Mercy mission to help maids

Don't Strip Me of My Humanity. This bold and direct message is the core of an awareness ad campaign that has been running on Saudi-owned television. The privately funded 'Mercy' campaign aims to stop the abuse of domestic helpers at the hands of employers.

For long, the abuse went unreported. The fate of a maid was at the mercy of her employer.

Afraid of losing their jobs, the domestic helpers - who usually come from poor countries - keep silent and endure long and slave-like working hours. It is high time the abuse stopped.

The Saudi campaign is significant. Coming from a country where the judicial system is based on Sharia rules, it reminds people that their religion prohibits them from abusing others. "Have mercy on those on earth and the Lord of heavens will have mercy on you." The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said this 1,400 years ago. Let us all remember that.