A British businessman is facing jail for insulting the Prophet Mohammed after getting into an argument in a shop in Dubai.
Insulting Islam is a serious offence in the United Arab Emirates and can attract a fine
and a sentence of up to a year in prison Photo: GETTY
The man, named in court papers as Andrew Graham, 40, is said to have told Hassan Habib, a Pakistani computer salesman, that the Prophet was a "terrorist".
Insulting Islam is a serious offence in the United Arab Emirates, as in other Gulf countries, and can attract a fine and a sentence of up to a year in prison.
Mr Graham pleaded not guilty at a hearing in Dubai Courts on Tuesday, admitting he had an argument with Mr Habib but denying he had attacked the Prophet or muslims.
Mr Habib, 21, told The Daily Telegraph Mr Graham had seemed to be trying to pick a fight when he came into the store where he sells Dell laptops, Emax in Mall of the Emirates.
"He insulted first my country, then Muslims, and then the Prophet," he said.
"It was not the first time - he has had arguments in other outlet stores, according to my friends. But they are Indians and with me he increased the argument."
The court was told Mr Graham had got into an argument with Mr Habib about the Taliban. When Mr Habib insisted that muslims were peace-loving, Mr Graham allegedly said: "All Muslims are mad and your Prophet Mohammad was a bad man. Your Prophet Mohammad was a terrorist." Mr Graham, who had to be told to change after arriving at court wearing shorts, said: "I spoke with him about the problems between the Pakistani government and the Taliban.
"From what he said I understood that the salesman was a supporter of the Taliban. I told him he was crazy because they were terrorists and they kill people and bomb each other. I didn't say anything bad about Muslims or the Prophet." Mr Graham was remanded on bail until the next hearing on June 9, when a verdict will be handed down. He is believed to work in Qatar but to be staying near the Mall of the Emirates, as Mr Habib said he had seen him jogging nearby in the days before the incident.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/8521253/British-businessman-facing-jail-for-Prophet-Mohammed-insult.html
The court was told Mr Graham had got into an argument with Mr Habib about the Taliban. When Mr Habib insisted that muslims were peace-loving, Mr Graham allegedly said: "All Muslims are mad and your Prophet Mohammad was a bad man. Your Prophet Mohammad was a terrorist." Mr Graham, who had to be told to change after arriving at court wearing shorts, said: "I spoke with him about the problems between the Pakistani government and the Taliban.
"From what he said I understood that the salesman was a supporter of the Taliban. I told him he was crazy because they were terrorists and they kill people and bomb each other. I didn't say anything bad about Muslims or the Prophet." Mr Graham was remanded on bail until the next hearing on June 9, when a verdict will be handed down. He is believed to work in Qatar but to be staying near the Mall of the Emirates, as Mr Habib said he had seen him jogging nearby in the days before the incident.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/8521253/British-businessman-facing-jail-for-Prophet-Mohammed-insult.html
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