Watan -In a time when Gaza is witnessing a genocide due to the relentless Israeli aggression ongoing for 23 days, and while millions in European countries rally in support of Gaza despite official oppression, Saudi Arabia, led by Mohammed bin Salman, has chosen a different path. Despite the tragedies Gaza is enduring and the anger boiling in the Arab streets, Saudi Arabia insisted on launching the Riyadh entertainment season without regard for the events in Palestine. They even criticized those who asked them to postpone their celebrations.
The first nights of the “entertainment season” in the capital Riyadh witnessed a boisterous event attended by thousands of Saudi men and women, mingling despite recent fatwas prohibiting demonstrations in support of Palestine due to the mixing of genders. A video circulated on social media showed Saudis, both men and women, interacting with Saudi singer Moudy Al-Shahrani as she urged them to “everyone dance.”
غزة تحت القصف والرياض تحت الرقص !!#غزة_تباد_والرياض_تحتفل pic.twitter.com/tLQaa23Twz
— mazen007 التطبيع_خيانة# (@mazen00711) October 29, 2023
Activists on the platform “X” (formerly Twitter) launched a hashtag titled “Gaza is being eradicated, and Riyadh celebrates,” which topped the trending list in several Arab countries. Yemeni journalist Anis Mansour criticized Saudi Arabia, stating that these scenes from Riyadh Season 2023 will remain a historical curse and disgrace. Another user commented on the celebrations in Riyadh amidst the tragedies in Gaza, stating, “Gaza is under bombardment, and Riyadh is dancing!”
ستظل هذه المشاهد من #موسم_الرياض_2023 لعنة تاريخية وعار وشنار يلاحقكم
أهان عليكم جرح غـ💔ـزة ودماء اطفالها ونساءها يا ال سعـود ؟
أهان عليكم الركام والحصار والظلام ومئات الجثث تدفن بمقابر جماعية ؟
ميلان واهتزاز ورقص وميوعةحسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل فيكم #غزة_تباد_والرياض_تحتفل pic.twitter.com/z6iHjVeEXk
— أنيس منصور (@anesmansory) October 30, 2023
The Riyadh celebration and the blatant mingling of men and women coincided with a Saudi Salafi preacher’s prohibition of demonstrations in support of Gaza due to the alleged mixing of genders. Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of the Saudi Entertainment Authority, launched a scathing attack on those he described as “exploiting his name and the name of Riyadh Season as a scapegoat to divert attention from another event or situation.” This was after the controversy caused by Egyptian artist Mohamed Salam’s apology for participating in a comedic theatrical performance in Riyadh Season, in solidarity with the victims of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.