Comments on: Excuse You?

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:58:38 +0000

@Mohamd

Change takes time. It’s often slower where religion is a major force because people who dare to criticise established norms are smeared as morally or religiously corrupt.

Don’t think about about the enormity of the task, just take one day at a time and keep pushing boundaries.

By: Mohamd

Mohamd — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:36:59 +0000

I was sorry to see that the leading newspaper should apologize to the ruling party ( fundementalists). KSA is more or less in the same situation as Iranians except that in the magic kingdom, most people are brain washed into this “herd” culture. cartoons or no cartoons I see no hope for this society.

By: THE OGRE

THE OGRE — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:32:14 +0000

Hey evreryone,
I think everyone is underestimating how powerful the religious police is and how many diehard fans it has. There are so many people who are benefitted from the current situation and want it to stay the way it is.
I was so happy when the carton published because it gave me a hope that in this country one day no wrong doing would go by without a criticism but I think the apology stated that this day is too far to come anytime soon.

Thank you.

By: Norvegica

Norvegica — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:26:51 +0000

How very annoying. Really. Everybody knows that is precisely what they do, they know it, they know everybody knows it. Nobody can live in the KSA for any appreciable amount of time and not hear a story from somebody they know about such encounters and invasions of privacy. Or even experiencing it themselves. But as long as nobody talks about it or even, gasp, DRAWS it, it doesn't exist. It was not ever, ever, ever a problem at all, until the artist drew it. They are so self-serving. It's downright embarrassing. I am so sorry for the people of KSA. The religious police treats the population like they are made up of idiots and children, instead of adult people capable of thinking, "Hey, your rules are not fair at all and you do this only to annoy us and use religion as an excuse for your meddling."

By: Eman

Eman — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:50:04 +0000

brother Ahmed, can’t agree more :) this is indeed what they do so the apology of the newspaper is all nonsense!

By: Chiara

Chiara — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:44:06 +0000

Some do advocate pushing boundaries by acting first and apologizing later if necessary and only so as to keep on being able to push the boundaries. In fact journalists do this routinely in how they get information, interview others, or establish their presence on a reporting scene.

It is too bad it (any form of apology, sincere or not, explanatory or not, publication saving or not) is required, but perhaps it is a deliberate strategy or useful tactic until more fundamental journalistic reform takes place.

By: AtoOona

AtoOona — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:38:13 +0000

Unfortunately yes it is what the religious police exactly do & some of them doing worse !!
i agree with the last cartoon i won’t apology 4 saying the Truth

By: E.A.

E.A. — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:59:58 +0000

I’d recommend the cartoonist to draw a dig on the Saudi journalism policies before trying anything else. : )

By: HishMaj

HishMaj — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:10:24 +0000

We are seeing a new form of journalism in Saudi.
Controversy first, apologies later.

This could change a lot of things. Oh, well…

By: His Sweetheart

His Sweetheart — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:19:05 +0000

There was no need for an apology at all!! He spoke the truth!