Pinoy in Saudi jailed for drawing 'dirty finger' on paper

A Filipino factory worker in Saudi Arabia was sent to jail after allegedly drawing on a piece of paper an image of a "dirty finger" with a caption that is reportedly offensive to Muslims. In a statement, the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (Brotherhood in the Middle East) said the Filipino, identified only as Willie of Laguna in southern Philippines, has been detained in Riyadh since October 14. GMA News Online contacted the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to verify the incident but the DFA has yet to reply. However, Filipino groups in Saudi said Philippine embassy officials in Riyadh are already assisting the jailed OFW. Eric Jocson, chairperson of the Riyadh chapter of Migrante in Saudi Arabia, said Willie was caught by his supervisor with the alleged controversial illustration. Jocson claimed that Willie and his supervisor had an argument about the Filipino's transfer to another job site. Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona on Tuesday said the jailed Filipino told him that his supervisor reported the ‘dirty finger’ illustration to a "Mutawa" or religious police who arrested him. “It is unfortunate that because of what he had sketched, he was sent to jail and might probably face a case over violation of customary prohibition," Monterona said. The group intends to consult a local Shariah lawyer if the drawing constitutes an offense of the host government's customary prohibition. “It is totally wrong to equate that what he had drawn is in reference to Mohamad, the prophet, as we OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) have a high regard and respect for the Muslim prophet. Blasphemy must be ruled out," Monterona said. Muhammad is the founder of Islam. Muslims have a high regard for their founder and have traditionally expressed love and veneration for Muhammad. - RJMD/VVP, GMA News