From CNN World today:Saudi family sues genie, claims harassment.
(CNN) -- A family in Saudi Arabia has taken a genie to court, alleging theft and harassment, according to local media.
The lawsuit filed in Shariah court accuses the genie of leaving them threatening voicemails, stealing their cell phones and hurling rocks at them when they leave their house at night, said Al-Watan newspaper.
An investigation was under way, local court officials said. "We have to verify the truthfulness of this case despite the difficulty of doing so," Sheikh Amr Al Salmi, the head of the court, told Al-Watan. "What makes this case and complaint more interesting is that it wasn't filed by just one person. Every member of the family is part of this case."
The family, which has lived in the same house near the holy city of Medina for 15 years, said it became aware of the spirit in the past two years. "We began hearing strange noises," the head of the family, who requested anonymity, told Al-Watan. "In the beginning, we didn't take it seriously, but after that, stranger things started happening and the children got really scared when the genie began throwing stones."
A local charity has moved the family to a temporary residence while a court investigates, the newspaper said.
(CNN) -- A family in Saudi Arabia has taken a genie to court, alleging theft and harassment, according to local media.
The lawsuit filed in Shariah court accuses the genie of leaving them threatening voicemails, stealing their cell phones and hurling rocks at them when they leave their house at night, said Al-Watan newspaper.
An investigation was under way, local court officials said. "We have to verify the truthfulness of this case despite the difficulty of doing so," Sheikh Amr Al Salmi, the head of the court, told Al-Watan. "What makes this case and complaint more interesting is that it wasn't filed by just one person. Every member of the family is part of this case."
The family, which has lived in the same house near the holy city of Medina for 15 years, said it became aware of the spirit in the past two years. "We began hearing strange noises," the head of the family, who requested anonymity, told Al-Watan. "In the beginning, we didn't take it seriously, but after that, stranger things started happening and the children got really scared when the genie began throwing stones."
A local charity has moved the family to a temporary residence while a court investigates, the newspaper said.
24 comments:
Let's assume for a moment that the genie is real. How on earth is taking it to court going to solve anything? Won't it just wreak havoc in the courtroom too?
Seana
Good point. This will definitely antagonise him further. Court is a very stressful place. And doesnt the genie need some kind of defence lawyer even in Saudi Arabia?
I wonder how they even let the genie know of their suit?
Sharia law must be much more powerful than the West's version if it can successfully coerce genies into behaving.
Seana, I really want to hear those voice mails.
Please if anyone reading this can get a copy of them I will post them here.
Of course I assume they would be in Arabic, so we won't really get the full effect...
the story, the cartoon - LMAO!!!
Seana
I'll bet the genie speaks English too though dont you think? Genies are pretty smart.
I read a book once called City of Djinns by an English kid who spent a year living in Delhi - it was excellent stuff.
Ian
You cant go wrong with Scooby Doo.
Well, unless you bring in Scrappy Doo.
Scrappy Doo is a little bit, well, gross.
I'm sure the genie does speak English, especially if it turns out to be Barbara Eden. But I doubt it leaves those voice mails in a language the family doesn't know. Unless it's being deliberately obstructive--which when you're dealing with genies is always possible.
You know, oddly enough this is reminding me a bit of Brian O'Rourke's book The Unearthed. True, it's not about a genie or Saudi Arabia or anything. But the unexplained phenomenon is very similar.
Sorry, that was a previous weblink. Here's the real link to Brian's book for anyone interested:
The Unearthed
Adrian,
All the defense has to say is "Act of God," and the case gets thrown out, right?
Or maybe Seana's right, and sharia law is powerful enough to bring god or a god under its jurisdiction, in which case the universe is about to implode, because that's like suing the King.
Seana,
Web bugs could make for an interesting paranoid thriller. Let's say you find someone's been tracking your every move on the Internet, and at first you think it's your boss at work, but as you do some investigating, you realize it's not, and then...
Yeah, my imagination is way too overactive.
Thanks for the plug. I owe you one. Actually, probably a lot more than one but you know what I mean.
Sharia law is by definition an expression of God's will. Therefore a genie must submit to its power and accept its decisions.
Like at the time of Solomon.
If the court case takes place, the will of God is invoked and the genie actually ceases and desists, I have to say I'd be quite impressed. Though with exactly what, I do not know.
Actually, having thought about it a bit, I realize that if Sharia law is invoked, the family would be wise to stop complaining about the genie, no matter what it did.
Brian
I second the rec of your book. It was a terrific read!
Marco
I dont know want to get on my high horse here, they were trying witches in Carrickfergus as late as the eighteenth century.
Seana
I gotta say I never liked that Dream of Jeanie show, I always thought it was a rip off of Bewitched and there really was no comparison between Barbara Eden and Elizabeth Montgomery.
Adrian,
Thanks for that, man. I take it you're home safe and sound. It sounds like the trip went well. That's awesome. Any plans to come to the States soon?
Brian
You're welcome. I'm back, but I'm still pretty groggy as you can imagine. I dont think I'll make the US this year but I definitely want to do Bouchercon San Fran next year (something you should consider also).
Did you read the profile of Rory McIroy in the NY Times yesterday? Seems like a very nice kid.
I'd have to agree with you on the Bewitched vs. I Dream of Jeannie contest, although of course we watched them both faithfully. Never considered that it was a ripoff, though. It probably was. Interesting thing about it all in retrospect is that it was all about everyone's ambivalence about female power and ability back then. Had to be magic in some form. Yet here we are listening to Judge Sotomayor's confirmation hearings. Not magic at all as it turns out. All you have to do is be a 'wise Latina'...(How is that an argument against her?)
Jeannie did have a cool genie bottle, though. True, my palette would have been a bit different, but I could probably take some decorator points on small spaces.
Adrian,
I missed that profile in the NYT, but I'll try to check it out today. He does seem like a nice kid in all the interviews I've read featuring him and seen him give. Seems to be very well-adjusted especially considering how massively talented he is and how quickly he rose to fame.
I'll admit, I have no idea what Bouchercon is, but I'll check that out today too.
Excuse me, but a genie throwing stones? I think he should be charged for doing something so... human!
I wonder if there might be a genie around here too. If I had to complain about a genie throwing stones at me, I would have to travel to Saudi Arabia... It would be hard work... :)
BTW do you think a genie would appear in Court wearing a suit like the one Cary Grant wore in North By Northwest? :) (Yes, I read the post.)
Liliana
I dont mess with genies. They're tricky customers. If it were me I would just put with the stone throwing. It could be a lot worse.
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