MTV show about Saudis angers many

By RIMA AL-MUKHTAR | ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: A documentary featuring young Saudis that was published on Monday on MTV’s website has been criticized by local residents.

The documentary was made by four groups of young men and women talking about their personal social concerns. The video quickly gained popularity among Saudis through social networking sites.

“The group spoke about their own concerns, which I think other members of Saudi society don’t care about,” said local resident Fatima.

“Saudis have bigger issues that need to be discussed, like unemployment, underage marriage or even education, but those groups chose to discuss issues that many Saudis don’t find important or a priority.”

The one-hour “Resist the power, Saudi Arabia” documentary was part of a program called “True Life”. The documentary was filmed in Jeddah, where the producers and cast met with a number of young Saudis who spoke about elements of the Saudi lifestyle that bothered them.

The majority of Saudis who watched the video was offended and said it was a major insult to their traditions and customs.

The video featured the short story of Fatima, who said she was against black abayas and wished Saudi women would start wearing colored ones. It also showed her going to the market and buying some colored abayas and trying to sell them on to her friends and family.  Later in the show, Fatima and a friend took their abayas off and rode their bicycles on Jeddah streets.

“I really don’t know what she was trying to prove. I really wish I could meet her and tell her that this was her own issue as no one had complained about wearing black abayas. I myself have been wearing colored abayas for years now,” said Ayah Shata, a student.

Another story in the video features the exploits of a young man called Aziz. He spends his time browsing the Internet looking for a relationship with a girl. At one point in the video, Aziz takes the cameras to the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah to meet the girl of his dream, but the security guard at the door does not let him in.

“I was really offended by Aziz’s story. I couldn’t help but wonder, is that what he is living for?” said college student Abdullah Nasser. “Those groups make Saudis look shallow and depict them as having no real concerns. They are just interested in meeting girls, listening to music and wearing colored abayas. What’s the point of this? People need to know that we have bigger issues and worries than these shallow people.”

The third clip featured a rock band struggling to go public and charts their efforts to hold a live concert so they can share their love of music with others. “I agree with this band, Saudi Arabia needs to give more freedom to those talented people who want to show off their gift and share it with others,” said another student, Mohammed Nagadi.

“My only concern is that if I were to film a documentary that will be shown globally, I would talk about how young men are forbidden from shopping or dining without our family members for instance, because I believe this is a bigger problem.”

The last story was of Ahmed Sabri, a young man who was fighting for women’s rights. His suggestion was for women to be able to vote and speak their minds in Jeddah Municipal Council. “Maybe Ahmed’s proposal was the best of them all. I support his pitch 100 percent as he is the only one that has discussed a real social concern,” said Saudi citizen Hanan Mohammed.

A local newspaper reported on Friday that a group of conservative Saudis are planning to file a lawsuit against the group, claiming they are making their sinful activities public. A member of the group was quoted as saying that this case was similar to another case that happened in October.

The case he was talking about involved Mazen Abdul Jawad, a young man who appeared on LBC channel talking about sexual issues and his sexual experiences.

He was caught and jailed for five years, in addition to a thousand lashes. He was also banned from leaving the Kingdom for five years after his release from jail.

 

 

Comments

TRAE

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while i agree that there are more pressing concerns that need to be fought for in saudi remember this is MTV so it is highlighting whats important to YOUTH right now, like else where fashion (forging their identity) music and relationships , thats what concerns all youth around the world, it actually showed saudi youth in a good light tho, the english was spoken well, which i think will surprise a lot of viewers and showed saudis to be well educated. MTV is not a political channel it is a channel for youth around the world. other outlets are fighting for other rights,
however i have noticed a trend now days when anything is fought for in saudi the popular phrase comes up "why are they fighting for this..there are more urgent rights to be fighting for" maybe starting from small and leading to more important issues is the way to go, Ive been here for 20 years and back then we were fighting for the rights for women to drive, and where are we today, in the same place

RAO

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They expressed their own feelings and the problems they are facing. If some one doesn’t like it, just ignore it. As simple as that.

RFD

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No comment! But according to Harry S. Truman (33rd US President) 'If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen' . Let's respect everyone's opinion or points of view.

ASMAA

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firstly, it's not a documentary, it's MTv. if it were a documentary, it'd be a terrible one. This is simply exploiting my country for entertainment! they wanted something that sounds preposterous and they got it. it's gaining way too much attention than it deserves!

MAJID KAISRANI

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It was an excellent documentary. It talks about the neo-Saudi Generation. More modernized and up-to-date with the rest of the World. All those who bash the documentary are still living int he Jahiliya.
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