Dubai: A man has been accused of offending Islam and calling Muslims terrorists after fighting with his flatmate, who had asked him to turn down the music during the adhan [call for prayer].

The 27-year-old Filipino man was said to be listening to music and when his Pakistani flatmate asked him to lower the volume during the adhan, they had a heated argument in October.

The Filipino offended Islam by calling it a religion of terror and accused Muslims of being terrorists before the police were summoned to the flat.

While police were checking what had happened at the flat, according to records, the 27-year-old also threatened three policemen by claiming that he was well connected to influential people and would do something to them.

Prosecutors accused the Filipino of offending Islam and Muslims and threatening three policemen.

The suspect pleaded not guilty and dismissed his accusations when he appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

He asked the presiding judge to acquit him.

A police corporal testified to prosecutors that they were informed about a problem in a flat at Al Bidaa area.

“We headed to the flat that was shared by a number of persons. The Filipino suspect was the one who had called the police and claimed that he had a problem with his flatmate [Pakistani national]. At first, the suspect alleged that the flatmate had used his belongings without permission. When we asked the flatmate, he claimed to us that the suspect was listening to music when the adhan started. He alleged that when he asked him politely and respectfully to turn down the music until the adhan finished, the Filipino refused. The Pakistani said he tried to talk the Filipino into lowering the volume before the latter cursed Islam and said Muslims are terrorists. He also claimed that he tried to tell the suspect that he has to respect all religions and rituals as well, but he [suspect] did not and cursed Islam and Muslims. The suspect also threatened my partners and I by saying ‘I know influential people in Dubai and you wait and watch what will I do to you’. Thereafter we apprehended him and took him to the station,” the corporal claimed to prosecutors.

A ruling will be heard on February 7.