Pinoy gets debt paid after turning to Islam in Jeddah prison

A Filipino jailed in Saudi Arabia who converted to Islam not only gained spiritual awakening but also the sympathy of a philanthropist who paid his debt. The Filipino, jailed over a SR7,000 (P80,889) debt, converted to Islam last Wednesday after being a Christian for over 30 years. "My cellmates are all Muslims and they have been treating me like a brother and I never felt like I was less than them. I noticed that when prayer time comes they all go to the mosque and pray together. When they come back they have this calm and spiritual feeling and I needed that in my life," he said in an article posted Friday on Saudi-based news site Arab News. Previously known as Richard, the Filipino jailed in south Jeddah has changed his name to Rasheed, saying that he felt better after making this life-changing decision. Rasheed was jailed for not paying a debt to one of his friends, having borrowed SR7,000 to buy a new air-conditioning unit. His friend pressed charges against him when he could not pay the debt. "After a short period of time, a philanthropist heard about Rasheed's conversion and decided to pay his debt when he found out why he was jailed," said First Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq of Jeddah police. On the other hand, the Department of Religious Affairs and Rasheed's cellmates hosted a small party to welcome him to Islam. They are now preparing a program for him to visit the Holy Mosque in Makkah and to perform Umrah and Haj.—JV, GMANews.TV