Sami Ben Gharbia has been working on a randomizer badge for Free Fouad campaign that will display and randomize some of Fouad’s quotes. Sami asked me to help him with translating these quotes, and I thought it would be good to post them here too so you can learn more about Fouad and what he believes in.
First, here’s some selected quotes:
It is only the feebleminded who would use guns and violence to deliver his message.
We desperately need a time of calmness and reconciliation between the different leaderships in our society: Islamists, liberals and the government.
If you were a free citizen and think you have the right speak your mind on what is happening in our country and have something to say, be brave and say it in your real name.
In Saudi Arabia, there is no guarantee that you won’t be arrested because of your frankness and speaking your mind on your blog. But there is also no guarantee when you hide and write in internet forums using a pseudonym.
My advice to anyone that cares about common interest and is angry over what is happening in our country and keeps on writing at internet forums using a pseudonym is to join the blogging world and write using his real name to contribute positively in building the Saudi blogosphere.
And here’s a list of 25 reasons for blogging Fouad presented after he came back from his hiatus:
Why Do We Blog?
1. Because we believe we have opinions that deserve to be heard, and minds that should be respected.
2. Because societies do not progress until they learn to respect opinions of their members. And we would like to see our society progressing.
3. Because blogging is our only option. We do not have a free media, and freedom to assemble is not allowed.
4. Because we want to discuss our opinions.
5. Because we think.
6. Because we care.
7. Because blogging has had a positive effect on other societies and we want to see the same result in our society.
8. Because blogging is a reflection of the life of society members. And we are alive.
9. Because blogging is gaining increasing attention from media and governments. We want them to listen to us.
10. Because we are not scared.
11. Because we reject the cattle mentality.
12. Because we welcome diversity of opinions.
13. Because the country is for all, and we are part of it.
14. Because we want to reach out to everyone.
15. Because we refuse to be an “echo”.
16. Because we are not any less than bloggers in other societies.
17. Because we seek the truth.
18. Because our religion encourages us to speak out.
19. Because we are sick and tired of the Saudi media hypocrisy.
20. Because we are positive.
21. Because blogging is a powerful tool that can benefit society.
22. Because we are affected and we can affect.
23. Because we love our country.
24. Because we enjoy dialogue and don’t run away from it.
25. Because we are sincere.
Saudi Jeans 
I hope he back to his home and his blogger. But I think all this surferring will help people in KSA and in the entire world. Revolution!
My good wishes for him!
(from brazil)
Dear Fouad
I have read about you in a danish newspaper. In Denmark we are free to speek, making political parties and have our own political opinion. Your blog is necessary. You argue for freedom and human rights which we have had here in Denmark in many years. I hope you will succed and soon come out of jail. I also hope Saudi Arabian will be a free country, where the human rights will be respected.
With regards
Klaus Ankerstjerne Eriksen
from Denmark
Excellent quotes. I love the 25 reasons for blogging. Makes the people who arrested Fouad look even greater idiots.
Crap. Now I don’t know what to think. I supported Fuad all this time, but now that I see one of his supporters is you (an American in Saudi attire), I’m conflicted. Please do us a favor and migrate to the US. They’ll appreciate your way of thinking there more. We have enough of your kind here as it is, you know, the “enlightened” ones. Beat it, kid.
Bravo Fouad. There is a diffinete need for a change in the mindset of the stupid officials in the government. Today, it’s you, tommorrow it would be the turn of Abheer Mishkas, Faiza Ambah, Ethibal Mubarak, Rasheed Abou Samh,and so on. No government has survived by throttling the voices of dissent. The Americans are for democracy in the Kingdom. The fate of the members of the royal family would be no different than that of Marcos, Reza Pehlavi, Noreiga. All those trying to throttle the voices of the people of Saudi Arabia would have to one day face the fate as that of the Sabbahs of Kuwait who had to run for their lives during the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussain.
And mind well, the Americans have made up their minds and hatched a conspircy to bifucurate the Kingdom into two. Democracy is knocking the doors of the rulers of the Kingdom. Only idiots would not be able to read the writing on the wall. All the puppets of the regime that includes the Jubair brothers would have no one to save them, when revolution for democracy takes place, ofcourse with the help of the Americans and the Western countries. Don’t throttle the voices of the people or you would not be there Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz or your government. People’s anger would put all such criminals to hang, like that of the Saddam and his gang.
Hello Fouad,
We saluate you for your courage to speak out what others fears to do in the Kingdom. You are a great solider, and the world community is beyond you. The Saudi rulers and their lackeys would pay a heavy price for their actions in detaining you.
I think that America would have to step in and put the Saudi government in its place. These hypocrites talk of justice, when there is none in the Kingdom. Frankly speaking, the time has come for a change, for a democratic system in Saudi Arabia, where there is no freedom of thoughts or expression, where there is no justice, where there is dynasty rule. Billions of dollars have been gulped by the royal family of thousands of princes and princess, while the citizens are deprived of many benefits that they deserve. Gagging the voice of people in the Kingdom is going to be counterproductive. What I forsee is now a revolution by the people, if the rulers and government of Saudi Arabia does not come to senses. Free Fouad immediately. Give freedom to the people to express their views, dont gag them.
While it is commendable that you are trying to voice your views and hope for change. As long as there is no democratic freedom in Saudi Arabia along with a change in the education system (churning out Islamists does nothing for the country which needs scientists, engineers and other science based professions) but has to rely on the west to provide the much needed professionals and will not be able to advance scientifically until it can provide an educational/political system in in line with the rest of the world. Putting a sheet over your head and praying several times a day does nothing for a countries economic/[political advancement
Keep up the good work!
That is an excellent list. It’s as sincere a thought about blogging as I’ve ever seen. Excellent!
Thank you Fouad for being like you are. We need more and more courageaous people like you.
May you actions inspire many more to lead the muslim world to a much needed revolution.
From Spain
Freedom of speech is a god given right and no government should take a way from anyone. However the Saudi government targeted people like Fouad for speaking the truth and he should not be in jail. Instead he should be a model for next muslim generation around the world. Inconclusion, free Fouad!!!!
Fouad al-Farhan Jailed
A view on international politics.
It is many times better to blog that to do it on the streets.
Sometimes when you achieve recognition for something you do well you may attract the wrong kind of people. If Fouad al-Farhan had been asked by criminals for help in freeing their friends in jail, What are his choices? He could be under government protection now. That might not be the case in this situation but we need to understand. The man disappeared almost a month ago and we just found out he was arrested. Detained against his will is arrest. I don’t support terrorism but I do free press.
However, if Fouad al-Farhan was arrested solely for his blog content because the King didn’t like it or violate laws of expression, then I have a message for the Saudi Ministry:
Any person writing about Saudi Arabia or any other country is opening a window into your country. We learn to love and admire your country for your achievements. Reporting about internal problems in your country allows us to learn that you have problems just like us. A feeling of country brotherhood is born from this. I respectfully ask you to release this community leader for his efforts and accept the love and warmth from our country to yours.
Peaceful wishes,
Ruben Lara
I just feel so compelled to respond to some of the comments I read here.
I want to say to the first Abdullah, supporting Fouad for his right of free speech does not have anything to do with who supports him. You either support the principal of freedom of speech or not.
To Mr. AlShamsi,
It is not the right of the Americans to decide the fate or future of Saudi Arabia. It is the right of only and only Saudi Arabi citizens. Speaking about myself, I want to see this country existing for eternity. I want many changes to take place in the country but I want it to be one united country as it is today. In the same time, I don’t think that the American Government is really supporting democracy neither in Saudi or else where. American Government has always supported its interests which in many occasions were in the expense of human rights and democracy. Finally, citizens of Saudi Arabia are the only ones who are supposed to figure out what kind of change and political system they want to live under. If Saudis decide that we do not need democracy then let it be. I strongly believe that our society dynamics will enable us to reach to a stage of enough influence on the Government to adopt appropriate changes for the good of the country and its people and no one else.
Liberate tutti i Fouad del mondo
Free all the world’s Fouad
I agree with Abu Jori; Although many americans genuinly believe in the concept of freedom, and genuinly want to help others, there seems to be a lot of opportunism in America’s (the politicians) whishes to help other countries to freedom. I’m sure they would just love to ”help” SA. Or perheaps just the shiites, as they are the ones really sitting on the oil.
You don’t want any help from America. For many different reasons. And if people like Faoud wouldn’t get arrested for unknown reasons, but would be allowed to speak their minds and develop SA in an arab way, it would be the best hope for a good future. And there would be no need, or reason for other countries to feel obliged to ”help”.
Arresting people like Fouad is a major mistake by the saudi officials.
Y8x5gS rnufniggzawy
virtual dulce de leche
I’m sorry, I haven’t found out how to ”ping” yet, I just nicked this post for my ”week of Fouad”- post
“16. Because we are not any less than bloggers in other societies.”
You are probably MORE than bloggers in other societies. In Sweden, the most popular and well-read blogs belong to 17-year old girls enacting the sad female role sexist society wants them to play.
Saudi bloggers put themselves at risk and no matter what they actually write, they are actively forcing democracy where there is none. They give voice to a people that are silenced not only by their rulers, but by the extreme position they are given in a black-and-white world.
Thank you, again.
I am glad that Fouad is free and hope that he remains free!