World

Rash of Self-Immolations Continues With Saudi Man’s Fiery Death

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — A Saudi man died after setting himself on fire in the southwestern town of Samta, local media said Saturday, in what could be the latest example of a rash of self-immolations sweeping the region following events in Tunisia.

It would be oil-rich Saudi Arabia’s first such incident since an unemployed man set himself on fire in Tunisia last month protesting the economy and sparking riots which brought down the government.

Since that time there have been a wave of copycat immolations across the region, though with few fatalities.

Civil defense spokesman Capt. Yahia al-Qahtani said in a statement carried by Saudi newspapers that the man, in his sixties, set himself on fire Friday and died in the hospital.

No name or motive was given.

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheik Abdel Aziz Al Sheikh on Thursday condemned suicide even in response to harsh living conditions.

In Egypt, a 25-year-old unemployed man died in a hospital on Tuesday after setting himself on fire in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, while three others in Cairo also attempted to set themselves on fire, but survived.

Protesters in Mauritania and Algeria have also set themselves alight in apparent attempts to copy Tunisian Mohammed Bouazizi, 26, whose self-immolation helped inspire the protests that toppled Tunisia’s authoritarian president.

These incidents, though isolated, reflect the growing despair among much of the Arab public which has no real means of expressing its dissatisfaction. They are deeply symbolic means of protest in a region that has little or no tolerance for dissent.

Comments (60)

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  • pamela kay
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 9:55pm

    The progessives on the top of the ladder would never harm themselves, but they do call out to their flollowers to do their dirty deeds. To me the progressives are like a cult. They prey on those that are weak and lazy and offer them the moon to recruit them. Promising that they will have to do nothing to recieve their free benefits. We all know the old saying “If it sounds to good to be true…..” For what ever reason those that follow ignore all the warning signs. The monsters among us in this country for the most part are hidden. When they all choose to reveal themselves is when we will be in big trouble. They pretend to be far more civilized than those in the mideast but are equally as capable of the hurendous acts as those from the mideastern countries. They will just have someone else do their dirty deeds so they don’t have to get their hands dirty.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • tobefreeinmt
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 9:02pm

    Do they need more matches?
    Wow! Throwing a tantrum is taking on a whole new meaning. Hey Liberals, wanna show your support?
    Ya. That would show us conservatives. Torch yourselves up in protest.

    Report Post » tobefreeinmt  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 7:51pm

    It’s also a sign that their Islamic society is imploding.

    The Islamic State thrives on death and destruction and chaos. There is no redeeming tenets of Islam.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 4:18pm

    About 800 million to a billion more and much of the worlds problems will be solved.

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 1:44pm

    Seems they should recheck their plan.. not going to help by killing yourself by fire.. better to try to take an oppressor with you.. at least you would go out in a blaze of glory and helping rid your country of another oppressor.. chances are you won’t kill yourself just Mame yourself but after getting a higher up they are sure to make sure you dies faster..this is NOT a laughing matter.. it is serious.. and NOTICE we are ignoring it for the most part.. the poor slobs who watch MSM won’t know whats going on if it hits here..

    Report Post » independentvoteril  
  • Chicago Ray
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 1:09pm

    To each his own. If someone doesn’t wish to be here, then let them go is my feeling as long as they go solo.

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
  • blindleadingblind
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:09pm

    I can agree with Slimnranger 1/22 10:31am and Chasbronson 1/22 11:21am. to murder someone (or commit suicide) is against the Commandment “Though shalt not kill”. I also know that none of us is entitled to judge others. There is one judge, who is righteous and merciful, and He will judge. I also agree with Lukeappling 1/22 11:21. It is unfortunate that what he suggest will not happen until End Times. When Jew and Gentile will have either accepted the Gift of the Cross or spend eternity away from the presence of God and possibly in hell. I say possibly because I am not their judge. Lildeb56 is right. This is not funny but a tragic look at the state of much of mankind today. Even if you don’t believe in God, I can’t believe you would wish either of these fiery ends on anyone. We can‘t know what is in a mans’ heart until we have walked in his shoes. Just be thankful that you live in this blessed country.

    Report Post »  
  • sjohn70037
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:44am

    Would it be rude to bring marshmallows?

    Report Post » sjohn70037  
  • oldchevyguy
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:27am

    I hope this not just a passing fad

    Report Post »  
  • lildeb56
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:22am

    Those poor people. To feel they have to do something that radical to get the attention of the government.Those of you who think this is funny…you are wrong. This is terrible. I am ashamed of you.

    Report Post » lildeb56  
  • LukeAppling
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:21am

    I would think as muslims learn of the love of Jesus Christ they would be fleeing en mass. Their religion threatens the world not with love but death for infidels, muslims who do not think as they do and anyone who speaks against them.

    Report Post »  
    • tompaineknowsthescore
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:49am

      because Christianity is completely peaceful as a religion cant remember any conflict in which Christianity was involved ……

      Report Post » tompaineknowsthescore  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:12am

    Ironically, Muslims smell like pork when the burn.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • lildeb56
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:23am

      That was a very cruel and inhumane post. You should be ashamed. Have you no empathy?

      Report Post » lildeb56  
  • wash1776
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:49am

    It is so hypocritical for Sheik Abdel to condemn people for commiting suicide. These EVIL leaders make all of the rules for their own benefit, make life oppressive for everyone else and have the nerve to denigrate the people they are oppressing. HOW SICK IS THAT?

    Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:40am

    Those who follow concepts that fail to glorify God will eventually find that the people for whom they support will not have the answers. Therefore the only answer to stop the pain is suicide.

    Any nation will not succeed among chaos.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
  • SlimnRanger
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:31am

    Maybe sucide is the only way out for some people,but i for one believe in God and if i were to commit sucide i can’t ask for forgiviness if i am dead so i would go to hell,these people don‘t worship the true God so i guess to them it dosen’t matter,although by now he has found out there is a God and there is a hell.

    Report Post »  
    • SlimnRanger
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:40am

      but let me add to that i do believe a person can totally loose his or her mind and is no longer acountable for their actions

      Report Post »  
    • chasbronson
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:21am

      I don’t want to go off topic ,but suicide is not “the unforgiven sin” Blasphemy of the holy spirit is, that would entail coming to the knowledge of the truth of God’s word by the Holy Spirit of God,where you know these truths to be true in its being,yet you reject it ,and reject the only way God has given to be saved.I know of no scripture that supports that common misbelief.Sad yes,will you suffer loss ,yes,but condemned to hell ,I don’t think so if you have come to and, accepted the saving grace of Jesus.

      Report Post »  
  • DevotedDad
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:28am

    When people are so desperate and they know that NO one will help them, they act in ways that defy logic. These acts show that they have lost faith in their peers, their leaders, and any political system that is in place, and have become so desperate that they are killing themselves in a horrific and painful death.

    Do you want to know the saddest part of all –

    I have had several parents tell me over the past 10 years that they wanted to light themselves on fire in front of a family court. The whole system is utterly corrupt and the corruption goes all the way to the top.

    Parents are being stripped of their rights, liberties, and their own children. They have no recourse other than to try and fight their case in a system that is totally rigged.

    No media outlet will cover the corruption.

    No politician will even talk about it.

    So, when a parent is being jailed, denied access to their kid, and left in utter financial ruins by this system with nowhere to turn, it is no wonder that torching themselves seems like an option.

    The most disturbing aspect of this fact is that everyone knows what is happening and they are choosing to ignore it. While I expect it from the corrupt politicians, it is painful that family, neighbors, and friends remain quiet while people are truly hurting.

    It is shameful.

    Don’t take my word for it….Do the research yourself.

    Better yet, I challenge you to ask 10 people if they know someone or have been seriously hurt personally by Family court or the family law process.

    I bet you don’t make it past 5…..

    Report Post » DevotedDad  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:44pm

      Don’t think that yours is the only country with that problem. I know two people personlly that got ground up in our machine. And one American dad, A Mr Fortitch who came to NZ to try and get his daughter back. Our courts dealt to him too, but had the grace to recognize the injustice of its own decision. The court justified it as being in the best interests of the child, his daughter.

      I don’t understand how the judges can stand to look at themselves in the mirror sometimes.

      Report Post »  
    • Untameable-kate
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:54pm

      I agree with you, unfortunately the parents that have to go through this have the deck stacked against them. The people in these courts have seen so many cases of abuse and neglect come through that are legitimate that they start seeing all parents that are brought before them as abusers. Also there is false reporting that goes on all the time. I had a man get angry at me and say he would call CPS and report me so they would take my child. There is no abuse in my household but he knew the most devastating thing he could do to me would to have CPS come after my child. He never did, but the threat was there and who would CPS believe? False accusations are a part of the overall problem with these agencies also.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:25am

    Suicide is never the answer and is Satanic in nature. You surely will never see God if you commit suicide.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • DashRipRock
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:20am

    Man

    and I scream like a little girl when I burn my tongue on hot coffee.

    Report Post »  
    • Thighmaster
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:27am

      Dump it on your crotch and you’ll get millions..

      Report Post » Thighmaster  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:30am

      Ha!

      You dont know my ex-wifes divorse attorney.
      Makes the IRS look like Santa Claus.

      Report Post »  
  • RestoreCapitalism
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:19am

    Well I’m not going to complain if our enemies kill themselves. The only good Jihadist is a dead one.

    Report Post » RestoreCapitalism  
    • tompaineknowsthescore
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:51am

      how do you know hes a jihadist? he was demonstrating against the saudi government whose royal family continues to fund jihad?

      Report Post » tompaineknowsthescore  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:17am

    Let me know when Olbermann lights himself. I want a first row seat.

    Report Post »  
  • dizzyinthedark
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:11am

    This is just pure craziness and if this country has people that think they can move a government with a statement such as this, I begin to ask myself what sort of government are they? Think about it, if the Tea Party started to light themselves on fire to get things passed in the House?! NUTS!

    These people need psychiatric help because they are desperate, it is not government, it is their psyche. This is just my thinking here.

    Report Post » dizzyinthedark  
  • beefjerky
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:09am

    Thank God for your constitution and representatives.

    Report Post »  
    • wash1776
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:43am

      And why would we do that? ODUMBELL and the congress are heading this country in the same direction.

      Report Post »  
  • Ironmaan
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:06am

    It is unfortunate that they feel the need to protest in this way. A better choice would be to set their leaders on fire. In that world, violence is the ONLY way any change will be brought about.
    http://guerillatics.com

    Report Post »  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:32am

      Ironmann

      Right on dude! They’ve got it backwards. DAH!

      Report Post »  
    • Untameable-kate
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:28am

      When I first saw the headline I was not feeling too sorry for them. Did you guys see the stories about the Muslimwomen setting themselves on fire just to escape the religion of peace that had enslaved them? What a horrible way to die. These men, however, have also evoked a large amount of pity in me. We have it so good in this country (for now) that we don‘t realize the extent of others’ misery around the world. It must be a pretty horrible life if people are more willing to die by fire then to live in the world their leaders have created for them.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:59am

      @Untamable

      I have heard the stories first hand from women of the muslum lands, some of them are kin to my adoptive father. The full details of what they went through at the hands of fathers, brothers and other male members of the families will give anyone nightmares for the life they have left. So, while I cannot condone suicide, I can understand in part why many women would chose dying by fire instead of the life they are forced to live.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Thighmaster
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:04am

    He will be sadly missed….NOT!

    Report Post » Thighmaster  
    • mtnclimberjim
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:59am

      Don‘t you wish all our enemy’s would do that?

      Report Post » mtnclimberjim  
    • lildeb56
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:24am

      WTF is wrong with you people? This was a human being who was obviously suffering. Karma has a way of evening things. I would be very careful what I said.

      Report Post » lildeb56  
  • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 9:53am

    These may be deeply symbolic means of protest for the area, yet I have to wonder if some of these self-immolations may be jihadists trying to set off a wave of demonstrations and uprisings to topple the existing governments. Following such a topple, even with one success, they would have a door open to influence or even control the new government to follow.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:06am

      If you read the historical accounts of what some people do who are living in countries under oppressive regimes…many decide to commit suicide. WORD UP…the dictators don’t care. You are saving them the trouble. Little good you can do if you are dead. But if you want to create your own bonfire just send out a memo in advance and we will bring the marshmallows and weenies. Can you say STUPID boys and girls?

      Report Post »  
    • 912828Buckeye
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:08am

      “No name or motive was given.” How about that for censorship.
      And you wonder why the man was demonstrating.

      Report Post » 912828Buckeye  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:19am

      @Cobra Blue

      I have studied the history of people held in the grips of oppressive regimes, and indeed to many the idea of suicidal death would be a release and a final gesture of defiance – taking their own life via their own hands instead of by the government. Sadly, we have all too many of these nations in the world, and a lot of people still do not seem to understand just how great we have it here in America – those who are born here and treat it with contempt – where freedom is allowed.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:30am

      ShadowLeopard

      Point Taken….I prefer to die with my boots on if I have a choice. Good dialogue…

      Report Post »  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 10:32am

      You know one or two of these is shocking to the rest of the world.

      But if that list gets to long

      you know hollywood will make it into a video game.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 11:56am

      @Dashriprock

      Sad but true, most likely someone is already doing so – if not already done. Hollywood reaches a new level of pathetic with each such usage of tragedy for their own political and economic gains.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:00pm

      @Cobra Blue

      I prefer my enemies do the dying, I can have a wider selection of boots the previous owners will not be needing anymore.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Kalish
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:04pm

      Wonder if the liberals over here will follow his lead ?

      Report Post » Kalish  
    • Snowleopard-the artist {cat folk artist}
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 1:14pm

      @Kalish

      Is the air pollution over DC bad enough as it is? Somehow I doubt there is enough gas to fuel a large fire for the liberals suicide incineration party if they decided to do that.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Tony
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 2:56pm

      re: 912828Buckeye,
      The Saudi news papers and national tv stations are no different from our “mainstream media”. They print what the state wants them to and any incident report will have the appropriate spin to make the crown (Obama in our case) look good. Never thought I’d yearn to read the Saudi Gazette again but compared to the NYT, WP, or just about any large metro paper..

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 3:35pm

      can owe bama donate gasoline….

      Report Post »  
    • *************************
      Posted on January 23, 2011 at 5:09am

      Can we get Obama’s commies to do the same thing? The only down side is that they would stink worse than when alive.

      [loud & rude body noises from the campfire meal; Taggart emerges from tent]
      cowboy LYLE: “How ’bout some more beans, Mr. Taggart?”
      boss TAGGART [sniffs & fans the air with his hat]: “I‘d say you’ve had enough!”
      -Blazing Saddles

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkinBadges  
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