In Saudi Arabia, a firebomb attack on a popular literary club has sparked fear about the loss of burgeoning cultural freedoms. According to a report by Fatima Sidiya for ArabNews.com, the Al-Jouf Literary Club was “severely damaged by a major fire” last Sunday and “Scholars believe that radical conservatives are responsible and have demanded action against them, claiming they have moved from insulting the intellect of the public to threatening people’s lives.”

Just before the fire, club librarian Al-Humaid “received a threatening text message that read: ‘Do you know that killing you is Halal? God willing, in a few hours you will be killed just like your neighbor Hamoud and his friends.'” Col. Hamoud Ali Al-Rabeea, director of police for the province and stationed nearby, was assassinated by an unidentified gunman seven years ago.

The club was known for allowing women to join and for discussing a wide range of opposing views.

“We rely on these cultural clubs to educate the public and officials have to stand strongly against these attacks,” said the head of the club, Ahmad Al-Zahrani, “We do not want to turn the literary clubs into police spots. These clubs are meant for intellectual people who are useful for the country.”

The club was damaged by another fire last year, after an appearance by Saudi poet Halima Muzafar.

Police are investigating the attack and local government has expressed strong support for the club. Club officials say they’ll have the center reading for event “within a fortnight.”