I'm intrigued by a cryptic report in Arab News today which says "a number of people" are seeking to have an unnamed Saudi writer prosecuted for blasphemy.

The "offence" was apparently committed on the American-run al-Hurra TV channel, in a programme presented by Nadeen Al-Badr.

The male Saudi writer allegedly "described a Hadith of the Prophet as barbaric".

The complainants are said to have presented the justice minister with "audio and visual evidence to prove their argument" and the Summary Court in Jeddah is reportedly looking into it.

Depending on who the writer is, and who is doing the complaining, this could either prove to be a damp squib or turn into something big. At the moment it's hard to tell, but any further information would be gratefully received.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 19 March 2010.