Khashoggi under fire for criticising Saudi Arabia

Famous Saudi journalist and writer Jamal Khashoggi has come under renewed criticism by Saudis, including Prince Khalid Al Saud after publishing an article on the Washington Post, Rassd.com reported yesterday.

On his Twitter account, Khashoggi wrote: “Adherence to the leadership and the country is represented by saying the right word and casting advice. This is what I have done and what I will continue doing.”

This post was one of his replies to the tirade of criticism he received following the publication of his article. Prince Khalid Al Saud wrote: “Save your advice for yourself. Our guided leadership does not need advice from you and your likes.”

Khashoggis replied:

Be a little more humble Prince. The leadership which does not listen to its subject loses too much and it does not say ‘does not need your advice and your likes.’ All of us are partners in the country.

“You advice your country through foreign papers!! You should follow the advice etiquettes in order to achieve your aim. This is how the loyal act.”

On the Washington Post, Khashoggi discussed the latest suppressive measures taken by the Saudi regime, including the detention of a number of Muslim scholars.

Read: The campaign against Saudi preachers continues

His article had the title “Saudi Arabia wasn’t always this repressive. Now it’s unbearable.” It started with a question: “When I speak of the fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming of intellectuals and religious leaders who dare to speak their minds, and then I tell you that I’m from Saudi Arabia, are you surprised?”

He posted the link to his article with a post on Twitter that reads: “I was not happy to publish this article on the Washington Post, but silence does not serve my country or those where were detained.”