Entitled "Fear and Loathing in The Land of the Pure,"  Isaac Schrödinger's long-awaited manifesto appeared on September 25, 2006.  Far too long and much too good to be excerpted here, the manifesto is a long and colorful essay in four parts.  The first part is biographical, and clarifies how his adherence to the ideal of freedom of thought and expression has caused him to abandon the Islamic theocratic edicts of the culture in which he was raised. Part 2 details provisions of Islamic law that deal with apostasy and blasphemy, in particular Article 295C of the penal code of his native land, Pakistan. Those who are not legal scholars may content themselves with skimming legalistic details.

Part 3 fleshes out the abstractions of the law with scarifying tales--taken mostly from human-rights groups such as Amnesty International--that illustrate how the law is strictly interpreted in Islamic courts, and haphazardly enforced in the street by cops, mobs, and assassins. Just take a look at this, which Isaac published some months before the cartoon riots of last Spring, to understand that Isaac's fear for his life, if he were to be deported to Pakistan, is realistic. If the cops and courts don't get him, the mobs or assassins very well may.

In closing, Isaac restates his credo of freedom of thought and expression, and explains why, in order to be true to himself he must do and say things that would imperil him if he were forced to return.

Having come late to the party today, I can do no better than to permit others to do the wrap-up. In particular, a comment to Isaac's post makes an apt and succinct point.  In the comment, Alex says:

Well said. Unfortunately, if you were a deserter from an all-volunteer army in a free democratic nation (like Jeremy Hinzman for instance) you'd have more support for your refugee claim in Toronto than an ex-Muslim looking for a way to avoid the death penalty in a third world nation. Still, the refugee board would have to be absolutely blind not to see the merit of your case.

Indeed. Considering that Isaac describes himself not only as "ex-muslim" in the banner to his blog but goes so far as to call himself "pro-American," he is not likely to attract all that much sympathy from professional bleeding hearts.  Libertarians are another breed.  Regarding the bottom line, I will let Perry de Havilland of Samizdata have the last word:

"Read his article and perhaps do as I have done and drop your mouse heavily on his PayPal button to help with his legal expenses... it will give you some serious blogospherical karma points."

Hurry! Karma points are going fast. Just 50 Andrew Jacksons or 20 U.S. Grants or a mere 10 Ben Franklins more, and Isaac-related karma point will be out of stock.

Entitled "Fear and Loathing in the Land of the Pure," Isaac Schrödinger's long awaited manifesto appears today, September 25, 2006.  This is a long blogpost that is far too good to be excerpted here.  In the first of 4 parts, Isaac tells his own story: how his commitment to freedom of thought and expression led him to abandon the traditional Islam in which he was raised. Part 2 is a detailed exposition of various Islamic laws on blasphemy and apostasy, including Article 295C of the penal code of his native land, Pakistan.  The message for us, who live in freedom, is that in countries ruled by Islamic law, the most innocent comment here can be a capital crime there.  Just one example. Take a look at this, which Isaac innocently published in his blog in October, 2005, months before the outbreak of the cartoon riots.  Blasphemy, punishable by death in Pakistan.

In the third part, Isaac fleshes out the bare-bones abstractions of Islamic law with scarifying tales, taken mostly from human-rights activists, of how the law is applied formally in the courts, and enforced haphazardly by cops and mobs in the street.

Part 4, which must not be missed, is Isaac's eloquent and convincing appeal for help in his struggle to avert deportation and death. 

Having come late to the party, I can do no better than to quote the remarks of others...

From a commentor to Isaac's post who called himself "Alex:"

Well said. Unfortunately, if you were a deserter from an all-volunteer army in a free democratic nation (like Jeremy Hinzman for instance) you'd have more support for your refugee claim in Toronto than an ex-Muslim looking for a way to avoid the death penalty in a third world nation. Still, the refugee board would have to be absolutely blind not to see the merit of your case.

Alex is right. Isaac, who proclaims himself "ex-muslim" and [horrors!] "pro-usa" in the banner of his blog, is unlikely to get much sympathy from professional bleeding hearts.  All the more reason to follow the advice of Perry de Havilland in Samizdata, to wit--

Read his article and perhaps do as I have done and drop your mouse heavily on his PayPal button to help with his legal expenses... it will give you some serious blogospherical karma points.

Hurry! Karma is going fast. Only 50 Andrew Jacksons, 20 U.S. Grants, or a mere 10 Ben Franklins is all that is left in stock.

Contributed by John Werntz on September 25, 2006 at 03:13 PM in Current Affairs, Islamism Delenda Est, John "72nd TCS" Werntz, Pakistan | Permalink

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Posted by: John

Isaac's Plea Goes International

Aussi Dave, at IsraellyCool has picked up on Isaac's situation, saying

Isaac pleads his case to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Here's hoping they grant him asylum.

In the meantime, hop on over to Isaac's blog and leave a message of support. You can also help alleviate his legal fees by hitting the Paypal button on his site.

Posted by: John | Sep 27, 2006 9:31:18 PM