The sender of the message to Khoja had identified himself as a sheikh and ended the SMS with his full name, ID number, mobile number and e-mail address. The message, according to the minister's tweet, read: You malignant. Oh Allah, put, Abdul Aziz Khoja the minister of curiosity and moves with Abu Lahab.
Abu Lahab is an enemy of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and is punished by being placed in everlasting hell.
The attacker added that even if the minister has powers now, he has to remember the Day of Judgment, where his position and family background would be useless.
The vitriolic attack was in response to the minister's written comments on the unruly incidents that took place at the Riyadh Book Fair on March 2, when some conservatives roughed up participants and relayed orders through a mike for women to dress up properly and move graciously or face the consequences. The incidents took place in front of the minister.
Khoja, following the incident, had written: The book fair mirrors our civilization and culture and we all have to be up to the responsibility. Whoever has an issue regarding the book fair could consult the concerned department in the book fair. Creating disturbances and annoying visitors is not acceptable.
Meanwhile, some women writers are opting to stay away from the fair, with Saudi author Siham Al-Qahtani canceling her Riyadh trip and also her book-signing event. The woman author told Arab News that she canceled the book signing in Riyadh fair on Saturday fearing attacks by some conservatives.
Last Wednesday and Thursday were chaotic. They were following me at the fair, chasing me from one publishing house to another while all the time pressuring me to cover myself. Even people living in Riyadh said that they have never seen such happenings even in their malls.
Al-Qahtani claimed that she and other women have been asked by some volunteering conservative groups to skip the book fair and go back home. What we are not sure is where did they get this power? I feel there is a plan to ruin the Riyadh book fair. Things were much better last year.
A number of local columnists have addressed the problem in there daily columns in local media. Badria Al-Bishr, Khalaf Al-Harbi and Ali Al-Mousa have written against the actions of the misguided few, saying, these actions are not justified.
