Muslims are against freedom of speech?

Feud With King Tests Freedoms In Morocco

This week, Moroccan prosecutors are scheduled to resume a criminal trial against Nadia Yassine, a leader of Justice and Charity, an underground Islamic movement that has become increasingly aggressive in testing the rule of King Mohammed VI. Yassine, 47, was charged last June with publicly criticizing the monarchy after she stated in a newspaper interview that the country would be better off as a republic than as a kingdom.

"I don't think we'll die if we no longer have a king," Yassine said then. She could be sentenced to three to five years in prison and receive a stiff fine if she is convicted.

Here we have yet another example of a reformer in the MENA region who is fighting her authoritarian regime. Finally, a major Western paper gives her some ink, a rarity in this day of Hate Muslims First that is prevalent in Western rhetoric. What's more, Nadia's group, Justice and Charity, is an Islamic organization. (What's that, did I hear rightwing minds shudder?) Of course, we hear the usual "they won't tolerate democracy if they are elected to power" rhetoric. How do we know? Islamic governments in more liberal and developed societies have never been given the chance to govern, unless you count Turkey, which has done a fine job of balancing Islam and government.

I'm not saying I don't believe that secularism is not the best way to go. I simply think that giving Islamic groups the chance to govern would be a stepping stone to a more progressive form of democracy. Democracy can never flourish if some groups are oppressed.

On a side note, the constitution of Morocco makes it illegal to criticize or insult the king. Doesn't the American right want to see the same thing?

Nadia's website has contact info. Why not write her and give your support?