Rape and Slavery - Traditional Muslim Behaviors

(Centennial, Colorado) A 37-year-old Saudi, Homaidan Al-Turki, was convicted recently of 12 felony counts of unlawful sexual contact with use of force, one felony count of criminal extortion, one felony count of theft, and counts of false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.

The convictions resulted from Al-Turki's enslavement and repeated sexual assault of an Indonesian housemaid over a period of five years. Regarding his convictions, Al-Turki asserted that no crimes were committed and that the prosecution resulted from anti-Muslim prejudice.

From Daily Times-Call:

"Your honor, I am not here to apologize, for I cannot apologize for things I did not do and for crimes I did not commit," Homaidan Al-Turki told the judge in a voice choked with emotion. "Attacking traditional Muslim behaviors was the focal point of the prosecution."

Therefore, a prudent observer must assume that rape and slavery are 'traditional Muslim behaviors.' Historical evidence would support the contention but I never thought someone would be dumb enough to say so.

As an aside, although Al-Turki's story doesn't seem to have been suppressed, it also doesn't seem to have been widely reported and emphasized in the broadcast media. It's a given that America is constantly criticized for being intolerant and uneducated about Muslim values. Yet, here's a perfect chance to introduce and inform the public about some of the basic principles of Islam, and the mainstream media are ho-hum about it. Come on, NYT, WaPo, CNN, NBC, inform the American public about the traditional Muslim behaviors so there is more tolerance.

Regarding Al-Turki's fate, last Thursday he was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison for his crimes. Notably, he may face additional punishment from a scheduled October federal trial on charges of forced labor, document servitude and harboring an illegal immigrant.

Also worth mentioning is that the Saudi Arabian government has bankrolled at least a portion of Al-Turki's defense and, according to a report in today's Arab News, the Saudi's are not finished acting on Al-Turki's behalf.

"The Saudi government under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will do everything possible (in this case). We take care of our citizens wherever they may be and it's the duty of the state to follow up these things," the Saudi Press Agency quoted Prince Ahmad as saying.

Speaking to reporters after opening an educational exhibition in Makkah, Prince Ahmad confirmed the government's efforts to win the release of Al-Turki. "We think that the sentence was unfair," the minister said about the court verdict.

For a nation that is known to chop off heads, arms, and hands and gouge out eye sockets, often for minor offenses, it seems entirely inappropriate for the Saudis to weigh in on the fairness of America's justice system. Nevertheless, it appears that Al-Turki's conviction and sentence is turning into an international controversy.

Check also: Debbie Schlussel and Wizbang