Saudi artist pooh-poohs Daesh death threats

JEDDAH: Saudi artist Nasser Al-Qassabi has been the target of death threats from Daesh after the airing of the first two episodes of his series, “Selfie,” in which he portrays the atrocities carried out by the terror group in Syria.
“My account is overflowing with insults and threats, but I respond with total calm by wishing them Ramadan Kareem,” tweeted Al-Qassabi after the first episode aired.
A direct threat received from someone named Julaybib Al-Jazrawi reads: “I swear to God, you will regret it, and the Mujahedeen will not relax until they separate your head from your body and the days are between us.”
The first two episodes of the series show Al-Qassabi’s son going for jihad in conflict areas, but he is followed by his father attempting to bring him back before he becomes involved with Daesh.
Al-Qassabi discovers the presence of a number of Saudis there and goes along with them hoping to convince his son to return. Eventually, he is discovered and the chief of the group intends to execute him, but Al-Qassabi’s son emerges and requests that he be allowed to execute his father.
Social networking sites have seen a significant reaction by the Saudis, with many tweeting under the hashtag #Thanks Nasser Al-Qassabi.
“Maybe we disagree about Nasser Al-Qassabi, but we can all agree that the two episodes about Daesh are significant and more impactful than the efforts of ministries worth billions,” tweeted Hafez Al Medlej.
Bahrain’s foreign minister commented on his account, saying: “Jihad by word and image is no less important and powerful these days in facing the enemies, including the Houthis and Daesh, because these methods reach every home, room and mobile phone. #Thanks Nasser Al-Qassabi.”
However, preacher Saeed bin Farowah described Al-Qassabi as a kafir after the first episode of the series, but soon withdrew his statement on Twitter, noting he made a mistake and had no
right in excommunicating anyone.
Saudi writer Halima Muzaffar said that criticism of religious groups does not equate to criticism of the religion as a whole, and those who believe they are religious must understand this very well.
Writer Yahya Al-Amir tweeted: “Daash in Iraq, in Syria, and in Libya is fought by America and the whole world but there is no mobilization of public opinion against it, as has been achieved by Selfie.”
In remarks to Al-Arabiya TV, Al-Qassabi expressed his conviction with his role in the first episodes of the program, noting in response to the death threats that “the Protector is God.” He said he believes the series is also a form of jihad against those who believe they are
Mujahedeen.
He said as a Saudi citizen of this country he is entitled to express his opinion and is confident in the protection of God, while the task of the artist is to uncover the truth regardless of the risk and should be willing to pay the price.
Al-Qassabi said he plans to resort to judicial authorities against those who distort his reputation, stressing that he will not take action against the sheikh who excommunicated him because he withdrew his statement.