Tourist fined for anti-Muslim remarks

A British tourist, who cursed a vendor by calling him, the Muslims of Pakistan and Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] unfriendly, has been fined Dh5,000. The Dubai Court of Appeal yesterday convicted the 40-year-old Briton, A.G., for the offences. "The court has upheld the primary judgment [Dh5,000 fine] and rejected the defendant's appeal," said Presiding Judge Rashid Al Sumairi upon pronouncing yesterday's judgment in courtroom 22. According to the charge sheet, Prosecutor Hassan Ali accused A.G. of cursing and insulting 21-year-old H.H. Inappropriate greeting According to court records, H.H. testified that the incident happened while he was at the electronics shop where he works in Mall of the Emirates. "The Briton walked into the shop and greeted me in a non-Muslim way. I told him I am a Muslim and his way of greeting was inappropriate. Then I asked if I could help him in his purchases. Surprisingly, he asked me about my religion and where I came from. "When I told him that I am from Pakistan, he started talking about Taliban and war in Pakistan. He also said all Muslims are insane and fight and kill each other. He also said that Pakistan would dissolve soon. I countered his claims and told him that all Muslims are brothers, peaceful and help each other… suddenly he called me and my countrymen crazy," H.H. claimed in his prosecution statement. ‘Too late' He also claimed that A.G. made blasphemous remarks about the Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] and called him "unsafe" and "un-peaceful" person. "When he did so, I got mad and asked him to stop talking badly about the Prophet [PBUH] and to leave the shop. Then he left the place. I informed the security, but they told me that it was too late to report him to the police. A week later I spotted him roaming around the shop and I immediately told the security," H.H. claimed. Court records said police arrested the defendant and referred him to court. Yesterday's judgment remains subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 30 days.