No Valentine's Day for Saudi-based OFWs
MANILA, Philippines – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are urged not to wear or bring anything that may be associated with Valentine's Day, as the event is considered banned in many Arab countries in the Middle East.
“We are urging fellow OFWs, especially lovers just to celebrate their Valentine's Day with utmost care especially those in Saudi Arabia,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.
Monterona said the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (religious police) are especially active at this time of the year to stop Saudis from celebrating Valentines Day.
“In order not to become victims of the circumstances, we are urging our fellow OFWs to be careful and vigilant not to implicate themselves in anything that has something to do with the Valentine’s Day celebration,” Monterona said.
‘No V-Day greetings, virtual flying kisses’
According to Monterona, it is not advisable to wear or bring anything red like toys, flowers, and heart-shaped items especially in the days leading up to the February 14 celebration.
“We are anticipating an active patrolling starting tomorrow by the Saudi morals police who search for forbidden items most especially in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital,” Monterona added.
He suggested OFWs to just send short text messages or calls to loved ones back home.
“Or better go to the internet café and chat with your wife and kids, but be careful not to even give virtual flying kisses as it is associated to Valentine or don’t ever greet ‘Happy Valentine’s day’ with other nationalities around you,” he added.
Have a heart, sign Jakatia petition
He likewise suggested Pinoy internet users to visit Migrante’s online petition and sign up to “SAVE OFW Jakatia Pawa” from execution.
“We are determined in doing everything possible just to save our fellow OFW Jakatia Pawa from execution. Everyone is encouraged to send the link of the ‘Save Jakatia Pawa” online petition to fellow OFWs, friends, and migrant advocates,” Monterona said.
The signatures will be collated and sent together with the group’s appeal to the Emir of Kuwait.
“On Valentine’s Day, let us not miss to greet our loved ones back home, let us also urge them to support by signing our on-line petition to save OFW Jakatia Pawa from execution. Our unconditional support is most needed to save her from execution,” Monterona said.
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Ok lang
Let's respect their religions & beliefs, at saka hindi nman nila tayo pinilit na pumunta d2 sa Saudi eh. Just include these days (Christmas, New Year, Valentine etc.) as our sacrifices. Don't do anything stupid na makakasira sa image ng Pilipino, remember lahi natin ang pinag-uusapan d2.
ok lng un...isang araw lng
ok lng un...isang araw lng ang valentines day...at pwede mo nmn i celebrate yan s susunod n taon kapag nasa pinas k...kesa nmn s katigasan ng ulo mo ma tiempuhan k...nag enjoy k ng hours lng ilang taon k nmn magdudusa s kalaboso nila...plus un sasapak sapakin k ng mga muttawa sabi nga...tapos ipapa deport k p...
Pity
It is really a sad day for all Filipinos in Saudi. But cheer up! Hopefully text messages will not be filtered out by telecoms there. So just send in your Valentines and Cninese New Year Greetings through text.
Unfair!
... unfair sila. Saudis who are in france are asked not to wear burqa. for security reasons. And they are fighting for it because of their religion. they show no respect to the country's rules or law. But when you are in middle east, you should obey rules or law. If not suffer the consequences.
isn't it unfair?
Hate it!
ay naku
mahirap talaga mag work sa closed country at bawal ang mga ganitong occasion at christmas. sasapak sapakin ka ng mga MUTTAWA pag nahuli ka.