What type of posts did he write that got him arrested? I would like to sign the petition but it would be great if I could know what i’m signing for…

I would really like to know what exactly got him in trouble. And why was he really kicked out of Al Azhar, which is something I’ve never heard of. It’s just not an easy thing to happen.

To the commenters above:

We are working on translating his posts, so check Free Kareem frequently. But if you read Arabic, his posts are located at his blog (which the introduction to the petition also linked to) -

http://karam903.blogspot.com/

This is his other blog:

http://shiningwords.blogspot.com/

…but again, of course, he had the right to speak freely, but I feel he kinda trespassed his limits…

Hal,

Thank you for being sane.

Can you believe that some people have refused to sign this because he insulted their religion? As if that matters. People claim to be fighters of freedom of speech and then expect those who practice it not to be controversial or challenging. Did Kareem incite violence? Did he call for a genocide against Muslims?

Oh, but he supported Danish products! Seriously guys! That’s awful! A bunch of bearded maniacs burn down cars and flags in an effort to show their anger towards poorly drawn cartoons and for some reason Kareem finds that retarded enough to fully support democracy in Denmark. How bad of you, Kareem! You should’ve stood with Islam when it was promoting violence and demanding the beheading of anyone who questions or (gasp) mocks the religion!

In any case, if you bothered reading his work you will see that Kareem is actually respectful. A lot of his close friends are Muslim, and he has never held that against them. Furthermore, his own lawyers are devout Muslims, which is very admirable. It doesn’t matter what he said, he had the guts to challenge the authority and people in the Arab world are so used to self-censorship that they can’t grasp the true notion of freedom of speech.

“He asked for it!”

Really? How?

By speaking up?

By daring to take another chance even after his first arrest because it was his way of promoting freedom of speech and freedom of conscience?

By practicing what he preaches despite the harsh consequences?

By continuing to write while receiving an endless amount of threats and revealing his full name, address, phone number, and pictures on his own blog?

Let us know. How did he ask for it? I’m itching with curiosity.

I don’t know why people don’t accept criticism. How else are we going to learn? Do you expect everything to come in a neat box where no one challenges anyone else’s beliefs and ideologies? Would you rather live in a world where freedom of speech merely means the freedom to talk about trivial shit that no one gives a fuck about?

It is through the efforts of these brave young people that we can ever achieve freedom of speech. Don’t think that signing a petition will do much in the end. Don’t think that your false sympathy will do anything. Don’t think that the struggle for freedom is a nice and simple one with instant satisfying results. It is due to our human nature that we question, to object, to intellectually compete, to demand answers.

If you want freedom of speech, what we REALLY need is more Kareems in this part of the world. And that’s why we’re trying to free him. It’s not just Kareem we are fighting for – we are fighting for everything Kareem represents.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with this amazingly daring guy.

-Esra’a

Dear Wonderful Hal,
You do have some interesting views on this matter, but allow me to say few things here.
First of all, i have no idea why he’s being arrested. Is it because of his opinions? Thousands are doing this everywhere ESPECIALLY anti-religious opinions and no one is bothering them. It’s OK to bash god and all religions but not get into politics
For all we know this person may have been arrested for drug dealing, prostitution or even worse
You have no facts, you have no idea what and why and you’re quickly up in arm and judging and prosecuting me PERSONALLY for having my own opinion!!

On the boycott. How is it a narrow vision exactly? When I stand up with my whole NATION against a specific insult? Who has the narrow vision now?
You know something even my christian Arab friends over here were totally supportive and stood with the whole nation. My American christian friends actually came and apologize when they have done nothing! Yet they felt that they have been shamed by someones act.
Just as I would be shamed by a terrorist act here, or a terrorist act there!

Hal, before you feel upset about people not getting their freedom of speech, try to practice it against other people. You have no monopoly over right, truth and good. No one does!

Hi Qwaider,

“On the boycott. How is it a narrow vision exactly? When I stand up with my whole NATION against a specific insult?”

It is a typical reaction for anyone to submit themselves to tyranny of the majority and tired collectivist ideologies. The fact remains that you’re using Kareem’s opposing opinion concerning this matter to further your stance when it comes to whether or not you should sign a petition in the name of freedom of speech and freedom of conscience. Hal’s post remains as valid as ever and if anything, you just proved her to be more correct.

Esra,
My choice to support a specific reaction towards or against a specific action remains my personal preference. Casting stereotypicalism on top of it will not change that fact. I have a different opinion regarding it. I have not submitted myself or my ideas to that. I might disagree on certain specifics but peaceful boycott in my book is way better than violence.
Anyway, this is not our issue here, I just thought I would clear that out of the way first.

I have not used Kareems ideas to pass judgement on him or on anyone, I see that people are free to think and say what ever they choose to. I am totally against what appears to be some kind of censorship and violation of human rights and freedom of speech.

Now Since, I’m not George W Bush, I’m not going to wage war with only “some” of the facts. Especially when you consider that all we know is his writings and I see NOTHING incriminating there.

Signing a petition in the freedom of speech is general and this is really a specific case.

Allow me to be a little bit proactive about this whole matter. If I were you I would got all the facts needed and publish them so people have absolutely no doubt that this issue they’re petitioning for is actually a worthy cause and it’s the right thing to do (regardless of his beliefs). In such a case I would be the first to sign it, not only that I would rally support for him.

Dear Esra,
I have no beliefs that mandates or promotes violence. And lets not go there, since I’m not the point of this matter. Again his views regarding Denmark are his, and I respectfully disagree with them and that’s my choice. AGAIN this is not the issue.

The facts I’m looking for is not in his writings. I read some, but found no reason for imprisonment. What I’m looking for is the REASON, he was taken into custody for WHAT Purpose? His writings are in majority copying and pasting from Qasimi, Nawal Sadawi and others. When they came with a warrant, “What was he accused of”? Can you get those documents? Can his lawyer get them? Can you post them?

Creating websites, and reading his articles mean just that, half the truth! I need some facts. And no, I’m not kidding his passport number will not be of use. I would rather you keep this issue a serious matter if you really want support

Esra,
Thank you, but frankly I had to dig to get to that. You could have just added that part.
I don’t see the 5 charges as worthy of imprisonment. Especially: “- Defaming the President of Egypt”
Therefore I will support this petition.

All I wanted was the facts, the information. Not a trial of the ideas. And I would humbly suggest that you take this incident as a learning lesson to how people may not understand the cause once it turns to tit-for-tat argument

I understand that you have strong emotions regarding this matter, but the cause is more important in my humble opinion than preconceptions that we may or may not have towards people who have different opnions including myself.

I’m convinced now, thank you for taking the time to do so. I will go and sign the petition right now

However, he doesn’t deserve to be imprisoned, he was just not considering other people’s feelings and beliefs…

Esra’a,

I totally agree that he has all the right in expressing his opinions and ideas. However, he criticized the Azhar pretty harshly, if you’d ask me. I am a very open minded person, and I wasn’t offended myself, because he chose what he wanted to be and I have nothing to do about it. But nevertheless, the normal people, the government, aren’t that open minded, and since Egypt isn’t the best place when it comes to practicing freedom of speech(one of the things I agree with Kareem on, he ended up to be prison.

Moreover, he shouted out loud to the cops that he was the one who wrote those anti-Islam posts knowing that will make it worse for him. Why did he do it? Making Egypt progress and adapt the whole freedom of speech that way is definitely not going to work.

Qwaider, have you ever been to Iran before? Ideas similar to Kareem’s are everywhere. This is what happens when a religion is being shoved down your throat, it just gets misrepresented and in turn, misconceived. Kareem’s opinions may be ill-informed but that is my own personal reflection to his posts. I still read his blog and I still enjoy having discussions with him. I still like him as a person, despite my irritation with his mentality concerning my religion. If you value freedom of speech, prepare to be annoyed, offended, and challenged. But at least you’d be able to articulate a similar reaction, which is all that really matters.

You know, ever since the campaign has been launched, I have been getting dozens of e-mails suggesting that I’m an infidel for supporting such a cause. Yes, I must be the work of Satan for supporting a friend in need. Judging from the IPs, a lot of these responses are coming from Egypt, where Kareem is considered a traitor if not an “enemy.” It occurred to me that the only person who’s truly interested and gave us his full-hearted support was an ex-Muslim Arab who interviewed Kareem for an anti-Muslim website.

The results are predictable in a sad kind of way. Moderate Muslims are being equated with infidels with nothing but contempt for their own religion.

I’ve only been receiving these for a day now and it’s already discouraging and exhausting. I can’t imagine what Kareem must have gone through for years. This speaks volumes of his strength and determination.