Having the Arabic language being written from right to left, the web developers need to adapt their code to render the Arabic text correctly. Today, I’ve stumbled upon this online tool that enables developers to convert their CSS code from one direction (LTR) to the other (RTL).
RTL CSS Usage Agreement
However, I’d like to discuss the usage agreement of the tool, which states the following:
- It is prohibited to use this tool for designing or developing websites that has content that is not compliant with the Islamic religion.
- It is prohibited to use this tool for designing or developing websites that contains photos of women.
- It is prohibited to use this tool to convert code that you are not allowed to use.
- We do not store the CSS entered by the users, and any uploaded files are being frequently deleted.
As you may know, in both of the Open Definition and Open Source Definition, it is stated that there should be no discrimination against fields of endeavor:
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the work/program in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the work/program from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research.
For sure that author of the tool, did not say that his tool is compliant with any of the above definitions, however, I found it a good opportunity to open a discussion about the different usage agreements we see:
- Do think that the restrictions made by the tool author are harmful to the spread of the Arabic content online?
- Do you find it morally accepted for that author to put any restrictions that comply with his set of beliefs? Should that be taken into the considerations of the licenses as well? Shall we have an Arabic (or Islamic) variation of the Open Definition for example?
I stumbled across this tool while searching for regional RTLing tools and was super excited, but then I was more disappointed by the terms.
It’s absolutely ridiculous. If the author really wants to help the Arabic content online, they’d better rewrite their terms.
He’s apparently less interested in “[helping] the Arabic content online” than in clapping himself on the back for “standing up for” a mediaeval, ignorant view of what he thinks Islam is “supposed” to mean. If you are a non-Muslim with enough intelligence and education to use such a tool, you’re probably offended by the terms. If you are a reasonably educated Muslim who takes his deen seriously, whould should be even more offended.
Barbaric.