Ed Byrne: ‘Scholarly nirvana’ at KAUST offers lessons to the world

Thanks Sir Ed. By the way, can I ask if it is correct that in Saudi Arabia, homosexuality is illegal and can be punishable by death, along with other severe penalties like imprisonment, flogging, and deportation and that the government offers no legal protections for LGBTQ rights, and same-sex relationships are not recognized? Is Saudi law still, despite the changing mores you adumberrate, based on a Wahhabist interpretation of Sharia, which condemns homosexuality and nonconforming gender expression as immoral? Please do update us on these matters.

"There is substantial evidence of the law being enforced in recent years, with LGBT people being frequently subject to arrest. Some of those arrested have been executed by authorities. Due to the opacity of Saudi Arabia law enforcement, it is not possible to provide accurate estimates of the number of arrests, prosecutions, and executions. There have been consistent reports of discrimination and violence being committed against LGBT people in recent years, including murder, assault, harassment, and the denial of basic rights and services. Societal stigma and the absence of LGBT organisations limits reporting of discrimination." https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/saudi-arabia/ How much are they paying Sir Ed I wonder to spout this propaganda?

The Kingdom is certainly splashing the cash these days buying up sporting events along with the sainted Jimmy Carr and his comedian pals, so why shouldn't academics like Sir Ed get his snout in the trough as well? Good luck to him, is what I say! And the money kept rolling in ....

Exactly, Ed is the Jimmy Carr of academia! Though a little less honest perhaps about his motivation. But be assured everyone is laughing their heads off about the whole thing (and chopping their hands off as well).

Well if the Saudis offered me bags of cash I would probably take it and most of us would. But let's be honest about it all.

Ed knows the score! Take the cash and spout the propaganda!! Stuff their mouths with Gold!!!