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January 11, 2006
UAE: Anti-Muslim Air Rage Lands Briton A Jail Sentence in Dubai
At present, Roger Caine from Birkenhead, Liverpool in the UK, is very sober, as he is residing in a Dubai jail, following a three month sentence for "deriding Islam, physical assault and excessive alcohol consumption". In a court in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai, allegations were heard that 56-year old Mr Caine had boarded a flight to UAE from Manchester on December 1st 2005.
He had started drinking beer and spirits after boarding, and five hours into the flight he was plastered. According to the Liverpool Daily Post, the chaos started when a female flight attendant, who is Egyptian, refused to serve Caine any more whisky.
Caine stormed to the back of the plane, and tried to strangle the attendant. He was shouting "You should be terrified of me. I am Jewish and you are all Muslims," his words aimed at the Eqyptian and another female flight attendant.
Passengers and cabin crew restrained him, and he was arrested on touchdown. He was kept in custody until his trial.
On Monday, he was given a three months' prison sentence, and also a fine equivalent to $1,700. Caine apologised to the court, and said he was normally a "frequent flyer", but the drink had provoked him to such behaviour.
I agree that drunken air rage should be punished severely, but to be convicted for "deriding Islam?" Why do people from Islamic countries have to protect their religion with draconian laws? Is their faith not strong enough to stand the criticisms of non-believers? Or is there something inherently intolerant about Islam in the first place?
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at January 11, 2006 7:23 AM
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