The appeals court in Mauritania sentenced writer Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mkhaitir to death after he was found guilty of charged with riddah (apostasy in Islam) after his arrest for publishing a column in which he spoke about events that took place during the time of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). The supreme court later annulled the death sentence, but this was not accepted by the Mauritanian people, as the capital Nouakchott saw protests that spread to many other cities.

As usual, the protestors walked in huge demonstrations and carried slogans demanding that the death sentence be upheld and carried out quickly. Along with the protests there were property damages and obstruction of people's business, all this to punish the 'atheists' and the writer for rejecting the repentance announced for him.

What happened in Nouakchott and other Mauritanian cities, also happened in tens of Islamic and Arab cities and capitals a hundred of times. Here we must clarify that it is the right of all people to protest, peacefully, whenever their sacred beliefs and symbols are compromised, as this is a normal matter. But to go out in demonstrations and damage public property, instead of resorting to the executive and judicial authorities to get their rights from suspects, is not acceptable.

During the past three years, Daesh has committed savage actions, characterized within the most gruesome bloody crimes of modern era, which harmed the image and reputation of all Muslims, individuals and countries, especially those who have been living for decades in the Western countries. And while all this was happening, we did not see a single Muslim organizing a demonstration to protest against Daesh's criminal actions.

Also, all Muslim countries, without exception, are in the bottom ranks of development. But despite that, we did not see one single demonstration to protest their miserable situation. Most of these countries lack democracy, basic liberties, honest governments, accredited universities, medicine, hospitals and paved roads, but no one demonstrated in protest of the absence of all those vital matters.

Most Arab and Muslim countries are suffering from clear poverty, crimes, drugs, political and administrative corruption. But despite that, not one single protest was carried out. But, as soon as we see a male and female student sitting next to each other in the university lecture halls or cafes, our blood boils. The same goes for those who criticize participating in national celebrations, claiming that it is not 'Islamic.'

Yes, they become furious by many scenes that they think are immoral, but they do not feel the same when they encounter a beggar. Also the scene of the army of starving Muslim children in many of our countries does not concern them. Rather, they are concerned with defending ethics, and separating men from women.-Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas

By Ahmad Al-Sarraf