BBC News
December 12, 2021
Saudi Arabia, which is considered a conservative country, is changing rapidly now and a clear example of this is the recent concerts of Bollywood star Salman Khan and internationally renowned singer Justin Bieber.
"Bollywood star Salman Khan arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh to perform at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. His tour has been dubbed 'Domineering Tour'.
Apart from Salman Khan, he was accompanied by Bollywood film stars Shalpa Shetty, Jacqueline Fernandes and other fellow artists.
This is the first time that the Saudi government has organized such a large-scale Bollywood event under the auspices of 'Enlightened' Saudi Arabia.
According to reports, 80,000 people attended this mega event and Bollywood's brother Salman Khan enchanted the audience with his brilliant entry in this concert.
Earlier, well-known international singer Justin Bieber also gave a concert in Riyadh on December 6, which was attended by about 70,000 people.
Before Salman Khan's concert in Riyadh, a handprint was taken to honor him, which will be installed on the busiest highway in Riyadh.
#SalmanKhan 's Hands Will Be Part Of The Historic Boulevard In Riyadh , @BeingSalmanKhan#RiyadhSeason #SalmanKhanInSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/7VAsrSQ1fL
— राधे (@iBadasSalmaniac) December 9, 2021
Saudi Arabia is now trying to give the impression that it is moving towards enlightenment by hosting events for Bollywood and Hollywood stars.
Saudi Arabia is one of the most important countries in the Middle East and the largest exporter of oil in the world. For the past few years, however, Saudi rulers have sought to make their trade and economy dependent on sources other than oil.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman plans to make Saudi Arabia an economic and trade hub for the next eight years, under his Vision 2030.
His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr.#Abdullatif Al_Alsheikh directed the mosques' preachers and the mosques that held Friday prayer temporary to allocate the next Friday sermon 5/6/1443 H to warn against (the Tablighi and Da’wah group) which is called (Al Ahbab)
— Ministry of Islamic Affairs 🇸🇦 (@Saudi_MoiaEN) December 6, 2021
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Religious Affairs tweeted about the dangers of the Tablighi Jamaat's society in its Friday prayer sermon. The Saudi ministry called the Tablighi Jamaat a "first step toward terrorism."
Reaction on social media
Following the recent actions of the Saudi ruler, social media users around the world are commenting and reacting to his policies.
Yesterday's pic #SalmanKhan performing in Saudi Arabia ❤️🔥#SalmanKhanInSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/ryOtRmUW4x
— Devil_CheTaN 😈 ᴀɴᴛɪᴍ (@Devilish_CheTaN) December 11, 2021
While Indian consumers have not yet got out of the hangover of Salman Khan's concert and are sharing photos and videos of his stellar performances, consumers in other Islamic countries are calling it a double standard of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia bans Tablighi jamaat and calls it "Danger to society" but organized a live concert of Salman khan in Riyadh. Around 80k tickets were sold for that concert. Hypocrisy at its peak. pic.twitter.com/N3ihZqLj5Y
— Afshan Tayyab (@QueenAfshan_) December 12, 2021
A user named Afshan Tayyab tweeted that "Saudi Arabia banned Tablighi Jamaat saying it was a threat to society" but Salman Khan's concert was held in Riyadh. About 80,000 concert tickets were sold. This is the extreme of hypocrisy.
Zahid Akhtar, a user, said: "Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Islamic Affairs has issued a statement saying that the Tablighi Jamaat is the gateway to terrorism and has ordered mosques to deliver sermons against them." It all happened on the same day as Justin Bieber's concert in Jeddah.
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs released a statement stating Tablighi Jamat is a front for terrorism & mosques across the country are ordered to dedicate the khutbah to attacking the group.
— زاھىد ئەختەر - Zahid Akhtar (@ZahidDOAM) December 7, 2021
This is on the same day Justin Beiber performed a concert in Jeddah!#SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/ENZNy4lFZc
Some consumers even compared Saudi Arabia to their own countries.
A user named Fazil Afghan tweeted photos of an event in Saudi Arabia attended by Hollywood actresses and wrote, "Tell the Taliban this is Saudi Arabia."
Tell the Taliban this is Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/n1Y6pXGNUb
— Fazal Afghan 🇦🇫 (@fhzadran) December 10, 2021
Journalist Jawariya Siddique made such a comment.
اداکار سلمان خان ریاض سعودیہ عرب میں کنسرٹ کررہا ہے اور ہمارے ملک میں مذہب کے ٹھیکیدار سری لنکن شہری کو مار دیتے ہیں۔
— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) December 11, 2021
A user named Sufyan Maqsood wrote that 'he (Salman Khan) is giving a concert in Riyadh and here (Pakistan) there is a trend of banning concerts in universities. The world is moving forward and we are moving backwards.
And he is in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, other day I was seeing ban concerts in universities was trending in Pakistan. World is going forward but we are going backwards.. https://t.co/gJgBpyjCau
— Sufiyan Maqsood (@IamSufiyanM) December 11, 2021
Some users even called it a black day in their comments, while others likened it to following in the footsteps of the UAE and taking a number of steps to reduce their economy's dependence on oil.
"Concerts are now the norm in Saudi Arabia," said user Naila Inayat.
So happy for Saudia! Competing with UAE.
— Mariana Baabar (@MarianaBaabar) December 11, 2021
Now MBS if foreign concerts can be part of conditions when you give 🇵🇰 loan.
Thousands flock to see Salman Khan’s sold-out show in Riyadh https://t.co/EH19uK72Bz
Journalist Mariana Babar wrote: "I am very happy for Saudi Arabia, it is competing with the United Arab Emirates. Prince Salman said that if there could be a foreign concert in terms of giving a loan to Pakistan, then thousands of people would fly to Riyadh for a window-breaking concert.
Some well-meaning customers also talked about two tastes in one ticket.
Next time be smart while planning Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
— Salman Sikandar (@SALSIKandar) December 11, 2021
There is high chance you can get music concert of Indian actors or film festival of English movies as well.
Allah vi razi
Te
Abdullah vi
A user named Salman tweeted, “Plan wisely next time you go for Umrah. There is a strong possibility that you will find a concert of Indian actors or a festival of English films. Allah is pleased and Abdullah is pleased (Allah is pleased and Allah's servant is pleased).
