What Will the Saudi Government do with the infamous Blogger?

Last week the beginning of Raif Badawi's lashings began. The outcry for human rights violations were heard around the world and it looks like perhaps the Saudi Government is contemplating the possibility of reducing the sentence. Browsing the comment sections as this story has unfolded I have seen two particular Muslim perspectives - both of which agree that this is not the word of the Qur'an. The progressive view is that this form of punishment is not supported by any of the teachings; whereas the fundamentalists argue that this punishment is not enough (arguing that death would have been appropriate). What we do know is that on Friday the punishment was delayed for medical reasons and that the government will review this case. My prediction is that the prison time will likely remain, but perhaps the lashings may be lifted. We will have to wait and see how this plays out. What I can draw from this case is that word travels very, very fast these days thanks to the online realm and that the consideration for review may have come as the result of the world's reaction.

Source: BBC Source Article

-Jon Stanciu