Preacher arrested for criticisng Jordan's role in anti-IS coalition

Jordan's prosecutors ordered on Monday the arrest of a controversial TV preacher for criticisng the country's participation in the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group.

Professor Amjad Qourshah, who teaches Islamic studies at the University of Amman, had uploaded a video on YouTube in response to Jordan's announcement in September 2014 to take part in the US-led international coalition against IS.

"Our weak government has unfortunately taken us to a war we have nothing to do with," he said in the video.

"They keep worrying about IS approaching the Jordanian borders, while the extremists are no more than 10 people," he added.

"Meanwhile, the number of smugglers is 100 times more, but the authorities do nothing about it."

Qourshah then proceeded to blame US intelligence for terrorist attacks taking place in Jordan.

"They warn of attacks they plan to carry out in Jordan to show how great their intelligence is," he said.

Qourshah is being accused of violating the latest amendments to Jordan's anti-terrorism law, which criminalise acts that "disturb [Jordan's] relations with a foreign state", an offence regularly used to punish peaceful criticism of foreign countries or their rulers.

The amendments, approved by Jordan's parliament in April 2014, have received local and international criticism, as they "broaden the definition of terrorism and threaten freedom of expression", according to Human Rights Watch.

"Jordan's legitimate security concerns don't give the government a green light to punish peaceful criticism of foreign rulers as terrorism," Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director, said at the time.

"Jordan ought to be increasing the space for public criticism and debate rather than limiting it."

Freedom of expression

On social media, reactions to Qourshah's arrest varied between supporting his right to express his opinion and criticising his approach and ideas.

'Not our war'

Jordan vowed to retaliate against IS last year after the group brutally executed Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh, whose F-16 went down over northern Syria near IS's de facto capital of Raqqa.

IS had posted a graphic video showing Kasasbeh being burned alive in a cage, causing worldwide outrage and prompting Jordan to execute Islamist detainees and briefly step up its airstirkes against IS in Syria.

While the government held firm to its participation in the coalition, the capture and execution of Kasasbeh provoked outrage and started a fresh debate about Jordan's participation in the war against the IS.

Social media users created the hashtag #NotOurWar to denounce Jordan's role in the coalition and hold the authorities responsible for Kasasbeh's safety.

In response, Jordan's King Abdullah II gave the country's participation in the coalition royal approval in a speech before the parliament.

"The war against terror is our war", he said, in reference to the "Not Our War" campaign adopted by the opposition.