E/CN.4/1995/91 page 14 The Christians reportedly have no place of public worship and the foreigners can practise their religion only in private. According to the information received, Christians participating in private religious gatherings must always do so secretly and be on the alert. Often persons have allegedly been arrested because they were in possession of religious objects such as rosaries, crosses, images of Jesus Christ or the Bible. In addition, it is allegedly strictly forbidden by law to publish or distribute any document deemed incompatible with the Wahabbi interpretation of Islam. These prohibitions have all allegedly been applied with increased rigour since 1990. The Special Rapporteur has received reports on the following cases: - On 10 and 12 February 1992, 29 people, including 7 children, were allegedly arrested by Shurta (police) officers and members of the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, while they were at a meeting in the centre of Riyadh. The majority of them were Indians from Kerala and they were listening to a sermon by someone known as Mr. Ranjan. The 29 individuals were allegedly detained briefly and then expelled. Mr. Ranjan was reportedly ill-treated during his interrogation; - Early in November 1992, members of the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice reportedly raided the meeting place of the Brotherhood of the Good Pastor at Al-Karj Road in Riyadh. At least two Filipinos, Florance Madriago and Roque Atilon, were reportedly arrested. They were accused of having organized a religious group and were reportedly sentenced to two years’ imprisonment; - In addition to the case of Mr. Michael Cornelius Michael (see report E/CN.4/1994/79), the Special Rapporteur has been informed that in 1993, Mr. Franklin Lomboy, a Filipino citizen employed by Saudi Airlines, was allegedly arrested in Khamir Muchayt, because of his Christian faith. With regard to the Shiite Muslims, they allegedly cannot distribute any books dealing with Shiism. On various occasions, also, the Council of Ulemas (experts in Islamic law) has allegedly issued fatwas (legal opinions) that were offensive to the Shiite Muslims. In some school text books, the Shiites are reportedly referred to as rafidha (dissenters). Over the past few years, there have allegedly been attempts to force Shiites to convert to Wahhabism. All Shiite religious activities are said to be closely monitored and generally prohibited. Moreover, some Shiites who allegedly criticized the official policy towards their community are said to be regularly arrested, detained and ill-treated. According to the information received, scores of husseiniyyas (small mosques) have allegedly been destroyed or closed or their construction stopped. No building permits have allegedly been granted