Dr. Awad ibn Muhammed al-Qarni (Arabic: عوض بن محمد القرني, also spelt al-Qarnee and Quranī, born 1959), is a Saudi Islamic Muslim scholar, author, and activist. He is known for his criticism of secularism and modernity and advocacy of conservative Islamic views. He was arrested in 2017 on charges of criticizing the Saudi regime. In January 2023, it was announced that Saudi prosecutors were seeking the death penalty in his case.[1]
Awad bهn Muhammed al-Qarni | |
|---|---|
عوض بن محمد القرني | |
| Born | January 1, 1957 |
| Alma mater | Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University |
Early life, education, and career edit
al-Qarni was born in 1957 (1376 AH) in the al Qarn governate of the Asir region. He received a PhD in Islamic law from the Imam Muhammed ibn Saud University. He later worked as a professor at the Abha branch of the university and at the King Khalid University.[2] al Qarni is also a trainer in neuro-linguistic programming and a member of the International Federation of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.[3] Dr. Wyatt Woodsmall, the president of the International Federation of Neuro-Linguistic Programming converted to Islam as a result of conversations with al Qarni.[4]
Views edit
al Qarni is most well known for his criticism of secularism in modernity, most notably in his book "Modernity in the Balance of Islam." This book was highly influential on the Sahwa movement which included other Saudi scholars such as Safar al Hawali.[5]
He was one of 26 signatories of a statement calling for jihad against the American-led occupation of Iraq during the Iraq war.[6] He argued that the global war on terror was "fabricated" by the West to colonize Muslim countries and destroy their way of life.[7]
Criticism and controversy edit
Saudi state-backed media has described al Qarni as a "preacher of hate" and accused him of using TV interviews to "glorify terrorism, spread conspiracy theories and launch tirades against the West."[7]
At one point, he was involved in a public argument with a prominent Houthi figure who accused him of plotting to assassinate the Saudi king.[8]
Arrest and prosecution edit
In 2017, al Qarni was banned by a Saudi court from using Twitter, where he had more than 2 million followers.[8] He was arrested later that year on charges of using social media to spread materials subversive to the Saudi government. Riyadh's Specialised Criminal Court convicted him for spreading content on Twitter which "could jeopardise public order and provoke public opinion" and "could affect the relationship of the people with the leadership, and the relationship of Saudi Arabia with other countries."
His son, Nasser al Qarni, fled to the UK in the aftermath of his father's arrest. al Qarni's son described his arrest in 2017 as especially violent, with more than 100 armed officers surrounding his house.[9]
Written works edit
- Human Rights in Islam
- Modernity in the Balance of Islam
- Provisions of Freedom in Islam
- Provisions of Testimony in Islam
- The Issue of Palestine in the Balance of Islam
References edit
- ^ FP, Explainers (January 16, 2023). "Explained: Who is Saudi Arabia preacher Awad Al-Qarni sentenced to death for using Twitter and Whatsapp?". Firstpost. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Fahey, Ryan (2023-01-15). "Famous academic sentenced to death for sharing articles on WhatsApp and Twitter". mirror. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ^ "Who are the key Sahwa figures Saudi Arabia is cracking down on?". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ^ "al Arabiya channel". July 22, 2007.
- ^ Al-awsat, Asharq. "Middle-east Arab News Opinion". eng-archive.aawsat.com (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ Whitaker, Brian (November 8, 2004). "Saudi call for jihad". The Guardian.
- ^ a b "Detained Saudi preacher Awad Al-Qarni: Justifier of terror". Arab News. 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ^ a b Arab, The New (2017-03-17). "Popular Saudi cleric critical of US 'banned from Twitter'". www.newarab.com. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ^ "Saudi preacher's home 'looked like battlefield' during arrest". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2023-01-17.