Saudi stunt 'drifter' to be beheaded

A Saudi court has sentenced a stunt “drifter” to death by decapitation for inadvertently killing two people, while performing a car stunt near the capital Riyadh.

"The court of Onaiza (a central region north of Riyadh) handed down a sentence to kill the drifter 'Mutannish' by beheading as punishment for his heinous deed and to deter others who tamper with the nation's security," Reuters reported on Thursday, quoting Saudi newspaper Al Watan.

Identified as "Mutannish" or "he who ignores" in Arabic, the middle-aged joyrider fled the scene after reportedly killing the two men while performing the stunt. He, however, was later arrested by the police.

Faced with limited options for entertainment, Saudi men have turned to "drifting," a pastime, in which drivers make their cars spin and skid at high speed.

The kingdom’s unwritten penal code defines drifting-related deaths as criminally-negligent homicides.

In 2005, a Saudi naval officer, convicted of killing three minors in a stunt-driving accident, was handed down death sentence, which was later commuted to 3,000 lashes and 20 years in prison.

Last year, Saudi Arabia executed 82 people, most of them by beheading, according to Amnesty International.

Source:

http://www.emirates247.com/crime/region/saudis-to-behead-stunt-driver-for-hit-and-run-incident-2012-06-26-1.464721

KSA to Allow Women at Olympics

A big thumbs up to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud!!!!

Back in November, 2011, the government of Saudi Arabia began hinting that it might permit female athletes to represent the country in this summer’s Olympics. In March of this year, it announced that it would. April saw it back off a bit, saying that while it would permit them to take part, it would not actually support them in their efforts.

Come June, and it now appears that female athletes will receive support as well. The Wall St. Journal reports:

Saudi Arabia to Let Women Compete in Olympics
ELLEN KNICKMEYER in Riyadh and IMAN DAWOUD in London
Saudi Arabia, the only major nation to ban women athletes from its national Olympics team, apparently reversed course amid international pressure on Sunday, saying that qualifying Saudi female athletes could compete in London under the auspices of the Saudi Olympic Committee.
“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking forward to full participation” in the Olympic Games, the Saudi Embassy in London said. “The Saudi Olympic Committee will oversee participation of female competitors who qualify.”
The announcement opens the way for Saudi women athletes to compete for the first time in the history of the adult Olympic Games.
The concession also marks a rare official broadening of the rights granted to women in one of the world’s most conservative nations. Women in Saudi Arabia are forbidden to hold Saudi driver’s licenses. The country’s conservative religious bloc discourages women’s sports and women’s gyms, and the relatively few women’s sports teams in the country typically can’t compete before mixed public crowds of men and women.
But with the London Olympic Games due to start within weeks, only one female Saudi athlete, show-jumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas, is generally considered to be trained and ready to compete at the level of the Olympics.
Ms. Malhas in 2010 became the first Saudi woman to compete in the Youth Olympics, where she won a bronze.
…

In its report, the BBC notes the intense discussions held among senior officials and sees this move as yet another, small step by King Abdullah to bring women fully into Saudi society and politics.

Source:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304458604577486893142900090.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Nayef – May He Rest in Peace

It is with sadness that Desert Moon informs readers that His Royal Highness Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz passed away on 16 June 2012 whilst abroad for medical treatment in Geneva.Crown Prince Nayef, among his many titles and accomplishments was also next in line for the throne.His funeral ceremony took place in Makkah tul Mukarrama and the mourning ceremony was held in the Grand Mosque led by his elder brother King Abdulla bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
The SUSRIS News and Information organization provides an excellent special report about the Crown Prince, his history and achievements:

 Official Biography

Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz (1934-2012)

His Royal Highness Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz was designated Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and appointed Deputy Prime Minister, by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on October 27, 2011, upon the death of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz. Crown Prince Nayef also serves as Minister of Interior.

Prince Nayef was born in Taif in 1354H (1934), and, along with his brothers, received his early education in religion, modern culture and diplomacy at the royal court. He was appointed Deputy Governor of Riyadh in 1951 and Governor of Riyadh in 1953. In 1970, King Faisal appointed Prince Nayef the Deputy Minister of Interior and in 1975, King Khaled named him Minister of Interior. King Abdullah appointed him Second Deputy Prime Minister in 2009.

Prince Nayef has been instrumental in international counterterrorism efforts. As Minister of Interior, he has safeguarded the Kingdom, effectively leading counterterrorism initiatives to root out Al-Qaeda.

During his early years in government, Prince Nayef contributed greatly to the Kingdom’s development, helping to formulate the Kingdom’s domestic and foreign policy.. In 1992, King Fahd appointed Prince Nayef head of a committee charged with laying down the basic system of government, the Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council) System and the Provincial System.

Prince Nayef has chaired, or currently chairs, various committees, including the Higher Hajj Committee, the Higher Civil Defense Council, the Council of Governors, the Board of Directors at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, the Higher Industrial Security Commission, the Higher Information Council, supervisor of the Authority of Investigation and Public Prosecution, the Manpower Council, the Board of the Human Resources Development Fund, and Chief of the Supreme Commission for Tourism.

Prince Nayef is also the General Supervisor for Relief and Humanitarian Committees and Campaigns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Honorary President of the Saudi Charitable Society for the Welfare of Saudi Families Abroad and Chairman of the Board of the Human Resources Development Fund.  Prince Nayef regularly conducts official visits to nations around the world, meeting with heads-of-state and officials. He has been the honorary president of the Arab Interior Ministers since 1983.

Prince Nayef has been awarded many medals and decorations, including the military Order of the Cloud and Banner by Taiwan (1977), the Legion of Honor by France (1977), the Order of the Liberator by Venezuela (1977), the Al-Kawkab Decoration by Jordan (1977), the Order of National Security by Republic of South Korea (1980), and the National Order of the Cedar by Lebanon (2009). He also was awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal – First Class. He is a recipient of several honorary degrees, including an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Cheng Shiu University in Taiwan, an Honorary Doctorate of Law from South Korea, Honorary Doctorate of Political Science from the Lebanese University, Honorary Doctorate of Islamic Politics from Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia and an Honorary Doctorate from the National Ribat University in Sudan.

Source:

http://www.susris.com/2012/06/16/crown-prince-nayef-bin-abdulaziz-1934-2012/

Desert Moon conveys her deepest condolences to the family members and people of Saudi Arabia on the loss of Crown Prince Nayef. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him the highest stages of jannah (paradise) Insha Allah.....

Back to the land of Camels and Palm trees

Al7amdulilla 3alassalama, I returned to the Middle East safely after a month long vacation. I must compliment Saudi airlines for the excellent service rendered to me during my entire flight.I was given a free upgrade on all my tickets and I also had the opportunity of meeting some really interesting crew members.I love the whole airport experience being able to observe different peoples behaviours and mannerisms. During the flight I met a man who has a standard booking with Saudi airlines during the last week of each month. He performs two Umras during his one week stay..A really humble individual that is so focused on his religion.I enjoyed his company thoroughly. He engaged in a deep and meaningful conversation with me.He was full of wisdom and intellect.Then I witnessed two Saudi brothers from a VIP family treating their paralyzed mother like gold. They carried her and assisted in bringing her into the plane. They had so much of patience and showered their mother with kindness and love. It is actions like these that inspire others to do good.That is why the prophet (saw) emphasized on all of us exhibiting good character...On the flip side of things I witnessed two Saudi women with pride and arrogance. The one woman refused to stand next to two Indian woman in the bus that transported us to the plane.. She had to hold onto the same pole as them in order to prevent her from falling. She was mumbling and grumbling and displayed an attitude of I am superior than them...Whilst in the plane during my domestic flight,a Saudi woman refused to be seated next to a Sudanese Black woman . I couldn't believe that I was witnessing discrimination right in front of my eyes. To avoid conflict and issues,I stood up and swapped seats with her. To add insult to injury, I read a shocking article in the Saudi Gazette whereby a grooms family asked their son to divorce his wife on the wedding day after guests were served a five course meal, simply because they found out that the brides great grand mother was of a dark skin complexion with a more African look.I guess in this part of the world, the Prophet (saw)'s last sermon is taken for granted...I was quite pleased to witness that the porters at Jeddah airport are now being supervised quite efficiently and passengers are told not to pay them more than SR10 for their services. In the past, the airport porters would demand ridiculous amounts of money to assist passengers in transferring luggage despite earning a standard basic salary. I did mention this fiasco to a close friend of mine working at the airport and I am sooo glad that after numerous complaints by many individuals action has finally been taken...That's all for now folks...I'm completely exhausted...jet lagged....Need to jump straight into bed and cuddle up under the covers....Jumu3a Mubarak to all of you. I humbly request all of you to please remember my family and I in your prayers!!!!!