From the Colorado Springs Gazette
Key Excerpts:
"A Saudi linguist convicted of sexually assaulting a housekeeper and keeping her a virtual slave for four years won a 20-year reduction in his prison sentence Friday, and his defense attorneys hope it means he'll be released from prison soon."
"District Judge J. Mark Hannen sentenced Homaidan al-Turki to between eight years and life in prison during a hearing Friday in Centennial. Hannen cited al-Turki's good behavior in prison in reducing the original sentence of 28 years to life:
"Mr. al-Turki already has been substantially punished for his conduct against the victim," Hannen said in handing down the new sentence."
"Al-Turki insists he is innocent and a victim of anti-Muslim sentiment. "
"His case has angered Saudi authorities - several of whom attended Friday's hearing - and prompted the U.S. State Department to send Colorado Attorney General John Suthers to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan and al-Turki's family after al-Turki's 2006 conviction."
"Saudi Ambassador Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir sent a letter to Hannen telling him that al-Turki's incarceration is perceived as unjust in his home country and asked for leniency partly to keep "the long-standing friendship that exists between our two countries." --read it all here.
Saudis Import Slaves to America
Daniel Pipes, New York Sun, June 16, 2005
www.danielpipes.org/2687/saudis-import-slaves-to-america
[accessed 21 December 2010]
It's shocking, especially for a graduate student and owner of a religious bookstore - but not particularly rare. Here are other examples of enslavement, all involving Saudi royals or diplomats living in America.
Saudi sheik: 'Slavery is a part of Islam'
WorldNetdaily, November 10, 2003
www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35518
[accessed 21 December 2010]
A leading Saudi government cleric and author of the country's religious curriculum believes Islam advocates slavery. "Slavery is a part of Islam," says Sheik Saleh Al-Fawzan, according to the independent Saudi Information Agency, or SIA. In a lecture recorded on tape by SIA, the sheik said, "Slavery is part of jihad, and jihad will remain as long there is Islam." His religious books are used to teach 5 million Saudi students, both within the country and abroad, including the United States.
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