Saudi Arabia's religious police have shown the limits of their tolerance by arresting 67 Filipino men at a drag party. The men were rounded up after police raided a party at a villa in Riyadh held to celebrate the Philippines' independence day.
The kingdom, run in accordance with a strict interpretation of Sharia law, has become more liberal in recent years. It has appointed its first woman deputy minister, while a number of newspapers have challenged the power of the Muttawa, or religious police, who enforce rules on women's clothing and mixing between the sexes.
However, the party for some of the many members of the Filipino community of migrant workers may have pushed the limits too far.
Alcohol, which is strictly banned, was found, while cross-dressing - "imitating a woman" in legal language - is also against local law.
Some of the men may also be charged with "displaying homosexuality", though none is accused of homosexual acts, an offence which carries much heavier penalties in Saudi Arabia. The men were released pending formal charges. They face sentences of up to six months imprisonment and 60 lashes.
The arrests were confirmed by the Philippines' vice-consul in Riyadh, Roussell Reyes. "Some of those arrested were reportedly wearing gowns and wigs and drinking liquor," he told a radio station. "It seems that there was a party."
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