20th February 2008
Grand Mufti mystified at Jedi law furore
The Grand Mufti meeting Jedi |
Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh made his comments on radio show Noorun 'alad-Darb in Saudi Arabia in which he said it was "unavoidable" that Jedi law would become accepted by 2020.
Force is strong
However, the Grand Mufti met resistance from across the political spectrum, from king Abdullah to all ten individuals allowed to speak freely in the Middle Eastern theocracy, all criticising his words.
"Infidels will never be tolerated in my land," the king declared. "Saudi law should be based on mediaeval values and immigrants must adapt to these or face the chop."
Service is not included
Speaking in his defence, Sheikh Al-Asheikh aid that Federation saw was already practised by Star Trek fans and legally recognised in some parts of Saudi Arabia and as such adaptation of Jedi law "could help community cohesion".
The Grand Mufti was dismissed as "another woolly bearded thinker" by some critics and "a threat to our unicultural society" by parts of the unfree press.
Sheikh Al-Asheikh said that "Jedi law no anger but peace, Jedi law no emotion but peace, Jedi law no passion but love, yes".
Immovable object met
While dismissing some of the more "barbaric" parts of the law, like death by being fed to a giant sand snake in the depths of the desert, or being strangled telekentically, he said that Jedi law "has much to teach us". He added that many of his critics "fear" Jedi law.
"Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering," the Grand Mufti added.
Sheikh Al-Asheikh has been dogged by controversy throughout his tenure as Grand Mufti.. In 2000 his comments that websites "hostile to Islam" should be destroyed as "evil" were deemed as "too liberal" and there were calls for him to resign.
Force is strong
However, the Grand Mufti met resistance from across the political spectrum, from king Abdullah to all ten individuals allowed to speak freely in the Middle Eastern theocracy, all criticising his words.
"Infidels will never be tolerated in my land," the king declared. "Saudi law should be based on mediaeval values and immigrants must adapt to these or face the chop."
Service is not included
Speaking in his defence, Sheikh Al-Asheikh aid that Federation saw was already practised by Star Trek fans and legally recognised in some parts of Saudi Arabia and as such adaptation of Jedi law "could help community cohesion".
The Grand Mufti was dismissed as "another woolly bearded thinker" by some critics and "a threat to our unicultural society" by parts of the unfree press.
Sheikh Al-Asheikh said that "Jedi law no anger but peace, Jedi law no emotion but peace, Jedi law no passion but love, yes".
Immovable object met
While dismissing some of the more "barbaric" parts of the law, like death by being fed to a giant sand snake in the depths of the desert, or being strangled telekentically, he said that Jedi law "has much to teach us". He added that many of his critics "fear" Jedi law.
"Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering," the Grand Mufti added.
Sheikh Al-Asheikh has been dogged by controversy throughout his tenure as Grand Mufti.. In 2000 his comments that websites "hostile to Islam" should be destroyed as "evil" were deemed as "too liberal" and there were calls for him to resign.
