Edinburgh Blackhall Mosque
Imprisonment of Kausar Uddin in Saudi Arabia
8 March 2016
After recent press coverage on the imprisonment of Mr Kausar Uddin in Saudi Arabia on the 22nd February 2016 the Blackhall Mosque would wish to state the following:
Mr Uddin who is an attendee at the Blackhall Mosque, Edinburgh, was part of a larger group who travelled to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage of Umrah. After an altercation with the Police on the 22nd February 2016, Mr Uddin was detained and thereafter imprisoned for a period of 35 days in custody.
We have serious reservations about the manner in which the authorities in Saudi Arabia have dealt with the situation and the subsequent detention and imprisonment of Mr Uddin.
Those who were responsible for organising the trip to Mecca were actively involved in trying to resolve matters to the best of their ability whilst in Saudi Arabia but with no avail. Clearly, it will be appreciated that the Criminal Justice System and its implementation is solely a matter for the authorities in Saudi Arabia. Notwithstanding the great efforts made by individuals from the Blackhall Mosque in Edinburgh who were on the trip the authorities decided to prosecute Mr Uddin.
The Blackhall Mosque has been in contact with Mr Uddins family on a daily basis since the incident occurred. Mr Uddin is a family man with young children and our thoughts are with them during this difficult and traumatic period in their lives. We remain to assist and support them throughout this period.
We join Mr Uddins family and appeal directly to the Government and to the Foreign Office to ensure that everything is being done to secure Mr Uddins liberty and safe return to Scotland.
Waqqas Ashraf
Solicitor
waqqaslegal@gmail.com
Statement on behalf of the Blackhall Mosque, Edinburgh