DAMMAM — The Kingdom has a history of being internationally criticized for its death penalties and more so when videos of executions have been recorded and uploaded on YouTube or other social media, religious experts told Al-Hayat newspaper. Umm Al-Qura religious principles professor Hatim Al-Sharif said the Kingdom has always been criticized for having the death penalty. About witnesses of an execution capturing the event and posting it on the Internet, he said: “These are horrible moments that not everyone can bear to watch. “Moreover, children could fall upon these videos and this could scar them for life. It is also considered a transgression on privacy. “Yes, spreading it is important so people would know of the punishments but if spreading will cause more harm than good then there is no point to it.” Al-Sharif cited the historical incident of the apostate Abdullah Bin Abi Masloul and said the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not execute him to protect the reputation of Islam from being associated with cruelty. He added many have commented that decapitating a death-row convict with the sword is cruel but said there is nothing in religion that states decapitation must be done with such a blade. “There is evidence on executing the death sentence the same way the murderer killed his victims. “For instance, if the murderer drowned his victim then he may be drowned. “But religious scholars have differed in the matter and found the sword the swiftest and most painless way to go.” He also added there is no great significance on how the execution is done and by which weapon. “If we can find an even more merciful way of execution, then we will adopt it. “The Prophet (pbuh) said we should have mercy on death-row convicts. There is no reason to torture them before they die. “Their punishment, death, will be served to them. There is no reason to make it painful.” He also viewed that capturing the execution and posting it on social media should be prohibited unless the imam responsible for the execution permits it. Security expert Yousef Al-Rumaih said such videos could be a good deterrent but would not encourage children to view such material. “If children saw such a video they could be encouraged to be violent or perhaps might do the same when they fight with their siblings.“They could even have nightmares and be scarred for life. “Adults have the ability to put context into events and understand that the execution is a consequence to a crime; children don't have that ability.” He added that posting and sharing must not happen without legal approval. “The convict is still a Muslim citizen who has his full rights. It is illegal to capture his video and post it without any legal permission. “It is also disrespectful to the convicts. They have families and children who could watch this and that is plain cruel.”
