Images distributed online in the past few days show three foreign women dancing samba on one of the main streets of Jazan. They took part in the local winter festival.
The women, whose citizenship is unclear, were decorated with the colorful feathers typical of the Brazilian Carnival. As with samba performances in Brazil, their arms, bellies and legs were uncovered. However, they did not show as much bare skin as the dancers at the famous Carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro.
Many citizens expressed their indignation at the show on online networks and other media. In many cases, the organizers were called for punishment. “Shows are there for entertainment and not to attack morality and to take action against religion and the morality of society,” said Mohammed al-Badschwi, a resident of Jazan, the state television broadcaster El-Echbarija.
Violation of strict morals
In the past five years, on the initiative of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, the entertainment offers for citizens have been significantly expanded – the new offers include major sporting events and concerts.
However, the kingdom is still shaped by Wahhabism, a particularly strict and traditional interpretation of Islam. Most women still wear the abaya, a black cloak that covers their entire body, in public.