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02/23/2012
Photos of a woman wearing sexy clothing deemed offensive under Islam that was uploaded on social networking site Facebook by a Filipino group in Saudi Arabia drew angry reactions from locals, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said.
The photos, according to the embassy, showed a Saudi-based female “model” wearing a transparent night outfit.
Saudi nationals called the embassy’s attention through e-mail which contained comments from offended locals.
The e-mail “requested the embassy to remind those concerned to refrain from uploading such material online as these photos are inconsistent with local customs and cultural sensitivities.”
Strict observance of dress code is monitored by Saudi’s religious police who are responsible for the enforcement of modest clothing in accordance with Islamic law.
“The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh urges all Filipinos in the Kingdom to be prudent and careful on the nature of photos and videos that they upload on social media sites,” an embassy advisory posted on its Web site said.
Filipinos, it added, must follow local laws and respect the country’s customs “to avoid unnecessary actions that might be taken against any group or individual by local authorities.”
Several Filipinos in the past have either been jailed or fined for violation of Saudi religious law with offenses ranging from mixed gender gathering to cohabitation among couples who are not married. These offenses carry stiff penalties and can be punishable with death.