Saudi Arabia bans crosses, but crucifixion is OK. In fact, there's one happening soon

By Damian Thompson
November 6th, 2009

You can’t display an image of the crucified Christ in Saudi Arabia, but if you are ghoulish enough to want to see a genuine crucifixion, then the Kingdom is planning to stage one soon.

Saudi’s Court of Cassation has confirmed that it will crucify 22-year-old kidnapper and rapist Muhammad Basheer al-Ramaly, though it won’t be following biblical precedent to the letter: he will be beheaded first, and his head will be stuck on a pole separately from his crucified torso. The following is from an Amnesty International press release:

Amnesty International UK Director Tim Hancock said: “Crucifixion plumbs the depths when it comes to grisly punishment and we’re calling on King ‘Abdullah to halt this execution, which he has the power to do. the rest