Digital deception: Smear campaigns against Saudi Arabia aren’t fooling anybody
https://arab.news/m457t
Misleading campaigns are on the rise, trying to exploit events, successes, and the remarkable development witnessed by Saudi Arabia on all fronts. All this to tarnish the image of Islam’s birthplace through fabricated, baseless, and deceptive media content. These efforts aim to undermine the reputation of a country dedicated to serving Islam and Muslims across humanitarian, religious and political dimensions.
The truth is these campaigns undoubtedly stem from hostile motives, orchestrated by organizations, entities, states, or individuals with enmity toward Saudi Arabia. Thankfully, they are transparent and well-known, lacking credibility to the point that even the average individual can easily recognize their weakness. Today, there is hardly anyone in this diverse world who is unaware of Saudi Arabia’s genuine image as a nation committed to serving Islam and Muslims, aiding Muslim communities, and defending Islamic causes globally.
The remarkable advancements and progress achieved by Saudi Arabia have coincided with smear campaigns using deceptive information, fabricated images, and manipulated videos. A notable target has been the success of the Saudi Entertainment Authority and its initiatives for citizens and residents, such as Riyadh Season. The campaigners attempt to discredit these achievements using deceptive content.
The opening ceremony of Riyadh Season, highlighting that the full opening ceremony (approximately two hours long) was broadcast live on YouTube, and there is no connection or image associated whatsoever to the Kaaba. The so-called “Kaaba image” garnering some media’s attention is entirely fabricated. It originates from a 2023 boxing match where four massive screens were suspended to create a cubic appearance, ensuring all spectators had a clear view. The images were manipulated with software to resemble the Kaaba and alleged statues added digitally. Also, the model carrying a paper sword design is from a New York fashion show held years ago, entirely unrelated to Saudi Arabia.
The ideas and plans behind Riyadh Season are grounded in the highest values, designed to relate with people around the world while operating within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.
Dr. Jamal Hassan Al-Harbi
Riyadh Season has emerged as a global showcase, fully open to engaging with cultures worldwide. It appeals to an international audience and communicates with the world while delivering a message that resonates both internally and externally. This openness is deliberate and carefully structured, adhering to clearly defined limits that ensure it never compromises the Kingdom’s foundational principles and policies. The ideas and plans behind Riyadh Season are grounded in the highest values, designed to relate with people around the world while operating within the solid framework of Saudi Vision 2030 — a vision that meticulously considers and respects all religious, cultural, economic, and political dimensions.
Saudi Arabia’s historical leadership in Islamic and Muslim causes has not received the attention it truly deserves. The efforts of the Kingdom toward Islamic causes is not mentioned or celebrated enough. Just recently, there are dozens of cases where the Kingdom has held the torch for other nations to follow; like the convening of the Islamic Summit in November last year following the Gaza crisis that began on October 7, 2023. A year later, on November 11, 2024, Saudi Arabia hosted the second Arab-Islamic Summit, which significantly boosted international recognition of Palestine as a state. This summit served as a critical step in unifying Arab and Islamic efforts.
Baseless smear campaigns and those endorsing them, ignore Saudi Arabia’s unmatched dedication to serving the pilgrims of the Two Holy Mosques. The Kingdom has achieved remarkable milestones in facilitating Hajj and Umrah services, hosting millions of pilgrims and ensuring their comfort. These efforts have seen a transformative leap under Saudi Vision 2030, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who prioritizes enhancing services for pilgrims as a key objective of this vision.
Ultimately, audiences are conscious and aware and possess the media literacy needed to distinguish between genuine and fabricated content.
Today, it is our responsibility to uphold the truth and remain vigilant against campaigns aiming to tarnish the image of the homeland of Islam, of benevolence, dignity, and humanity. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain unblemished, no matter how hard some may try. With the support of loyal allies, the pioneering nation of Saudi Arabia will continue serving the causes of Islam and Muslims worldwide — as it has for decades.
- Dr. Jamal Al Harbi is a writer on international affairs and media advisor at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.
