Saudi Man Hosts Mixed Concert at Fun Park, Gets Jail and 200 Lashes

Didn't turn out to be much fun after all. Besides, isn't it a misnomer to call anything in Saudi Arabia a fun park?

A SAUDI businessman was sentenced to four months in prison and 200 lashes for hosting a mixed concert at his fun park in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

The man was arrested after an argument with agents from the powerful religious police who ordered him to end the concert, the daily Okaz said.

A court found the man guilty of hindering the work of the agents of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, known as Muttawa, and involvement in "organising a concert where men and women mix."

The ultra-conservative kingdom applies a strict version of sharia, or Islamic law, which imposes segregation between the sexes.

Remember though, we don't hate you, as our feckless president reminded you nice folks last night. We promise not to dictate to you seventh-century primordials who enslave women and lash people for having fun. Don't worry about us. Our president is busy picking fights with talk-show hosts. He has no interest in dictating to you. Keep doing what you're doing. Nobody will dare criticize you.