YouTube comedian Waleed Wain, known as Veedu Vidz, is a British ex-Muslim who creates satirical videos on a range of topics primarily focusing on Islam. On September 5 he uploaded a video criticizing the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's recent move to make online satire a punishable offense. Mentioning also Pakistani President Imran Khan's call for international blasphemy laws, Wain said that such policies are among the reasons that Islam "as a civilization in its current state could never… be better than the West or even the East, like Japan or South Korea." Wain said that humans thrive because of their ability to think and critique, and that any civilization or religion that punishes thought, expression, and inquiry cannot compete with those that have no limitations on thought or speech. Wain added, "Muslims need to have a very open and honest conversation about where they're going wrong," and should focus on tangible issues that harm people instead of "petty, nonsensical" laws like blasphemy and apostasy laws." He criticized Islamic societies and religion for being insufficiently tolerant of those who disagree, and said that if your god "only loves you when you agree with him, it's not love." Mr. Wain enjoys engaging with his religious and cultural heritage by examining different ideas and religious preachers through parodies and discussion. Mr. Wain describes himself as a libertarian who stands for free speech and individual rights.
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