90 lashes "for being in the same car as an unrelated man" - not for being raped

Submitted by Beth (United States), Mar 6, 2008 at 13:31

Dear Dr. Pipes,

I followed your links. According to the "Qatif girl" story of late 2007 that you were alluding to, entitled "Ruling jolts even Saudis: 200 lashes for rape victim," the rape victim was sentenced to 90 lashes FOR BEING IN THE SAME CAR AS AN UNRELATED MAN. "Her case has been widely debated since the court sentenced her to 90 lashes a year ago FOR BEING IN THE SAME CAR AS AN UNRELATED MAN, even after it ruled that she had subsequently been raped." This particular punishment was not for "being raped." Please consider correcting your article.

Many thanks for all your hard work.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".