Author: Nirmala Carvalho
Publication: Asia News
Date: February 6, 2010
URL: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Brian-O'Connor:-discrimination-and-religious-intolerance-the-evils-of-Saudi-Arabia-17554.html
A Christian of Indian origin, O'Connor spent
seven months in the prisons of the Kingdom on the false accusations of proselytism.
He stresses that the "unlimited powers" of the religious police
perpetrate crimes and violence. He prays every day for the country, the rulers
and administrators.
In Saudi society, "discrimination and
intolerance" are an "evident" matter of fact, exacerbated by
the "unlimited powers" enjoyed by the muttawa - the kingdom's religious
police - who perpetrate crimes, violence and promote a system of widespread
corruption. This is the statement of Brian Savio O'Connor, a Christian of
Indian origin, for 7 months and 7 days a prisoner, chained and tortured in
a Saudi jail on charges of proselytizing.
For his release Asia News had launched an
international campaign. We asked the 41-year Christian in Karnataka - who
has launched a centre for orphaned children, open to any religious faith -
to comment on the results of an investigation into the political and social
situation in Saudi Arabia, carried out with a poll conducted in November 2009
by Pechter Middle East Polls, a private polling institute based in Princeton
(United States).
Below the Asia News interview with Brian O'Connor:
Q.: Mr O'Connor, where does the problem with
corruption begin?
A.: Unless the Saudi kingdom, permit Religious Freedom and respect the Spirit
of Reciprocity, corruption will continue to plague the Saudi Kingdom and have
disastrous social consequences. The 'muttawas' have unquestionable powers
and yield their powers to harras people of other faiths, evidence is planted,
prayers in the privacy of the homes are cause for arrests and jail terms,
While these are also the ways and avenues for corruption of these 'police.
Q.: What was your experience of corruption
in jail?
A.: [Prison] is a haven for corruption, any favours could be 'bought for a
price' from the jailors, and for the non- muslims, it was even worse, they
would be attempts by the jail authorities to subtly get us to renounce my
faith and embrace Islam, and this was the case with most who were thrown into
jail on fabricated (faith based) cases. The corruption had even stooped to
a level that even a change of name to a Mohammedan one sufficed to some fringe
benefits inside the jail. It is significant that arbitrary powers of the Muttawas,
have spurred the rise of religious fundamentalism which has implications for
social development, for social justice and human rights.
Q.: Can you describe to readers your days
in the Saudi Kingdom?
A.: In Saudi society, discrimination and in tolerance toward non-Muslims is
evident and it is worrisome, that all this lacks transparency, to there can
be cases of indiscriminate harassment of non- Muslims leading to human rights
abuses. In my humble opinion, it is the rigidity of the Saudi society, and
denial of religious freedom that, engenders fundamentalisms. However, from
recent account, in Riyadh (where I lived), the muttawahs have lessened their
vigilance and harassment/intimidation of private worship and this is encouraging.
Q.: What according to you can help Saudi emerge
from this corruption and extremism?
A.: It is known that in the Saudi Kingdom Freedom of religion is legally not
recognized and this opens avenues for legal sanction for corruption. In order
to weed out the source of corruption, it is urgent that by Law, the Saudi
authorities ensure protection for private worship for all religious groups,
curb harassment of religious groups, and promote tolerance toward all religions.
Q.: What about Muslims, are things easy for
them?
A.: For our Muslims brothers and sisters, the issue of Religion does not arise;
however, such strict and rigid laws on Religious Freedom are bound to impact
society as well- even for our Muslim brethren. From my experience, on the
one hand the clerics attempt to impose a dogmatic world view, and dogmatic
ways of interpreting truth, religious texts and the world with intent to control
the individual and/or society as a whole. While on the other, they discourage
those who challenge their world vision and staunchly oppose any democratic
values and, pluralism.
Q.: How has life been for you after your jail
term in Saudi?
A.: I am married, my wife Liza and I have two children. Here in Hubli, Karnataka,
we have stated a "Disciple Training Centre', transmitting faith to pastors
and the lay people. Everyday I pray for the Saudi Kingdom, for the rulers
and administrators that Freedom of Religious may be permitted for the good
of the Saudi kingdom and for its people.
