When I speak of the fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming of intellectuals and religious leaders who dare to speak their minds, and then I tell you that I’m from Saudi Arabia, are you surprised?

Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi (Arabic: جمال خاشقجي‎ jamāl ḵāšuqji, born 13 October 1958; died circa 2 October 2018) was a Saudi journalist, author and the former general manager and editor-in-chief of Al-Arab News Channel. He also served as editor for Saudi newspaper Al Watan, turning it into a platform for Saudi progressives. He was murdered and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, sometime during or after 2 October 2018.

Quotes

  • When I speak of the fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming of intellectuals and religious leaders who dare to speak their minds, and then I tell you that I’m from Saudi Arabia, are you surprised?
  • I always found it ironic when a Saudi official bashes Islamists, given that Saudi Arabia is the mother of all political Islam — and even describes itself as an Islamic state in its “ Higher Law.” (We avoid the term “constitution” because of its secular interpretation and often say that the Koran is our constitution.)
    • "Saudi Arabia wasn’t always this repressive. Now it’s unbearable." in The Washington Post (18 September 2017)
  • We are going through a major economic transformation that is supported by the people, a transformation that will free us from total dependence on oil and restore a culture of work and production.
    • "Saudi Arabia wasn’t always this repressive. Now it’s unbearable." in The Washington Post (18 September 2017)
  • We are not opposed to our government and care deeply about Saudi Arabia. It is the only home we know or want. Yet we are the enemy.
    • "Saudi Arabia wasn’t always this repressive. Now it’s unbearable." in The Washington Post (18 September 2017)
  • It was painful for me several years ago when several friends were arrested. I said nothing. I didn’t want to lose my job or my freedom. I worried about my family.
    I have made a different choice now. I have left my home, my family and my job, and I am raising my voice. To do otherwise would betray those who languish in prison. I can speak when so many cannot. I want you to know that Saudi Arabia has not always been as it is now. We Saudis deserve better.
    • "Saudi Arabia wasn’t always this repressive. Now it’s unbearable." in The Washington Post (18 September 2017)

Quotes about Khashoggi

  • For those who are screaming blood for the Saudis — look, these people are key allies,... we’ve got an arms deal that everybody wanted a piece of… it’ll be a lot of jobs, a lot of money come to our coffers. It’s not something you want to blow up willy-nilly... You’ve got $100 billion worth of arms sales...we cannot alienate our biggest player in the Middle East.
    • Pat Robertson, "Vox News, Prominent evangelical leader on Khashoggi crisis: let’s not risk '$100 billion worth of arms sales'" (17 October 2018)
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