Saudi Arabia’s vigilante religious police raided a private Christian worship service in Riyadh Jan. 7, arresting 15 of the estimated 100 persons gathered in a small private home, including the small children of two families.
According to sources in the Saudi Arabian capital, the “muttawa” (Islamic police) interrupted the Friday afternoon service, which was being conducted by Filipino Christians in a private villa, on a tip from a Filipino Muslim who infiltrated the group.
In Manila, church associates of the arrested Christians gave the following names of those under detention: Dick Mira Velez, Diosdado Cadoy, Jun and Evelyn Vinegas with two children, ages unknown; Art and Isabelita Sabalista with three children, ages 12, nine and three; Rubino Sulit, Jeorge and Elen Rivera, and Eminesio Rabea.
The raid and arrest occurred on the first of five days of an official Muslim holiday celebrating the end of the Ramadan month of fasting.
Although the Philippines Minister of Foreign Affairs in Manila confirmed today it had been notified of the arrests, its Riyadh embassy was not expected to make official inquiries about the case until offices reopened Jan. 12, after the Ramadan holidays. (CD)
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