Faith

Jesus Tattoo Allegedly Leads to Soccer Player’s Arrest in Saudi Arabia

Juan Pablo Pino Arrested in Saudi Arabia Over His Jesus TattooApparently female driving isn’t the only thing that’s banned in Saudi Arabia. Tattoos, too, are another no-no in the ultra-conservative Middle Eastern nation — a lesson that one man and his family have learned all too well.

Juan Pablo Pino, a 24-year-old soccer player from Columbia, was reportedly arrested in Saudi Arabia last Friday. Pino’s apparent offense was walking through a mall, while wearing a sleeveless shirt that exposed his religious tattoos (at least one of which includes Jesus).

The incident allegedly occurred in Riyadh, the nation’s capitol. The Saudi moral police subdued the young man, a member of the Saudi Al Nasr soccer club, after customers complained about the presence of his religious “markings.” According to the Catholic News Agency, Pino was at the mall with his pregnant wife (who was taken into custody with him). Fox News has more:

Nayimi Sheik Mohammed, a Saudi cleric, told Colombia Reports that the country respects Shariah law and that tattoos must be covered at all times.

Pino later apologized for his actions and was released from custody after a team delegate discussed the matter with police.

Juan Pablo Pino Arrested in Saudi Arabia Over His Jesus TattooThe Catholic News Agency reports that the soccer club purportedly released a statement in which he says that he is “deeply saddened” over the incident.

Pino apparently claimed that he respects Saudi law and that he and his wife were actually shopping for clothing that would be “more respectful” of the nation’s strict Islamic customs.

According to Columbia Reports, “A similar event occurred in Saudi Arabia last year when a Romanian player kissed the tattoo of a cross he had on his arm after scoring a goal…” The player, Mirel Radoi of the Al Hilal team, caused public outrage with this simple religious display.

Another story comes from Gustavo Costas, the Al Nasr club’s Argentinean coach. The Catholic News Agency reports that, prior to coming to Saudi Arabia, Costas would wear a rosary and would make the sign of the cross before every game. But he apparently told Peru’s El Comercio newspaper the following:

“I can’t do it. I do it before heading out to the field, in the locker room. If I sign myself, they’ll kill me or stone me.”

Considering the most recent cultural clash, some are reporting that Pino’s wife has requested that the family leave the country. While the Al Nasr club has purportedly been courting Pino and his wife to change their minds and stay in the region, so far there has been no change of heart.

(H/T: Fox News)

Comments (105)

  • Junter
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:23pm

    A religion of tolerance and peace… In Muslim countries you are not free to practice other religions. In the US Muslims insist they have the right to practice their religion at the expense of those around them. See who’s got the upper hand?

    Side note, when Sharia law comes to the US there will be no more complaints of bad women drivers because there wont be any women drivers.

    Report Post »  
    • DanWesson455
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:57pm

      Side note, when Sharia law comes to the US there will be no more complaints of bad women drivers because there wont be any women drivers.

      Had to say that!? Now I’m thinking…

      Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • tankyjo
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:59pm

      Well said. We all need to pray for, and give for those who actually suffer for their faith. We, in America have yet to really suffer for Faith.

      Report Post » tankyjo  
    • mils
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:21pm

      Either respect the laws of the country you are in…or leave that country.

      It is wrong to say this man was mistreated due o religion..
      ……NO TATOOS showing is the law. Period. Follow and respect the law or leave. I don’t say the law is right or wrong…it is their country and they make the laws..HE KNEW THE LAW AND CHOSE TO BREAK IT..

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:40pm

      Awe man, but george w. bush said those saudis were our friends?! even though most the 9/11 hijackers were saudis… (all but two?). aren’t they great people?

      Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:05pm

      @clive – barack hussein obama says they are, too!
      hussein also says the “muslim brotherhood” is GOOD!
      Just because they are in saudi arabia doesn’t make them any different than islamics in yemin or in America. They are still islamics, no matter where they are from.
      So far, I’m still waiting for the “good” islamics to stand up and protest the bad ones.
      The silence is deafening.
      Matthew 7:15-16 “15 BEWARE of FALSE PROPHETS, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
      The Bible does NOT say to “tolerate,“ ”ignore,“ ”accept,“ ”embrace,“ ”abide,“ or even ”keep an eye out for” false prophets. No, it says, “BEWARE!” It goes on to tell us how we will recognize them… “BY THEIR FRUITS!” Now, if murdering thousands of people, cutting of body parts, beheading people, and such is not BAD FRUIT, then I don’t know what is! Beyond that, saying NOTHING is also UNACCEPTABLE!!
      James 4:17 says, “…to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
      So their silence is complicit to the evil itself!

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • JRook
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:17pm

      Without intending to necessarily let some air out of this over hyped report. Did I misread that all tattoos are banned. So why the need to focus on religious ones?

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:19pm

      i’m with you tom…
      the saudis bother me more than other countries… at least iran will tell you “we think you are the devil, and we hate your guts”, to your face. saudis are two faced, they suck up to our politicians, hold their hands and kiss their cheeks, and then fund our death behind our backs.

      Report Post »  
    • COASTIE90
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 7:40pm

      Great post. I have a niece who works in Saudi Arabia and she can’t even read her bible. So much for religious tolerance. I say kick all muslims out of the USA for security reasons.

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 10:38am

      … Islam is a cult. Islam sucks!

      “We must kill the disbelievers wherever we find them!”

      SURA 2:191 Book of the Koran (or the book of toilet paper).

      Report Post »  
  • Skip63
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 1:10pm

    The Bible also states that tatoos are forbidden. It’s not just a Muslim thing.

    Report Post »  
    • tankyjo
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:00pm

      Blah blah, If he has Christ, he’s OK dude.

      Report Post » tankyjo  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:37pm

      SKIP63
      Book,chapter, & verse(s) please….
      I would just like to read it in context if you would be so kind.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • lawguy
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:55pm

      “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:28 (NIV)

      Report Post »  
    • rtk
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:58pm

      Lev 9:22

      Report Post »  
    • Clive
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:16pm

      Leviticus 19:28

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:10pm

      @Skip63, lawguy, rtk,, CLIVE… Well done. Really thought the authors and bloggers here would be up on such a FACT. But certainly more fun to disparage Muslims and feed the angry mob.

      Report Post »  
    • realistic_01
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:48pm

      @jrook – No one gets arrested in Christian countries for having tattoos of their religious beliefs. That’s the point, since you obviously missed it. If you want to have any credibility, why didn’t you mention the angry mobs in Saudi Arabia that called the police to report the despicable Christian with a tattoo of Jesus? Or the angry Saudi Arabian mob that was outraged by a Romanian Christian kissing his tattoo of a cross? Oh, because that would be disparaging Muslims.

      Report Post »  
    • Reavin
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 9:50pm

      Revelations 19:16
      And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

      Yes, Jesus does indeed have a tattoo when he comes back.

      Report Post »  
    • Danokan
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 7:39am

      No Tattoos are not forbidden in the bible. It says marks in rememberance of the dead.. It’s Leviticus. The word tattoo didn’t come around till the late 18, early 19th century. Any bible that has the word tattoo is a bible you shouldn’t be reading; probably says Jesus was a gay socialist.

      Report Post »  
    • webpreacher
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:18pm

      @SKIP63, You are right Skip, Holy Scripture does address putting carvings,/ markings on the body. However, God gave this commandment to HIS Chosen (Not to the World, the heathen), The Hebrew people. After coming out of Egypt, ( which depicts the world), God did not want His Chosen to continue in the practices of the Egyptians, who did practice cutting & markings on their bodies.

      LEVITICUS 19: 27 – 28 , ” Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard”. Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print and marks upon you: I am the LORD”.

      God’s desire for HIS People “The Hebrew”, was to separate themselves from the “ways of the world” to be a “peculiar people” unto the LORD their God !

      Lear more about The Hebrew People of the OLD TESTAMENT, God’s Chosen.

      http://www.GodSaid/ManSaid.com

      Good Post Skip 63

      Report Post » webpreacher  
  • skitrees
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:49pm

    “ultra-conservative Middle Eastern nation” – what?! Repression and conservatism are NOT one in the same. Clue – any nation which forbids freedom of religion ISN’T conservative!!!!! Sheesh!

    Any nation which bases it’s law, “… in accordance with the Salafi understanding of Sharia and does not override Islamic laws,” is NOT conservative!! What is going on with the Blaze writers now-a-days?!

    Report Post »  
    • NOBAMA201258
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:33pm

      Skitres, conservativism means religious fundamentalism in the muslim world

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:43pm

      He should tell the Saudi Al Nasr soccer club to kiss his a$$, and move someplace else.

      Report Post »  
    • skitrees
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:50pm

      Nobama:

      I understand that, but words have meaning, and it is a tool of the progressives to intentionally misuse words…if the writer meant, “religious fundamentalism” then he should have used the words, “religious fundamentalism” – or more accurately, Sharia or Islamic fundamentalism. A sentence describing something as “ultra conservative” lends totally different meaning than one describing the same thing as Sharia/Islamic fundamentalist.

      Report Post »  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:46pm

    WTH is wrong with him? No freedom of religion there, wat was he thinking?

    Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • Coonrapids
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:45pm

    He was turned in by the MSNBC crew, the sport department seached it’s files and found out about the tat. The turned him in in order to show that they love muslims and the useless black jimmy carter.

    Report Post » Coonrapids  
    • gypsyd
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:31pm

      Please link to where you found this information. If proven true it should be posted all over the internet.

      Report Post » gypsyd  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:33pm

    Gotta love that Sharia Law. So reasonable and tolerant. Saudi Arabia is headed for a fall, and it will be swift and dramatic.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:23pm

    While in Jordan, they told us not open our bible, not to pray, not to sing. Talk about evil feelings, so we prayed, we sang and we openly read from the Word of God. Then we felt lifted by the Holy Spirit…

    Pray for the Christians in Arab nations…Pray for Israel…Pray for the USA.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • momrules
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:33pm

      Amen and amen.

      Report Post »  
    • dutchy
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:37pm

      Amen! and Pray for Christians everywhere!

      Report Post »  
    • DanWesson455
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:37pm

      I thought reading the bible or anything to do with Christianity was illegal if you were a Quarn worshiper. How do they know that is Jesus and not the Zig Zag man?

      Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:57pm

      Wow, this would seem like cutting your flesh for the dead or making a graven image. Specifically forbidden. Gotta love that “jesus” message of relativism.

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
  • hi
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:21pm

    The money he makes is not worth the freedom his family is sacrificing.

    Report Post » hi  
  • paperpushermj
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:21pm

    Never Mind I just thought of the Answer……….. MONEY

    Report Post » paperpushermj  
  • momrules
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:08pm

    When are people going to wake up to the fact that Muslims hate Christians and Jews. Their response to anything other than Islam is kill, lash or imprison. No one in their right mind would willingly travel to these backward countries.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:19pm

      That is the straw that broke the camel’s back. They are being removed from my Christmas list.

      Report Post »  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:24pm

      “Their response to anything other than Islam is kill, lash or imprison”
      NO THEY PRETTY MUCH KILL THEMSELVES ALSO

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • Mary M. Tebbe
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:57pm

      momrules: The prophet Daniel tells us about the anti-Christ of the last days, and I have repeatedly said on this website that it is Islam. This anti-Christ would create a new religion for the people, one which his fathers had not worshiped. Mohammed wanted to unite the Arab world. They worshiped many false gods and many false goddesses, so he took the name of a false god, an ancient Phoenician/Canaanite Baal sun god called Allah whose consort was Allat, and he recycled this religion, and Islam was born. To be anti-Christ is to be a Christ-hater. Any religion that persecutes because of the name of Jesus is anti-Christ.
      It is highly unlikely that there will ever be another false religion created in these last days. People are too informed, and knowledge has spread over the earth, so that the creation of another false religion is not likely. Micah 7 tells us about the rise of the nation of Israel (all 12 tribes) in the last days as the Whole House of Israel comes together again as we find in Ezekiel 37. There in verses 16 and 17 of Micah 7 we find these words: Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will lay their hands on their mouths (in utter astonishment) and their ears will become deaf. They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens (houses/nations); THEY WILL TURN IN FEAR TO THE LORD OUR GOD and will be afraid of you (the Nation of Israel).

      Report Post » Mary M. Tebbe  
    • momrules
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:59pm

      @ PAPERPUSHERMJ……………True, so true.

      Report Post »  
    • toto
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:07pm

      So, why exactly, is it a good thing to allow them to come here in an attempt to colonize America? Costco is now carrying Halal foods, are there really that many here? If so, why?

      Report Post »  
    • UlyssesP
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 3:30pm

      Hey CHIPS, you better remove them from your list. If you insult them by sending them celebration of Christ’s birthday, they’ll kill you.
      Good idea though, I think I’ll send the S.A. embassy a Merry Christmas card this year.

      Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • chips1
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 8:10pm

      Do you mean that if I send a Christmas card to Obama, then a drone will visit me?

      Report Post »  
  • american_rose_126
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:04pm

    I’m really hoping all those with the “they got what they deserved” comments are being sarcastic. At least partially. I get where you’re coming from–that they made a choice to go play soccer there–but do they deserve being arrested, threats of stoning, etc. for having a tattoo of a cross or Jesus? The issue here is not their ignorance (which is apparently how they ended up there–no one told them how it really is…), it’s the fact that this is how these countries TRULY are–and exposing that for the world to see.

    To say these people “got what they deserved,” is like saying someone ‘got what they deserved” when they are raped. No one deserves to be raped. No one deserves to be imprisoned for a Jesus tattoo.

    Report Post »  
    • Applehead
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:16pm

      The Jews are the anti Christ!

       
    • PoohbearA2
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:52pm

      No it is not in jest. When you go to a sharia run country, you know what you’re getting into. He knew exactly what he was getting into moving there. I want others to obey U.S. laws when they come here. Learn them BEFORE you come. You are not allowed to subjugate women here! Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

      Do not go to these countries unless you believe as they do. If you do, it is at your peril. Your rape analogy is not quite right. Rape is illegal here. The punishments and behaviors mentioned in the article are LEGAL over there.

      Report Post » PoohbearA2  
  • Vechorik
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:59am

    Every hollered about Ron Paul resisting aid to the Middle East. I didn’t hear any congratulations when Ron Paul protested the aid to Saudi Arabia! It’s a sad day that the same dictators the left is toppling in the Middle East are the same dictators the USA propped up in the first place.

    War and why Ron Paul won Values Summit Poll
    ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS ONE!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSGzmj2iX7s

    Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 3:35am

      O Please!

      WINTERSET, Ia. – Two weeks away from the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, presidential candidate and Texas Rep. Ron Paul says that U.S. intervention in the Middle East is a main motivation behind terrorist hostilities toward America, and that Islam is not a threat to the nation.
      At a campaign stop on Saturday in Winterset, one man asked Paul how terrorist groups would react if the U.S. removed its military presence in Middle Eastern nations, a move the candidate advocates.
      “Which enemy are you worried that will attack our national security?” Paul asked.
      “If you’re looking for specifics, I’m talking about Islam. Radical Islam,” the man answered.
      “I don’t see Islam as our enemy,” Paul said. “I see that motivation is occupation and those who hate us and would like to kill us, they are motivated by our invasion of their land, the support of their dictators that they hate.”

      Paul cited a University of Chicago professor, Robert Pape, whose research argues that most of the suicide terrorism in the past 30 years was caused by military occupation. Pape’s research, funded by the Defense Department, shows that suicide bombings in Afghanistan went up one third after the Obama administration surged 30,000 troops into the country.
      Not only is Pape wrong; he’s on the dole of Hamas-linked CAIR.

      Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 3:37am

      Regarding 9/11, Paul said that attacks against the U.S. from Middle Eastern groups at home and abroad can be traced to the foreign presence of U.S. troops, as well as America’s relationships with dictator regimes.
      Paul referred to a military base in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, as a key motivator in the Sept. 11th attacks. Osama bin Laden viewed it as an American desecration of holy land.
      “After 9/11, (people said) ‘Oh yeah, it’s those very bad people who hate us,’ but 15 of (the hijackers) came from Saudi Arabia,” said Paul. “One of the reasons they attacked us, is we propped up this Sharia government and the fundamentalists hated us for it.”
      Paul is totally clueless. They attacked us because we were propping up a “Sharia government” and “the fundamentalists hated us for it”? Since when do Islamic “fundamentalists” disapprove of Sharia governments? They attacked us, according to Osama bin Laden, because, among other reasons, we were in his view “prevent[ing] our people from establishing the Islamic Shariah,” not propping up a Sharia state.

      Code Pink activist Liz Hurican told Fox News: “The Ron Paul people are closer and closer to our talking points with each election.”
      Ron Paul Spokeswoman Rachel Mills says “Code Pink is actually leaning more in the direction of Ron Paul’s beliefs and politics”, saying the Congressman “is in favor of coalition-building with anti-war groups.”

      Ron Paul hasn’t a clue about Islam. Ron P

      Report Post »  
  • dutchy
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:59am

    Be proud, and stand up for Christ! I pray God helps us all.

    Report Post »  
  • Sean In LI
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:56am

    When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Islam may be a hateful death-cult/ political ideology, but if you go to a country with Sharia law, you have to expect to follow those laws.

    Report Post »  
    • gypsyd
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 4:40pm

      Perhaps those that go there should be apprised of the laws before being put in danger. No layperson can know all of the laws in other countries. It would have been much easier to just give him a warning and inform him of the law he had violated and allow him time to correct the problem. Instead they arrested him AND his wife. Was she sporting a tatoo as well? Intolerence to the Nth degree.

      Report Post » gypsyd  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:54am

    Where in the Bible does it tell us we need to tattoo Jesus on our bodies? Put him on your heart Juan, not your arm.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • chips1
      Posted on October 12, 2011 at 12:24pm

      Obama has a tattoo of Mohammad on his stomach and he is sticking his tongue out.

      Report Post »  
    • webpreacher
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:25pm

      @GONZO, That is a very Biblical Statement, exactly right, invite Jesus into your heart & life. put Him on the “Throne of your heart”, giving HIM full reign. let no place be, where HE does not have access !

      Further with Jesus
      http://www.Jesus-is-Savior.com

      Report Post » webpreacher  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:51am

    It is their country. He should’ve been told about this before he signed a contract with the team.

    Report Post »  
  • stogieguy7
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:49am

    Ah, it’s so nice to read how respectful the followers of the “religion of peace” are of diversity and of others’ cultures. Not! Yet, given all this, the liberals in the country act as apologist for these barbarians.

    Someone please explain this to me……

    Report Post » stogieguy7  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:49am

    If he chose to live there he deserves whatever they do to him.

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:47am

    What no Saudi’s play soccer? Too many village boys distracting them ha ha…I remember the “moral police” we called them the “screaming me me’s” Women with whips and covered from head to toe!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:38am

    .
    If you see a bunch of guy’s digging a hole about 4ft deep & a big pile of rocks. It’s just a sign of tollerence, but start praying HARD!!!!!!!!!!!……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • olddog
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:30am

    WE Must Drill Baby Drill and let Saudi melt back into the sand..

    Report Post » olddog  
  • randy
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:30am

    He is not a Christian

    Report Post » randy  
  • DJEyeDub
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:23am

    What‘s good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander eh? Hypocrisy is why the left loves Muslims.

    Report Post » DJEyeDub  
  • ares338
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:23am

    I think every Saudi who comes to the US ought to have to eat a BLT.

    Report Post » ares338  
  • PoohbearA2
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 11:21am

    Who in their right mind would voluntarily take up residence in Saudi Arabia? He got what he deserves.

    Report Post » PoohbearA2  
    • webpreacher
      Posted on October 13, 2011 at 9:37pm

      @POOHBEARA2 , Biblically speaking, all of mankind deserves the wrath of God, Were it not for His mercy and undeserved kindness (grace), in making a way to get right with Him, Hell would be full of ALL the human race ! Thanks be to God for a place called Calvary, wherein the Lamb of God was slain for a sinner such as I, wherein the precious blood of HIS Christ, Jesus, was poured out on the ground for remission of sin,,my sin. Thanks be to God for and empty tomb, wherein once laid the dead Lamb of God, but after the third day, the dead was made alive, whereas Jesus rose up from the dead, and is alive. Thanks be to God for His Salvation, for eternal life, this by faith in God’s provision & deliverance from Hell’s Flames, LORD Jesus, my God and my King.

      Further with Jesus @ God’s Word, The “KJV Bible”, you can also log on to ;
      http://www.Jesus-is-Savior.com
      http://www.GodSaid/ManSaid.com

      Report Post » webpreacher  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In