Every Friday, from now until May 22nd, Saudi Arabian human rights activist Raif Badawi will be publicly flogged. He was accused of criticizing senior Islamic religious figures, and sentenced to 10 years in prison and 50 lashes per week for 20 weeks as a result - all for creating a public forum for discussion that "violates Islamic values and promotes liberal thought." He has now suffered two of one hundred sessions. Saudi Arabian authorities have condemned Raif to prison for seeking to bring about to change, and for fighting for the freedom of expression.

Their ambassador to France walked hand in hand in Paris, not more than two weeks ago, in a march of solidarity for the same values for which they are now lashing Raif. The Saudi government ought to release Mr. Bawadi and show that they truly believe in the principle of freedom of speech for which they marched on January 11th.

As a Jordanian citizen, and having been born and raised in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, I was raised in a gated expat community for the better part of the first fifteen years of my life. But I did spend a great deal of time “beyond the gate.” It was during those experiences during which I saw a very different Saudi Arabia - a deeply religious state in which the government imposed religious doctrine on its people. Women were not allowed to drive and required to cover themselves from head to toe.  Men were not permitted to wear jewelry of any kind or allowed to be in public with women that were not directly related to them. My own friend was arrested for wearing a cross around his neck and my sister threatened for walking around uncovered. Those who violated the law were swiftly punished.

The radical ideology we saw violently express itself in Paris is born within those cultures that shut out and brutally punish dissent. If people in countries like Saudi Arabia are not permitted to discuss and debate freely - and are not provided with the opportunity to be convinced by another's  argument, then how can we ever defeat that radical ideology that has come to claim countless lives in countries everywhere? It is important then, that the same Saudi leaders that have condemned the violence in Paris over free speech, release Raif and show that they are ready to allow real dialogue within their kingdom.

The freedom of thought and expression must be allowed, and citizens ought to practice whichever faith they choose without fear of punishment or arrest.  Tell the leaders of Saudi Arabia to prove that they believe for the ideals for which they marched. Tell them to release Raif.

 #saveRAIF