Mocking Beards

Hamza al-Muzaini, a linguistics instructor at King Saud University, has been sentenced to 200 lashes and four months in jail for "mocking long beards." The sentence came after an instructor of Islamic culture at the same school accused Muzaini of insulting him. Abdullah al-Barak, who is reportedly adheres to a strict form of Islam, said Muzaini questioned his knowledge in an article he published. Muzaini, who is appealing the ruling, was also barred from publishing more articles.