what you called those people who are playing with the emotions and mentally torturing the Muslims extremist it means those people are what words for them to use .

Red thunder I agree, death to everyone!! Lets rid the planet of humans! Well the last one will have to commit suicide but we can work with that...

this is so surprising..is this how strict it is in Qatar? have u got dress codes there or curfew in the streets too?

if sarcasam, then apologies.

DEATH TO ANY TRIES THAT AGAIN,NO TRAIL NO JAIL, NO DEPORT

Entebbe, Uganda -- A Ugandan court has sent a Muslim couple to jail on charges of insulting the Christian religion by allegedly having sex in a church in Entebbe.

The prosecution alleges that Abbasi Kigongo and Aisha Namazzi were found having sex near the altar of Kigungu Miracle Centre Church in Uganda's capital on May 14.

The charge sheet says that "the duo willfully decided to have sex in the church with intentions of insulting a religion. That is unlawful." The charge sheet was obtained from the Entebbe magistrate's office Tuesday.

The pair is scheduled to reappear in court June 22.

The prosecution alleges that a churchgoer near the scene heard strange loud noises in the church, investigated the situation, and found the couple having sex.

An official at the magistrate's office said if found guilty, the couple could be subject to the Ugandan penal code, which says that "insulting a religion attracts a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment."

http://www.edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/06/15/uganda.sex.church/index.html?hpt=T2

Xena, the only clean, non stinky bathrooms are in some of the 5 star hotels, and by far not in all of them. The bathroom at the pool at the Intercon is dismal.There.and in other hotels, I have not seen any attendants waiting to be tipped.

Mind you, maybe if they gave me a mask to ward off the foul smelling odours and rubber galoshes to avoid ruining my shoes in the water puddles (I HOPE it is just water!!), I might give them a tip.

since when? my last travel was in March

in restrooms around Doha, that the cleaners stand around waiting to be tipped, or put bottles down for tips...

I have no problem doing this if the place is sparkly clean....

Hang on, one is supposed to pay for using the toilets? I mean seriously? They are filthy and stinky, and those girls do nothing but chat and swish some filth around, so what would I be paying for?

besides, if these cleaning women, had an ounce of humanity in them... they wouldn't have taken this so far, which means justice would not have been neccessary..

I still say she stiffed them in the ladies toilets, so they are just getting back at her...

Haha keep acting God or trying to anyway, I have no problem with it.

Did you hear about something called Hate crimes ? is it against races,ideologies, religions or simply against humans ? hate crimes can be religiously motivated.Religion for some people is part of them, so yes, it is a crime against humans and against god. Some people don't care if you urinate at their holy place and some take it in offensive way, bottom line just respect each others.

hamada you didn't grasp my point. I am saying judge a person for crimes against humans, why are you judging someone for crime against God????

When you drop a holy book upon entering any holy place, there are 2 reactions usual "A Glare" if you are one of "US" and a stronger reaction if you are one of "Them" , but there are always exceptions and am sure if there was someone else wiser/better educated in that mosque , she would probably ask her first what is her problem.

I agree with you, God doesn't need protection from us, you can use the same logic and apply it everywhere else and we can all sit home because god will take care of us, put money in our pockets,food on our tables and will keep us healthy. There is something missing here, why did she enter the mosque in the first place? and what about her dress code ? why did she grab the holy book ? This all reminds me of Ariel Sharon entering the holy mosque just to stir up millions of Muslims, BTW I heard he is shrinking!

OK. By the way, my siggy - "Mercy above Justice" is Godliness and the prerogative of the Sovereign when it comes to matters like crimes etc.

Mercy would not be blind mercy - there must be cogent reasons why it should be exercised and not merely based on hearsay - at least for humans.

Another thing about punishment - it's necessary for a majority of people to ensure that the rule of law is enforced esp where some people are not mature enough to be like your humanists but rather, more focused on their own personal interests.

GENERALLY, true religions (monotheist or otherwise) advocate collectivism - care and concern for other people - just like humanists do - so you see, we are basically all on the same page.

BUT it's those leaders with personal interests that mess things up. So, as I said before, it ain't the religion that's the problem but the interpretations of the same. It is PEOPLE who twist and turn words of Holy Books out of context for their own kpi (key pi) - by the way, I didn't coin that one, some smartypants in India did.

/ It's Sunday and I'm NOT WORKING!! Yayyyy!!!!

Shopping (window shopping only as cash strapped), food food food, varieties at 1/3 or 1/5 of the price in Doha, green green grass of home, got colourful flowers to look at, spas at half price compared to Doha, movies at 1/5 of the price..... Saw Prince of Persia, A-Team and next week, Sex and the City 2... wheeee!!!! TTFN!

I know you peeps complain about my long posties ... so to highlight a point I made earlier -

"Having said that, it is of course, very good to highlight concerns and get feedback for decision makers to consider."

This is what we guys and gals are doing on this thread and it's important so that decision makers are aware of what people think and will also strike their minds when they are considering this issue if it's brought to their attention.

But as per my last para - if the lady in question had no witness (maybe other cleaners to come forward?) to corroborate her side of the story then there's nothing that can be done for her, other than seeking the pardon avenue. Good luck.

But if like Britex said, she's out of the country, then this judgment serves as a clear warning to visitors to treat Islam with due respect. Some people tend to be like bulls in a china shop and take others' tolerance for granted. This is what I mean by egocentric people. The world does NOT revolve around them!!

God will be so angry to see these mortals acting like Gods and giving out punishments for crimes against him when he is waiting to punish them, LOL.. Will be good fun to see all these religious fanatics in hell, I will wave at you from heaven :)

Good warning to idiots not to take these things lightly. Ignorance of the law is no defence. Generally agree with Nomerci, Happy & Britex.

Nic said "... obviously did something wrong but the punishment speaks loads about forgiveness from the religion in question.

I am not religious but I always assumed and as mentioned by Nomerci, religion is about kindness and forgiveness, obviously the one in question is not.

Its all about revenge, punishment and fear. How could this religion be perceived as welcoming with reactions like this one!"

Permit me to say that this could be flawed understanding. IMHO, there are 2 sides to this - justice and mercy. Justice was what was meted out by the courts. Mercy is where a pardon is granted due to whatever reasons that the Sovereign deems fit in his absolute discretion. (Sovereign here is HRH the Emir. For UK, it'll be HRM the Queen, etc.) Applies anywhere in the world where there is a rule of law and a sovereign.

And the perception that there's hanky panky to get that pardon for some people can also be flawed as the Sovereign acts on verifiable information received from a variety of parties for a well rounded, well informed decision. Transparency is important but total transparency, like total freedom - will be anarchy. Cannot be totally transparent as any information can be twisted around to any agenda.

Having said that, it is of course, very good to highlight concerns and get feedback for decision makers to consider.

It is suggested that people (generally, not anyone in particular) should not criticize Qatar out of ignorance or bias borne out of frustration.

Re: the story - definitely more that meets the eye. Difficult to verify unless the woman had a witness with her. The workers there corroborated each other's story so the courts have to accept that testimony. That was fair and that's clear when people detach from their emotions and consider objectively.

Eco I don't know about Mosques and Churches but if I drop the holy book in Hindu or Sikh temples the worst punishment I will get is "A Glare", that's all...

All you people trying to act God and punishing people for not respecting God????

If there is a God then all of you who are acting God on earth will be the ones going to hell. Think over it, leave the judgement to him, don't judge people for religious crimes unless you think of yourself as God. Ofcourse if you think of yourself as God, you are going to hell. Non-believers like me might get away but those judging humans on earth will burn in hell forever :)

and we will see how tolerant are guardians of temples.

Places of worship are not for entertainment to act like clowns.

Read temple rules

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Practical/visiting-temples.htm

Then He will say to those on his left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels'" (Matthew 25:41).

"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (verse 46).

....And stop picking on 30-year old Qatar's unwritten code of traditions. There're well-established countries with a set of "norms" we've never heard of or know about. It's not uncommon. Where were your country when it was 100 years old?

On another note, my guess is that Qatar won't be awarded the 2022 unless bribes are excepted.

Relax people.

QS, yes, I thought it must have been them....ugly people those! YUKKK. I am sorry you have to endure something like that.

And even more sorry that "the project" is on hold...:(

....I'm disappointed (but not surprised) at many here! Some claim they’ve visited temples of all sorts, and vouch for their "spirituality".

Have you been to a mosque where you've been threatened at gun-point? Or is it the candle-lit corners in these places of worship? (I like those candles too, especially in Buddhist temples, Hindu shrines and Coptic churches.)

We all have heard and read of Christians and Jews who're being killed, persecuted, or forced away from their prospective partners of different creeds, by their own fanatic family members and peers for "wanting" to convert.

What happened when tourists, at Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, were attacked by swamps of wasps in 04? This is what the Buddhist "spiritual" media has said about the indecent tourists:

"Let us hope that Kasyapa's guardians... continue to perform their royal assignment and puncture the bums in minis and hot pants that come in their thousands to disturb them."

We may angrily react seeking deterrence and respect, but no one's life should be violated!

The Christian approach is much more about peace, love and forgiveness:

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you".

—Luke 6:27-31. NIV

The violent and aggressive reputation does come from somewhere!

...Eco, I see where you're coming from. You want see punishment in place for deterrence.

How I perceive it is slightly different, yet within the acceptable limits. I like to take the harder way, to tame and gain respect rather than decapitate, and when and only when necessary, the prescribed punishment should be in place. Justice.

nomerci.. guess what.. it was the same family which you saw other day and reacted exactly the same way even before this incident.. remember? .. :)

but.. R. said the project is on hold for some time..:(:(

for evil then every Julie, Bobby will commit it on daily basis, ppl will become used to it and keep quiet about it. We will become desentisized then one day we will allow holy books tournaments.

Those who keep quiet what does Allah say about them? you must read chapter 8 verse 25

...Eco, I don't know of anyone who doesn't denounce evil. The biggest issue is how to define evil, in which context, and how to scope it.

to denounce evil? He Said : whoever amoung u sees an evil, let him change it with his hand (by taking action ) then with his tongue and if he still cant then with his heart.

here u come with a wise solution.

who will be the first to move?

QS, that's why you need to move somewhere where the chance of encountering such people is as small as possible...and you know whee that is! ;)

....Eco, in other words, how would our Prophet have reacted had he been among us today?

I wish you'd answer me straight, but you won't..:((

Sadly, what you said does occur and we all have to be vary of it. I recall in Saudi Arabia , a person I iknow was accused by a local of insulting him and the country. My friend denied it (and I believe him). However, he was hauled up against a judge and deported within two weeks. So what Nic said should also be adhered to. We all know the pitfalls of coming to this region and should be careful at all times.

That's what I said in the other thread that I don't even think Qatar believes they have a realistic shot of hosting this event, because if they were to be given the opportunity to host the WC, they would have to change a whole catalogue of laws, which is very unlikely to happen considering the sort of friction and resistance that it would create from the more conservative elements within the society.

scary..

One of my neighbours is a family with a lot of kids, at least 4 or 5, maybe more. They live on the ground floor of the building and they always leave their shoes, bicycles, toys and other personal stuff everywhere in the corridor, at the stairs, and at the entrance. Yesterday I came home, carrying few quite heavy bags in both my hands. Right in front of the entrance stood the bike, totally barring the way and impeding further moving. I asked the girl beside the bike to move it or to ask her Dad or Mom to do so, and I told her to never block the entrance again, and not to leave their belongings all over the ground floor of the building. By the way, the girl apologized and went towards her flat. Then I had to put all the bags on the ground, to remove bicycle, so that I could enter the building. Then I came up to my floor, and couple of minutes later the door bell rang. I opened the door, and the tall black-skinned woman started screaming at me with scary face, why I complain about her children. First I tried to explain that I do not complain about her children, but rather about those who suppose to supervise them, and that the corridor and the stairs are NOT the continuation of their flat, but rather common shared areas… but she kept screaming at me, calling me different names. I got literally scared. I was alone home at that time, and I was afraid that this woman would hit me, she was so close to hitting me. So I just closed the door. Then she started ringing the bell…she was ringing for about 2 minutes nonstop continuously, and finally she run away…

So now my thoughts are what if this woman created some story? Note, she even brought her maid with her to witness her act! What if this maid “confirmed” that she saw something that actually has never happened??

This is really scary!

peace and forgiveness! I hope it be put in practice not selectively but generally!

Linc,

I totally agree with you, Forward this article to FIFA and you'll see their reaction!

I have been to Buddhist temples in Tibet, Hindu temples in India, Taoist temples in Vietnam, etc, etc, etc…. and in spite of not being religious, I felt serenity, peace, spirituality. I might not have known the protocol and I might have committed some mistakes but I never felt at danger. People would come and guide me if I did something wrong.

Now, judging by the reactions to this incident (not excusing the lady’s stupidity), I would be very worried if ever I would visit a mosque in certain gulf countries. You never know, if you do a mistake by innocence (I repeat, I am not saying that this was the lady's case), you would be putting your life or your freedom at risk. The lack of tolerance and harsh punishment for any perceived offense is often observed among people who practice the religion in question. Some of them are so obsessed that they forget about the principles and morals of their own religion.

My point here is the lessons that we learnt from this incident, is to never expose yourself to such environment as you may get into serious trouble. Fear, not respect, is the message this sentence is sending to the world.

OK, I have had a night to think about this. There is no way this woman is still in Qatar, as much as Happy Happy and others wish she was so that she could pay for her crimes. If she really was languishing in a jail, this would have been picked up by the international press by now. Moreover, the story gives no indication she is here--she was not at the trial, she was arrested in the airport, etc. Yes it says that she should leave the country after serving the sentence, but virtually EVERY serious conviction in this country includes this statement, even when people are tried in absentia (i.e. they are not here). If she was here and facing a trial, she would show up for it and make her case.

For those of you trying to equate this incident with expressions of intolerance in the West, get a life. Wearing a burka while driving in France comes with a small fine, not seven years in prison. Could you imagine the hypocritical uproars if she was imprisoned for seven years? France is a secular nation by law. England is, by constitution, a Christian nation. The monarch is the head of the Church of England, bishops are voting members of the House of Lords, and Christian religious holidays are national holidays. Sure, the majority of the English do not regularly attend church, but the majority do identify themselves as Christian, and the laws and actions of society as a whole are widely recognized as being influence by "secular" Christian ethics (i.e the morals and principles being just, rather than following them because they were handed down by God). One my rightly argue that the English (or Americans and plenty of other for that matter) are not good Christians because they are not as publicly devout as peoples in a number of Muslim countries. But then, I would argue that someone cannot call themselves a good Muslim when they treat their maids and foreign workers worse than dogs--abusing their human rights, paying them pathetic wages, holding their passports, etc. As Mohandis Gandi rightly said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ"; this can be just as easily applied to people of all the major faiths. Religion is about what is in your heart, not what you publicly do for public show.

On a lighter note . . . So much for the Word Cup bid. All it would take is for a competing nation to cut out this story and distribute it to the judges. Clearly, this country is incapable of exercising the kind of tolerance necessary to be a host nation to enormous range of peoples that attend a world cup. The biggest new building would have to be a prison to hold all the people who violated all of the intricate, antiquated, and, quite frankly, bizarre laws here.

less than a few riyals...

The birdie speak right. I also agree.

did i write somewhere "Christian America" or "Christian's of America" or do i missing something?

The birdie speak right. I agree.

on religion-based..

I dont say a single word about relgion

what i say -- there may be people who smartly use the name of religion to attack someone, whom they dont like

they know, if they use name of religon, they get support from all...

I reuqest we should not support any wrong doing person,, JUST BECAUSE of religion..( it applicable to all religion)

or Tibetan throws it then its different case

they dont know much about Quran, disrepecting here in QATAR is grt offence I will not buy this story that its simple mistake.

Yes she was lucky and safe by her Jordanian Muslim girls, but wud u mind, who will save Dr. Aafia Siddiqui (A Scientist)who is supposed to get a life time prison in USA, and has been tortured for almost seven years now?

wat a hypocrisy in modern, liberal, and civilized societies.

sallahu alaihi wassalam

....Alumnar, thanks. There're thousands of good people, and the bad ones mess it up for the rest.

Eco, I want you to recognize the difference between the times of the Prophet and that of Saiedna Omar. You’re very smart though to pick the latter out of all Companions/Caliphs to concur with your approach...:)

Yes,britexpat, people often commit sin, cheat & break the law too...

in Alkhor, ( 2 years back ) a christian female employee , was charged EXACTLY THE SAME allegations.... by her jealous colleagues. they alleged "she threw the holy book into dust bin".

in fact some of the Jordanian muslim girls came to her rescue and declared the allegation is false and concocted ; otherwise she would have been in jail now

ladies, I see many muslim women reading Quran during working Hours which is not allowed. Company is not paying you to rest or pray Quran during work hours this is again offence

People often sleep / rest in mosques to get away from the heat or just take a break..

the-birdie, at the same time she was doing her job...she made an objection on some ladies those were resting on the floor of Masjid...

I can smell something fishy...

there are chances, to humiliate a person, we smartly exploit religion.

just shout --"this man has desecrated the holy book" evryone will believe in frenzy and chase the man to gallows

how convenient

Happy Happy, I'm still waiting to meet somebody like you in Qatar. Thank you for your posts in this topic, they are a pleasure to read :)

....Eco, you know way too well the answer, right? How he would've reacted is desperately needed to be demonstrated and instilled nowadays.

Yes, whyteknight Masjid is an institution where we pray, We learn by scholars addresses or teachers' lectures or people may discuss political issues of a Muslim estate here...

But, it's not allowed for people to have a nap inside a Masjid...

...Eco-savvy, what would you think Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would have done in reaction?

....drmana, I'm not alone in this, believe me, there're so many people who'd have even reacted far sensibly, by offering the woman something to eat or to drink, and srtick a convesation to solicit why she's done that, and give her some insight about the value of Quran.

They would even extend an invitation to visit their family.

I'm surrounded by those people, who would do what I just wrote here, in reaction to provocative fanatic people.

:)

ghazalz I have seen quite a few people sleeping in Mosques, in fact 2 of my colleagues in Dubai used to sleep every afternoon for an hour each in the Mosque. Is this true?

Why was I created? what is the purpose of our life. Jail infact is best place to reflect

Having a nap is also prohibited in the 'Masjid'

...Eco, before or after he's converted? there's a major difference.

7 years of life wasted for a stupid mistake!

if he was around very simple question :)

Read my post...

Didn't I say that she should apologise and be deported ?

Happy Happy, I am so glad to hear a sensible reply on this. You can set an example for others. God Bless.

....Eco-savvy, it wouldn't serve anyone any good if you reported her and thrown her in jail. That would destroy her and her family's life. Do you want that on your conscience?

She's a bigot, you're not, and you wouldn't stoop to her low level. One could only afford to pick the Book and bless it, put it back where it belonged, give her strong advice never to repeat that again, enlighten her that she could easily get sentenced, and that you're doing her a favor by letting her go (so she won't repeat it again).

Now that's what I'd call a practical demonstration of our principles, when it's needed the most.

Think it over.

Its not funny

Haha you can't ask if it is a bad word or not as it will be blocked again :D

Brit I won't have had any problem with 7 years sentence for this if rapists & murderers were facing longer sentence for their crimes.

better to have illicit relations, that only carries a year and at least you've had some fun.

The vottom line is that we all know how much the Quran is revered by Muslims, so why risk the wrath by acts of stupidity ?

Just as an aside, I recall a cvase in Saudi when a couple of French guys weere leaving at the end of contract on an exit only. The got on to the plane and just as the plane was taxiing, they started "mooning" .

The pilot turned the plane around. They were offloaded and spent a month in jail..

little harsh??!!??

I believe the sentence is a little harsh... I think that if she is guilty, then she should be made to apologise and be deported....

im from the UK - so i take it that you agree with this sentence??

Come to England and see the pathetic sentences handed down by our senile and lefty, liberal judges.

I am returning home without a job but will be alot happier than living under this cloud that is "Qatar rules"

Congratulations Fruga

am sick of the reasoning in this country - and for that reason i am now working my 1 month notice...28 days to go!! and to think that they, as a nation, want to entice tourists here! YEAH RIGHT!!!!

No exiled it shows God doesn't forgive

Well Frugaluga, it seems God cannot defend himself so us humans must punish other humans in his name

that this is just another example of Qatar authorities flexing their not so well judged muscles.. i heard a story of a woman(westerner) who's house was broken into by a Qatari brandishing a knife, prepared to kill himself and her. Sentence? QR2000 and a slap on the wrist.. i ask you good people of QL what the F##k is going on here?

around?

you cant change haters, its thier innate nature

Nic

i must not change the topic, but exceptions are all over the world, and we are the victims of G W BUSH's crusades (Ref: Bush first speech after 9/11)

an absolute joke!!! this country is insane!!!

Dot.com,

its not hate against the religion, its just wonder how certain people can hate so much and even kill in the name of god!

NIC

i respect ur story, but i bet to find reciting of Quran by anyone around the world u described.

I'm sure, this is not your inner hatred toward Islam, just can be one of ur frustated imagination.

....britexpat, "The court ruled that the woman should leave the country after serving the punishment."

:-)

I agree with Linc, the reputation of this religion comes from episodes like this one and the savage condemnation to the point of expressing death wishes.

The women obviously did something wrong but the punishment speaks loads about forgiveness from the religion in question.

I am not religious but I always assumed and as mentioned by Nomerci, religion is about kindness and forgiveness, obviously the one in question is not.

Its all about revenge, punishment and fear. How could this religion be perceived as welcoming with reactions like this one!

One day I was in shop here in Doha and they had Arabic music with a male voice shouting Arabic words (that’s what I thought it was) very loud on the speakers. In a playful tone, I asked the lady at the cashier, what the hell was this music that it sounded like a torture. At the cash there were 2 or 3 ladies and all of the sudden they start yelling at me that I had no respect that it was the Quran being read. They made a loud scandal and threatened me that they would call the authorities. I apologized as I was new here and didn’t know what it was. I then left the shop and when I was driving out I saw a group of men with ladies, running after my car. I was going to stop and asked them why such big reaction for a simple mistake, but something told me that I would be better off if I just drove away.

When I told this episode to my friends, they told me that I was so lucky to escape, as I could have been in serious trouble if they caught me and called the police.

I wonder if God stays proud when he sees so much hate in his name!

Peace and love to all, forgive so you can be forgiven!

So let me get this further straight....If you went out naked or topless in french or some other european societies, hardly u'll be warned only, but if u wear Burqa or cover ur face, u can get 700 Euro fine........Do you sensing anything wrong with people priorities there?

....Eco-savvy, agreed. If this story is true, she's really trespassed, yet I wouldn't have reported her, nor would I want her death, like someone here cheered.

Would you?

My interpretation of the article is that the woman has already left the country and the "harsh" sentence has been handed down in absentia - probably to send a signal to others.

And I have read cases where child rapists only got 1-3 years in jail maximum...

All idiots should know WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT OUR ISLAM

but there is a real story

( I am not sure what actually happened the story at Airport in this Post.)

But there is a tendencey to call a dog "mad dog " and bury it.

There is a real story happend in Al Khor , where a christian female employee was charged by her colleagues "planting" a fake story against her. They said exactly said the same allegations that the chritian girl "threw" the bible into a dust bin!!!

I can understand the anger of some friends that she should be sent to mental asylum. I agree , IF, she has done it actualy.....but dear friends, dont believe fully

whenever you have a disgruntled colleagues / or foes, you have to be careful. They can easily plant a story against you, and the best "tool" is religion.

again, i dont know wht happed in this news story at airport. May be this actually happened.

( in the above story of Al khor, at last some Jordanian Muslim girls came to her rescue. They told such incident never happened and it was a planted story ?

whyteknight, valid point. I will make sure I let them know about it. Thanks for pointing it out though. See I drive, never even tried walking in Doha.

exiledsaint, a % of drivers in Qatar are locals, so we need to educate the drivers. Maybe we can let the Driving School and Traffic Department know this concern so they could TEACH and EDUCATE people? Isn't that the least that we could do?

Xena, that is plain mean. You are accusing the cleaning lady of lying because of a few riyals? Why couldn't this foreigner just be a hater and she did get into the mosque out of curiosity and acted like a donkey?

I was reading the newspaper in the office and came across this article. I found it interesting myself that she would be put in jail for 7 years for throwing the Qur'an. I am sure there is more to the story.

saw her throw the book to the ground?

Hmmm... maybe she didn't leave a tip for them when she left the bathroom...

I love how the woman gets condemned and it assumed she threw it, when she said that she had dropped the Q'uran.

Something's missing from the story...

Linc, I agree with you...

Moral of the story, don't accidently drop books in Qatar, you can get arrested for it.... oh and people will think you need psyciatric help!

.....nomerci, she might've not known of the consequences. Now she's learnt it the hard way.

.... Well, things happen. If she was in a Non-Muslim country and did this act, I most probably wouldn't have reacted angrily, but the nerve of people!

I'm glad this has been published, so people won't take these matters lightly out prejudice and ignorance, then pay dearly for their indifference and lack of courtesy.

had she not been punished we would not have been reading this...she was punished 7 years to set an example. While in Rome do as Romans do....Thank God the whole world is not Rome.

rishimba, yes, of course. And I am not saying that this woman is not an idiot.

But as it is, reputations are made on this kind of stuff, both ways.

I also think when it comes to religion, kindness should be the first and foremost thing to be shown and practiced,after all, that is what religion is all about...non?

nomerci, that is simply because these countries are not secular but islamic and the laws are based on sharia.

in secular countries the penal code is not linked to the religion and there would be no existing laws based on which the police would even register a case like this.

lastly, we all know that islam is not one of the most tolerant religions..

hmm, let's see. What would happen if a non Christian goes into a church on throws the bible on the ground.

I tell you what would happen. Somebody would pick it up and put it where it belongs. Why? Because disrespect is not a threat for those who know better and are secure in their faith. Maybe somebody would have even be kind enough to explain to the disrespectful person why what was done was wrong. And who knows? Maybe this person then would have seen things in a different light.

No matter where a predistrian crosses the road they have the right of way. Too many are killed on the roads here due to dangerous driving. In Europe cars slow down when they see people crossing, here they speed up!

As for the guy said I would shoot her. What an idiot. I'm sure god on the day of judgement would give him what he deserves.

Again. 7 years. A night un jail and deportation would be sufficent.

God is a big guy and can look after himself. He doesn't need humans handing out punitive punishments to people who are clearly insensitive and stupid

Alcohol...

So someone doesn't like you and claims that you have thrown the Holy Book down 'after sometime' and you get 7 yrs? And Palestinians are murdered everyday and no one has the guts to stand up to them? I totally condemn any act that insults any religion - Xtianity, Islam, etc but I think 7 yrs for an alleged throwing of the Holy Book is a bit harsh. So if she tore a page, it would have been death sentence, i guess?? We are so hard-handed against people we are trying to encourange to come to this country and yet we are defenceless against Israel. Come on, let's get things sorted out properly.

...hamadaCZ, actually she's not just crossed the lines; she's jumped over them into a mosque!

There is something missing here, what was she doing in there?!

People should respect each others' believes and religions. I think the historian David Irving was arrested in Austria and sentenced for 3 years, because he wrote a book denying the holocaust. I guess there are lines people shouldn't cross in every country. Regarding the teddy bear story, the lady wasn't sentenced to death, but prosecuted.

....linc, I just read it as PITSTOP posted it. It's my interpretation.

My point is that if the offender was on her way out of Qatar, the airport authorities would have stopped her from traveling after the fuss has happened when the supervisor made the complaints against her. There must have been a bit of a quarrel at the scene?

Happy Happy--The article says that she was bailed out, and pretrial hearings would have been shortly after the arrest (when the judges decided on bail and a trial date). The article also says she did not attend the trial itself. All of this suggests she is not in Qatar. Do you know something about this case beyond the article? If so, please share.

arshad1940--nice representation of Muslims. Where ever do people in the West ever come up with such negative stereotypes with you and the rest of the posters that threaten such violence upon a woman who obviously is not sound in the mind?

Or where should I walk on the roads where Ashghal is carrying out construction works, deep pits on either side and runaway traffic on the road. No pavements, no pedestrian walkways.

PITSTOP how do I cross the road on a roundabout?

There are NO THICK WHITE LINES on MANY roundabouts HERE.

exiledsaint: "You don't even get a prison sentence for killing pedistrians with your car and murder can just be a couple of years."

Isn't there a place at the traffic signals were people are SUPPOSED to cross over, thick white lines on the ground? When someone is STUPID enough to cross the MAIN STREET/ROAD when cars are speeding by, then they deal with the consequences, no? I argued this with many, and they said it was a LONG WALK to the traffic signals to cross over. Ya, long walk to get to the other side safely and a short hop to death.

If she's an idiot, then I am not. I'd probably do the same as HappyHappy.

arshad, reply again after you calm down. Human life is precious.

.....arshad1940, she' s most definitely a provocative disrespectful idiot. If I was there I'd threaten her I'd call the authorities, and read her what the law says, then expel her out of my sight, before I've actually slapped her and kicked her back out of the mosque.

if i was there i will shoot her to death.

....linc, she's been in town, attended the pre-trial hearings, and testified the Book "fell by mistake". Legal proceedings sometimes are procrastinated until the court convenes for the final ruling.

She can still appeal.

Would she have received the same sentence if she had 'dropped' the Bible 'by mistake'???

I know that she was given a jail sentence, but is she even still in the country? The report in the GT said that she did not attend the trial, and that this happened almost a year ago at the airport. Presumably she is somewhere else and is totally unaware of the conviction (that is until the next time she passes through Doha!). I seriously doubt she will ever have to serve the sentence, as it is not as if Ireland were extradite her on these sorts charges.

Olive--if you are willing to do three years in prison, you could probably torture and kill a few maids and their 'illicit' companions. My favorite is when people have their licenses suspended for three months for running over someone with their car.

Stupidity should not have greater punishment than murder IMHO

Methinks the woman is not in her right mind, and probably should have undergone psychiatric assessment.

I guess you are right Uk

Ya think! :P

olive I think Shelly had one two many on the plane she came off?. :)

exil, once one british teacher was sentenced to death for agreeing to name Muhammed a bear-toy, after few children from her her pre-school class suggested this name for the toy.

but this irish is definitely out of her mind.. why has she done it?? wierd incident..

.

the lady must be out of her senses...or else nobody, presumably she is a non-muslim, would just barge into the praying room and pick up the holy book.

she should have been first sent to a psychiatrist to understand her state of mind before pronouncing the sentence..

btw, there is no penal code in sharia laws and the sentences depend on the judges' discretion.

....We have to admit she's a jerk.

She should have been deported for the insult. 7 years is a crime!!!

You don't even get a prison sentence for killing pedistrians with your car and murder can just be a couple of years.

....Having her expelled out of the country would've been more than sufficient, for deliberately stepping into a house of God, in contempt.

Why would she go into the mosque anyway?

This serves as a warning to all Qatar Airways passengers in transit through Doha International Airport!

So let me get this straight....If I torture and murder my maid I can get off in 3 years, but I throw a copy of the Quran I get 7......Am I sensing anything wrong with peoples priorities here?