Update 7.10.12 @ 12:32pm: The date for the article entitled “Saudi Arabia’s Princess Sara claims asylum in the UK” by Hugh Miles and Robert Mendick for The Telegraph UK should be July 7, 2012, and not July 9, 2012.
Women’s Rights:
Allah ordered the execution[Video]: July 10, 2012, Maryam Namazie for Free Thought Blogs - Sunday, July 8, 2012, members of the Taliban executed a woman right outside of Kabul, because she purportedly committed adultery with one or more members of the Taliban. In what way did she “commit” adultery? Maybe she was raped, maybe romantically. To these men, the “how” was irrelevant. She was irrelevant, and her execution was simply a means of “settling” a dispute among them. Fawzia, Kufi, a female member of the Afghan Parliament who is considering running for President in the 2014 Afghan elections, knows something about extreme gender discrimination/execution. She was condemned to die at birth for being a girl, and is now a champion of women’s rights in Afghanistan. She not only is a lawmaker, but also an advocate of girls’ education. She speaks out against the incident in the accompanying video. [read more...]
To read or listen to Inter-Global Media Network’s Internet Radio Show Pump Up The Presence Broadcast 65, in which we discuss Ms. Kufi’s rise to power and Presidential aspirations, please click here.
Saudi Arabia’s Princess Sara claims asylum in the UK: July 9 7, 2012, Hugh Miles and Robert Mendick for The Telegraph UK – this story went viral yesterday. Small wonder. Princess Sara, daughter of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud and the late Moudie bint Abdul Mohsen Alangary, the Prince’s third wife. Princess Sara has had a falling out with her father, reason unknown, since 2007. Subesquently, she left for London, where she has since resided. She’s been dubbed the “Barbie” Princess, because of prior her favored status with grandfather King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, founder of the Saudi Kingdom, and her father, Talal bin Abdulaziz. He is also known as the Red Prince, and for his more liberal views. According to the Telegraph,
“The claim, the first ever made by such a senior member of the ruling family’s inner circle, will embarrass the Saudi dynasty and threatens a diplomatic row.”
Purportedly, the late Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al Saud, her uncle, and an adversary of her father, was a strong advocate of the Princess, but he died last month. He had been head of Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry, and who had been named heir apparent only months before his death. He died June 16, 2012. It was after his death that she began to press for asylum. It seems that Princess Sara’s situation is a symptom of the escalating power struggles taking place within the Saudi Royal Family. Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, from 2005 to 2011, died October 21, 2011. Described as living in a suite and also occupying several other rooms in a five-star London hotel with her four children and two dogs, she claims
“I’ve been physically abused. I’ve been mentally abused. My assets have been frozen. They’ve accused me of being in opposition [to them] with Iran, they haven’t left anything. I’ve been crucified in every way.”
Princess Sara’s assets may be frozen, but she seems to have an undisclosed benefactor who foots her bills.
In 2009, Princess Sara’s passport expired, and the Saudi Embassy wouldn’t issue a new one. Her visa has also expired, and she faces possible deportation.
On July 6, 2012, Princess Sara’s lawyers informed the British Home Office of her intention to seek asylum. The British government is faced with the difficult task of getting at the truth of the matter and whether or not to grant her asylum. Saudi authorities seek her return.
At the heart of the matter might be the battle ensuing between Princess Sara and her full brother Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud over their dead mother’s financial assets estimated at £325 million. Who is to know what is really going on here, and why Princess Sara fears being sent home. Only time will tell, and hopefully not too late. [read more...]
