Batir Wardam Blog: Kareem Amer Sentence: A fate for all reformist bloggers?

I always thought it was a matter of time before the Egyptiam security and religious apparatus crack down on a blogger so harsh to send a message of intimidation to all other courageous bloggers out there in Egypt. The massive movement and impact of the Egyptian bloggers has worried the traditional repressive minds, whether they are in the regime or in the religious oppression institutions.

Kareem Amer committed the mistake of attacking both the president and Azhar. The two forces were joined and the synergistic effect was felt by the helpless blogger who does not have a support system except his readers and fellow bloggers. However, Kareem's case managed to spontaneously mobilize a good campaign including a a support site, petitions and demonstrations in Bahrain, London, Stockholm, Paris, Rome, New York(twice) and Washington DC.

The most annoying thing is the fact that his family was against him and even calling for his punishment. His father, a retired mathematics teacher, has demanded applying the Sharia [Islamic law] ruling on him by giving him three days to repent, followed by having him killed if he does not announce his repentance. This is a brutal case in which traditional religious and social convictions are even more suppresive that the regime.

The sentence on Kareem and the circumstances associted with his case are alarming and represent the very worst of all factors stopping any reform in the Arab World: here we find the regime allying with religious leaders supported by traditional social religious stagnation and very little internal popular support systems. This guy has only expressed his very wise opinions on reforming the regime and the religious institute and was jailed.

Speak out your mind, challenge the traditional political and religious apparatus and you will pay the price: this is the message sent by the Egyptian legal and religious system. I am afraid, as Egypt always leads the Arab World that the domino effect may be felt somewhere else very soon.