Mauritania: Student Charged with Blasphemy Over Exam Paper

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Draconian, anachronistic blasphemy laws are often used to persecute a country's religious minorities and settle personal vendettas against political opponents. Imprisoning and killing those who question the dominant religion is not a move toward tolerance. It's wrong to disrespect others' beliefs, but executions will never make believers out of dissenters.

Establishment-critical narrative

Mauritania cannot remain a mute spectator if so-called atheists show a complete lack of respect for the country's blasphemy laws. Anyone disregarding or disobeying the state's religion and the Prophet Muhammad is a criminal under domestic legislation. The government is entitled to execute any anti-Islamic propagandists seeking to organize anti-religious activities, or those who blaspheme the country's culture and religion.

Metaculus Prediction


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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