ًWatan – The General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, headed by Turki Al-Sheikh, announced that the international artist Shakira will be the star of the opening ceremony of the Riyadh season. This comes amid calls to cancel entertainment concerts in solidarity with Gaza, amidst sharp criticism of Saudi Arabia, its leaders, and especially Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“العد التنازلي الأخير 24 ساعة فقط على بداية حفل افتتاح موسم الرياض، مجموعة من الأسماء العالمية والمحلية بقيادة النجمة العالمية شاكيرا ” pic.twitter.com/Urh9W6DEO0
— Concerts Saudi (@ConcertsSaudi) October 25, 2023
While Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of the General Entertainment Authority in the Kingdom, insists on completing the Riyadh season, which will be inaugurated with a grand concert by Shakira, the genocide of the Palestinian people continues at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces.
Many activists criticized the lack of consideration by Saudi leaders for the massacre experienced by the Palestinians at the hands of the land and history usurpers. Shakira will participate in her first musical concert in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of the Riyadh 2023 season, which will start on October 28th.
فرقة لندنية ( المذنب قادم ) تلغي عرضها النهائي في براتيسلافا تضامنا مع الشعب الفلسطيني الذي يتعرض لإبادة جماعية كصرخة في وجه الظلم الواقع عليهم . و الدب الداشر ينشر الموبقات و موسم الرياض و يستضيف شاكيرا يوم الثامنوو العشرين من الشهر الجاري . حسبنا الله و نعم الوكيل#كتائب_القسام https://t.co/r8CObG4FsW
— (Palestinian) 🍁 #طوفان_الأقصى 🇵🇸 (@AlReemHamad00) October 24, 2023
Turki Al-Sheikh had refused popular calls to stop the Riyadh season in solidarity with the Palestinians and published a statement on this matter, exposing him to more attacks. He emphasized that the Saudi citizen has become familiar with why the name Turki Al-Sheikh is used and by whom. He pointed out that the situation has become completely exposed with the same tools, newspapers, methods, and people. However, the Saudi, including himself, is busy with the development of his country and its renaissance and welcomes every visitor and lover.
It is worth noting that Turki Al-Sheikh’s post comes in the wake of the widespread controversy caused by the artist Mohamed Salam in Egypt and his apology for participating in a show in Riyadh in solidarity with Gaza and the Palestinian people.
Shakira appeared in a promotional video for the Riyadh 2023 season, performing one of her musical shows on stage with her guitar. Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh had announced last September his contract with Shakira to hold a musical evening in the Riyadh season.
The concerts organized by the Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia were met with responses and comments of dissatisfaction from social media users, especially on Twitter, in light of the ongoing brutal war waged by the Israeli occupation on Gaza.