The Qatar Blog: The Moorman's Experiences in Qatar

One of the great things about our stay in Qatar is the interesting people we meet. The diversity is fascinating; most everyone here comes with interesting stories unusual for your typical American. Today in class I was talking with a student from Sudan. At first I thought I misunderstood her when she said "...that's when they executed my father." Turns out her father was an intellectual/academic who had written a book on Islamic justice, criticizing a common interpretation of the punishment for theft (cutting off the thief's hand). The judge gave him three days to recant. He refused, and they killed him. This was written up in the NY Times. Evidently he was serene and unrepentent to the end. A real existential hero, one who refused to compromise his beliefs even in the face of death.