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Saudi theater scuffle

Posted: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 2:21 PM
Filed Under:

By Charlene Gubash, NBC News Producer

Theatergoers in Saudi Arabia gave new meaning to interactive theater when they mounted a stage to punch, hit, kick and whack actors with planks during a performance.

The television network al Jazeera broadcast video Tuesday of Muslim militants attacking actors during a play whose theme was both anti-extremist and anti-liberal

The incident occurred about a month ago when the actors were performing at Al Yamamah College in Riyadh during a college-sponsored culture week.

The play, titled "Moderates Without Moderation," portrayed Saudi society as being both hijacked by religious extremists -- fanatics who advocate violence, terrorism, and fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and liberals who ape everything the West has to offer, good or bad. The play’s theme went on to contend that extremism on both the left and the right has left Saudi moderates with a lack of identity and direction.

The incident came after Islamists got wind of a play "against Islam." Some of the attackers, who were not students, were sentenced and jailed, but all have been released. Nobody was seriously injured as a result of the scuffle.

After the incident, the college performed "Moderates Without Moderation" before invitation-only audiences. 

Ibrahim Malik, the director of marketing and public relations for the college, said that this kind of incident has happened before in Saudi Arabia, and urged the government to do more to prevent similar occurrences. Islamists have previously issued death threats to comedians who lampoon terrorists and religious fanaticism. 

Malik suggested that the jailed attackers were released quickly because Saudi courts, which are based on religious law, tend to be lenient in such cases. He said the college was surprised to find out during the investigation that the ringleaders didn't even know the name of the play, and had acted only because they had heard it was against religion. 

Malik stood by the school’s decision to perform the play and said that "the university believes, as an educational institution, that they have the goal and objective to play a major role in confronting this type of trend."   

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Comments

Oh yeah. Another good example of the religion of "peace" and "tolerance". Funny, you never read any stories of Muslims anywhere actually being peacefull or tolerant whenver they get a whiff of something that in any way demeans their own religion. Islam, the religion of "perpetual outrage"!

scott, phx, az (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 3:20 PM)

Its sad that people like this will do such ridiculous and truly meaningless acts simply on the word of someone who most likely has no idea what they're talking about. I don't know if they'll ever realize that these actions are simply reversing any real progress that their country might be making and even though they say that their actions are for the good of their cause - whatever that may be at the time, that they'll never be able to be truly free from religious and/or political oppression - some of it of their own making.

Larry Valentine, Lansing, Michigan (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 3:20 PM)

Aggression begets more aggression...In the eyes of God and all humans with the spirit of and goodness of God in them will agree...Extremists who resort to violence and hate against others go against God...I see all the tormoil that is happening in the world of islam in these times is the beginning of letting the rest of the world see how wrong they are...God is now letting the world fight back....It may take a long time...but the good and the peaceful will prevail...

LK (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 3:34 PM)

I think we should the script of the play and performs here to show, people have the right to have free speach

Shahid Hussain Murphy TX (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 3:53 PM)

In other Muslim countries, they would have simply killed the actors involved and probably went after their families, too. It will be several generations before a country, that identifies itself with Islam, will ever have the freedoms that 'western' countries have had for the last 40 years. If anyone of any race, political slant, or religion has a problem with 'western' countries, but have never lived in Muslim countries, send them to a Muslim country for a month... They will be very happy to be back, if they are still alive. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press are very important, but most don't realize it, until after they have lost it. Peace.

Charles Cooper, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 4:05 PM)

Rednecks aren't exactly enlightened. They complain about a car bomb, then turn around and say we should "nuke all the ragheads".

Chris (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 4:34 PM)

IT is a shame to see how people misinterpret Islam for the sake of their own gain; dragging behind them many youths and youngsters who believe that this is the one and only ideology. We must understand that in this world; 1.3 billion Muslims live; and to make a hasty generalization about them as one reader says, “The rest of the world see how wrong they are” couldn’t be any further from the truth. It is just like claiming that Hitler and his actions is representative of Christianity. The war this reader (LK) talks about will just be what any extremist from any faith wants. Also put in mind that God must have brought Islam and made it the fastest growing religion in the United States and the world for a reason. Do you really think any faith could get rid of the other?

Benjamin (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 4:34 PM)

The scary reality is how this kind of behavior parallels events in the United States. When you have religious groups picketing and boycotting movies they've never seen, doctors who perform abortions shot and killed or scared out of practice by religious fruitcakes, it becomes harder to claim that the US is the source of all right and goodness. Extremism exists everywhere; Christianity is no refuge. The sad reality is that it only takes a minority to influence the majority when using tactics of fead and cult-like control. We should look at examples like these not with distain, but as an example of the kind of behavior we should not tolerate in our own country.

John Doe, Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 4:51 PM)

I must say that some of the opinions I've seen in this thread are simply insane. How does the scuffle that occured in the college theatre reflect bad on all Muslims? The play was written and performed by Muslims, wasn't it? This episode reminds me of the protests by Christians in the US when a play with a Black Jesus was performed, and when a display of a cross in urine was shown in NYC, etc. Are all Christians nuts because of these protests? And what is this about freedom this and freedom that? In almost all Muslim countries crime all across the board is much, much less than what you find in the US and the rest of the world. So Muslims do have the freedom to make money without having to worry about their personal safety. What more do you want from Muslims, eh?

Esam Samara, Orlando, FL (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:08 PM)

I have read the words of the Prophet and it pains me to see what a handful of so called Muslims have done (and are doing) in the name of God and the Prophet. I loath to even consider them to be Islamic. I think the Prophet would be ashamed to see what people are doing and have done in his name and in the name of God. Can these people find a better way to spit upon the Prophet and everything he stood for? I doubt it.

R. B. Chandler, Arcosanti, AZ (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:19 PM)

Hey, guys, what about OUR taliban and our Mullahs?? Granted, a differant order of magnitude, but a threat to democracy nontheless. Why is it we allow US Pharmacist's to decline to fill presciptions they don't agree with, ie, birth control, then we get our shorts in a bundle when we hear about Muslim cabbies in our country refusing to give rides to folks with bottles of liquor?? I could go on all day long with comparisons, but the bottom line is religious dictates dont belong in our society... the framers of the Constitution were quite clear on this issue. Let's not follow the same path many of these people have....

Brian Bluedog (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:42 PM)

And here we have exhibit A where any use of intellect is obliterated by the self-appointed Champions of Islam. Who cares if they know what they're talking about---it's theatre, it's an easy target. When those unwashed louts have finally killed everything fine and good about their own people and ground the rise of any kind of intellegensia out of existence, they'll be happy. They will have 'saved' Islam from logic and considered thinking. The fact that they have the entire Muslim world so scared to speak against them says volumes. When are everyday people going to reclaim their religions from these bloodthirsty fanatics? Come to think of it, when are WE going to reclaim ours? For as long as 'reformers' insist that writers are aiding and abetting black magic and the wonders of science are condemned in preference for ignorance, there will be shameful scenes like this. Charles Dickens got it absolutely right: Want and Ignorance are the great enemies of mankind and they blight every generation.

BJames (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:12 PM)

Typical. Why am I not surprised???

Ted Davidson (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:13 PM)

I love the irony, well, I'm not sure it'd be classified as irony, but the fact the a group that is like "How DARE you say advocate religous violence, now come here so I can smack you!" I just find that very amusing. I'd hate to compare this to some christian groups out here that like to boycott things they have no knowledge about, but I'm sure I a lot of people a smart enough to see that.

Vincent Pizarro,Nv (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:20 PM)

The extremists think that they are the only actors and the rest of the world should be the audience and that they are the directors and if not followed they say cut. Lets take our freedom back and let them be their own audience. They will soon tire of themself.

Ronald Nelson (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:37 PM)

Why was there not the basic security one would expect at such an event. After all, Saudi Arabia is by far not immune to terrorism by religious fanatics and home grown zeaolots. Not having seen the script of the play, the description seems to be of a work designed to influence fruitful thought on the condition of the Arab world in general and the Middle East as a whole. The Saudi leadership routinely announces the capture or killing of America's sworn enemies. Perhaps they should apply similar energy to protecting their own people from attacks and persecution.

Doug Liming, Milford, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:39 PM)

It is ridiculous that there are so many anti Muslim racist people there. "It's funny how you never hear anything peaceful about Muslims." Excuse me? have you ever been to the Middle East, or have you ever paid attention to the stories the media tries to highlight? You would be ignorant to base your impression of Muslims on media. Pick up a book, visit the Middle East, and then speak. You can marginilize a group of people for a slight minorities actions. This country is based on ideals of freedom and tolerance, yet people always jump at the chance to paint the most negative and inaccurate picture of Muslims.

Mona, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:05 PM)

Say what you will about the U.S.A. but we are a people of tolerance. We have come a long way in our short history. We may not have all the answeres and we may not always be correct in our actions but 300 million people live here in vitural peace. I hope that those who practice Islam in the U.S. let their brothers and sisters in their former homelands that it is only through tolerance of other peoples and religions that you are able to progress as a country and that the greater amount of diversity in a country creates greater freedoms.

Mark Weigel Aberdeen NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:17 PM)

How can we give away freedom? How can we defeat all the bullies in the school yard to allow any people to make choises? I hate BULLIES!

charles honea, Carnesville, Georgia (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:01 PM)

The middle east is very much behind as far as tolerance, free speech, womens rights and any other kind of human rights. They have a long way to go until they figure out their problems and their root causes. We as a country need to go full speed ahead to get off the "juice" or oil and develop sources of energy that will substitute it. This would enable us to just leave that whole region be (which is what they claim they want) and let them deal with their reality. They could not blame us anymore for all the worlds problems if we did that and they would not get our cash, thus eliminating the money that fuels terrorists, extremists and their goals...

P Viera (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:42 PM)

nothing but religious theatre ,censored television ,no rock and roll ,no booze,no tail gate parties,no playboy.no beaches . ya hoo. let's all take a vacation to saudi arabia .

stan johnson (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:57 PM)

There was a fight down at Joe Blo's bar. It didn't get any coverage at all. It had nothing to do with religion at all. Why do we have the Muslims under a magnefying glass? Why is religion getting such a bad rap in general over this stuff? America was founded on Christian beliefs that I think serve it well. Everytime something really bad happens everyone says God Bless America because that idea comforts them. Atheists seem to always blame everything on religion and the religous. Do you atheists hate all us religous people? It seems so by the coments you make. Your not snow white yourself and you act like you are.

CJ (Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:55 PM)

benjamin the pentacostal religion is the fastest growing religion in the united states just to clarify. So....Facts for facts my friend. Research them before you make such bold claims.

scot, boston, mass (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:27 AM)

How sadly pathetic... For some strange reason, throughout history, it has always seemed to be the people who have not even taken the time to find out what the name of the play is who want to shut it down and attack those involved. Few things scare me as much as religious fanatics with political agendas and yet for some reason they often seem to be so insecure that all they are capable of is lashing out at anything that even 'appears' to disagree with their view. I have always found that if through the process of examination, questioning, and research I have come to a conclusion that I believe in then criticism can not threaten me. On the flip side could I ever really believe in something that is forced on me or would I, like Galileo after recanting his assertion of the Earth's motion, still know that: "and yet it does move".

Thomas Kerchner Princess Anne Md (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:16 AM)

We are getting reports from people with a perticular agenda. Is the reports true? Or just Hog Wash. Trying to brand and show people how bad others...Islamic observers were. Think.

John Doe, Out of the world (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:21 AM)

To Scott from Phx, Az. and the other over-simplifiers: This bit of news is the news of man-biting-dog. You never hear reported in the media stories of dog-biting-man. It simply does not interest the readers. The atrocities that are committed every day, every where around the world are committed by people from every religion, and - interestingly - the total number of casualities were at the hands of Christians. But Christianity is never blamed, because Muslims respect Christ and Christianity. So, when we read the report by John Hopkins about the total number of Iraqi civilians killed, thanks to US military occupation, we don't blame Christians. We blame US military occupation. I cannot make a blind person see the truth. All I can do is tell him/her that you need to open your eyes, if his/her blindess - to the truth - is not permanent. Thanks

Ibrahim, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:47 AM)

If you look at all of the conflicts on our planet between humans, most are over differing religious beliefs. It is time for all of us to move to a different realm of the spiritual, certainly one past violence, past dogma and past our petty differences. We are all one, all part of life on this planet. Worship what you may in the privacy of your life, but stop forcing your personal beliefs on anyone else. I include all religions in this statement, whether Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, or any other. I'm tired of this ignorance. I hope we can move forward to living peacefully with one another, understanding and accepting our differences, and being good stewards of the planet and each other. PEACE!

Thomas Blomster Denver, CO (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 2:24 AM)

Mark's observations are correct but doesn't Islam require you to be a slave to it? As I understand it, freedom and tolerance are a threat to Islam and the Koran. I don't believe they want freedom or peace.....their long history would seem to support that statement.

Harry Bridges, Marietta Ga. (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 9:54 AM)

Harry Bridges...it is my understanding that Islam in its truest form...is a religion of peace, tolerance and true democracy. There are many "Christan" beliefs that have a long way to go to emphasize those same characteristics on a daily basis. I do think, if one reads history...that many more innocents have been killed in the name of Christianity. Just a thought. Look around the US. Do you not see religious groups screaming, yelling, and yes...using violence...to make their points? Muslims have lots of competion. There are radicals in every religion.

Laurie, Thompson Manitoba, Canada (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 11:01 AM)

To Ibrahim of Saudi Arabia. When you say that "we don't blame Christians, We blame US military occupation" I think you may just be externalizing your opinion as the view of all. I can say that I know this is not true. I have heard Christians being blamed in the past. I know there are two sides to every story, and religion often comes to the forefront of things when it should not be involved. To scott, phx, az. It really scares me that there are people out there who take what they see in the media and base there opinion on it. There are a lot of things you don't see. There are more Muslims living peacefully with people then not. I say this as a American Catholic who is married to an Egyptian Muslim.

Jennifer, San Antonio, Tx (Sent Thursday, January 25, 2007 10:13 AM)

Now this is ironic, so many people comment on how stupid these radicals are for attacking the actors without knowing what the name of the play was and then turn around and accuse Muslims as a whole when they do not even know what the first letter in the Holy Quraan is, let alone it's message.

Thank you Jennifer for your comment on people taking things straight from the Media... be it American or not... "Why have I never heard of Mulsims doing good deads?" Now what kind of an idiotic question is that? Since when does the media report on 'good news'... As in seriously?!?!

Ehab, West Lafayette, IN (Sent Tuesday, July 10, 2007 4:19 AM)

Again we continue to see people acting on what they think islam should be and not what it actually is. Allah said in the Quran ( translation of the meaning of quran.) " this day I have perfected your faith for you(islam) & given you the title of a Muslim."  thre is the extreme persons who take their actions out of the bounds of islam and start to opress their family and other muslims around them, that is haram in Islam to opress anyone or anything, there are persons who call themselfs muslim yet do not practise according to the quran and sunnah and make their own legislation about what is haram & halal ( forbidden and permitted.) We are taught by the Prophet Mohammed peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that we are to adhere to the quran and sunnah and learn from the people of ilm (knoweldge,) we are not to issue any fatwa our selfs, for this we will be asked on judgement day of what fatwa(rulings) we issued and why. We are also taught by the Prophet Mohammed pbuh to not talk unless we speak with daleel( proof) from the Quran and Sunnah ( the prophets actions and speech that has been recorded in hadith.)
What is portrayed in tv or in certain sects is not what the qurana nd sunnah teaches. Its about time that we educate,literate persons actually pick up the quran and hadiths of the sunnah and educagte ourselfs. as a non muslim i was actually estatic to find answerws to my questions that i couldnt find from the faith i was practising. Non of us are perfect but we can try to be polite,well mannered and have peace with ourselfs and in follow we will find it with others not matter of faith/creed/ethnicity/wealth/skin colour or what ever else people fight about.
Oh Allah, give us guidence and keep us upon the straight path that which please you and not that which causes ur wrath.Ameen.

maryam kim martin, british revert to islam, manama bahrain, persian gulf, middle east. (Sent Sunday, July 15, 2007 3:22 PM)



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