JEDDAH: Lewd remarks about sex by a Saudi man in Jeddah that broadcast last week on LBC’s “Red Line” has led to his arrest, Arab News learned on Wednesday.
Mazen Abdul Jawad appeared on the program last week in a red button-down shirt and open collar bragging in graphic detail about his sexual conquests.
In the segment, Abdul Jawad talks about having slept with a neighbor when he was only 14 and how this got him interested in sex. After discussing sex and foreplay in graphic detail and providing a recipe for an aphrodisiac, Abdul Jawad is seen getting into his vehicle at night on a Jeddah street.
“It all starts with turning my Bluetooth on while cruising around in my car,” he tells the camera.
About 100 people have filed a complaint against Abdul Jawad at the summary court in Jeddah. They allege Abdul Jawad has not only confessed to pre-marital sex, but also violated another Shariah principle by publicizing his sinful behavior.
Local reports Wednesday say Abdul Jawad is a 32-year-old employee of Saudi Airlines. A Saudi daily newspaper spoke with Abdul Jawad before he was arrested. He claims the show’s producers took his quotes out of context and that he planned to appoint an attorney to file a lawsuit against LBC.
Ahmad Qasim Al-Ghamdi, director of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice for Makkah, told Arab News that speaking so openly about vice is a punishable offense and that everyone involved with the broadcast is culpable.
“It is wrong to host people on television to speak publicly about vice and issues against our religion,” he said. “The program presents anomalies and deviancy in society that are unacceptable and immoral and should be punished according to Shariah.”
“Red Lines” is known for addressing controversial subjects. One episode addressed the subject of homosexuality. The program airs every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. on LBC.
Malik Maktabi, the presenter of “Red Line” told Arab News that he could not comment specifically about the case, but he underscored that his program does not aim to tarnish Saudi Arabia.
“I host people from around the Arab world, not only Saudi Arabia. From all the twelve guests I have hosted, only a couple of programs have featured Saudis,” he said. “I present the cases as they are, and I have highlighted humanitarian achievements from Saudi Arabia, such as organ donation.”
The segment has received many hits on YouTube, and comments on online forums have been dominated by criticism of Abdul Jawad’s sex-drenched bragging. People here appear disturbed about the apparent vulgar lifestyle and behavior of one of their countrymen.
Calling Abdul Jawad a “blusterer who lacks morals,” Jeddah resident Faisal Al-Ahmed, 32, said he should receive some kind of punishment.
“He lives in a holy land next to Makkah and Madinah,” he said. “Appearing in public revealing such details shows how foolish and shallow he is.” Al-Ahmed also said LBC is responsible for airing the message.
Jeddah resident Bandar Al-Qassim, 27, called Abdul Jawad a “pervert” and the program “silly and ridiculous.”
“I feel sorry for his family,” he added. “He spoiled his reputation and family name.”
“Such people should not be on television,” said another local resident, Sara Al-Sultan. “I don’t think he did half of the stuff he claims. He is just a fool who wants to appear on TV.”
For Abdul Jawad to be punished on the basis of admitting to pre-marital sex he would have to confess in a court-approved manner.
However, speaking publicly about vice is also a punishable offense. Both offenses are subject to lashing and/or jail time at the discretion of the court.
