JEDDAH, 17 April 2005 — Capt. Jalal Al-Gharbi has agreed to stop beheading and eating snakes as part of his public show after an article appearing in Thursday’s Arab News sparked outrage among parents and animal lovers.

Facing a complaint by Tahlia International Veterinary Clinic set to be filed against him today with the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Al-Gharbi told Arab News: “I didn’t think it was such a big deal, but if people don’t like it, then I will stop.”

Al-Gharbi performs twice a week at Al-Abraj, part of the Naptco amusement group. During the show he chews the head off of a live snake, eats a piece of it, then removes the skin from the still writhing snake using his hands and teeth.

Dr. Deborah Zahid, owner of the veterinary clinic and an animal rights activist, was horrified after reading the article in Arab News. She said, “This is cruel and inhuman and must stop. I’m going to do everything I can to stop him.”

On Thursday, Arab News spoke with Al-Gharbi who said: “I liked the story and I accept the challenge.” Al-Gharbi was referring to a comment by Hesham Ahmed, who attended the beheading at Tihama Park and whose comments appeared in Thursday’s article.

Ahmed was quoted as saying, “I wasn’t impressed. He should at least even the odds by placing a poisonous adult king cobra in his mouth and try to bite its head off instead of a harmless garden snake’s.”

Al-Gharbi said: “I invite you and a photographer to come to Al-Abraj this coming Wednesday. I will accept the dare and put a cobra in my mouth and bite its head off.”

When told of what Al-Gharbi was planning, Dr. Deborah Zahid said, “Is he crazy? He is not normal. This is barbaric. ... Instead of promoting our children’s education what Al- Gharbi and Al-Abraj are doing is traumatizing them. I am going to do everything to stop it.”

“It is against our religion, and it is hurting our children and the snakes. Admittedly, snakes are unpopular here, but nonetheless they do still feel pain,” she continued.

Al-Gharbi realized yesterday evening that the clinic was about to act against him, he has changed his mind. Al-Gharbi now says he will continue with the act, but will not include the beheading and consumption.

“Come to my show on Wednesday. I won’t be killing any snakes, I promise, If you ever see me eat another snake, then proceed with the complaints, but in the meantime give me a chance to show my good intentions,” he said.