Generally peoples across the world tremble in fear whenever a terror attack happens or terror alert is issued. However, the Saudi society is witnessing a different trend altogether, despite the shadow of terror looming large over it. The citizens, netizens to put it in the right way, are shrugging off terror threats with online jokes.

So what is the secret behind this unusual attitude? Psychologists say this attitude reflects the citizens’ confidence in the government, particularly the Ministry of Interior, and also shows that Saudis are mentally strong.

A high sense of humor on social media has surpassed the local borders to reach other Gulf nations and also Europe.

In the last few days, the hero of the jokes was Nawaf Al-Inizi. The jokes were nowhere during the past decade. The trend shows that terrorism has failed to plant fear and instability in the community.

Dr. Mansour Mohammad Al-Otaibi, consultant psychologist, said, “This reversal state has a psychological interpretation. For instance, jokes about poverty is an important psychological compensation so as to not to feel depressed and rather escape from the harsh reality. Recent jokes about terrorism are a natural reflection for the success of the Ministry of Interior in fighting terrorism, which gave citizens psychological safety.”

Al-Otaibi said the information revolution and the Internet, as well as the spread of social media, has helped spread this phenomenon.

Social expert Hassan Abdullah Al-Hammad said the jokes on social media are a clear reflection of reality. “Facing terrorism with jokes gives us psychological indications about the level of safety and security, because people who are afraid can’t laugh and don’t have the energy to invent jokes and publish them.”

Al-Hammad too credited the government for this sense of security which is helping the Saudi community to keep smiling.