JEDDAH: A clip posted by a Saudi man on Twitter showing the wedding function of a Saudi bride and a non-Saudi groom has created a buzz on the social networking site with people commenting on the Kingdom’s social politics, racism and women’s rights.
The clip, said a BBC blog, shows men dancing in a circle, with a traditional Syrian chant heard in the background, marking the union of the Saudi woman and her Syrian hubby in the holy city of Madinah.
More than 50,000 people have used the hashtag “a woman from the Harb tribe marrying a Syrian man in Madinah.”
The tribe to which the bride belongs as well as the nationality of the groom were the major points of contention in the online debate.
Some commenters were jubilant at the thought of an inter-country marriage: “What happened tonight in Madinah is a good example of the Qur’anic verse: Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you,” was one message. Others discussed the consequences of marrying foreigners.
“It is her right to marry whom she chooses, but she can’t come later and shout that her husband and children are foreigners and demand that the nationality be given to them. Think well before you take such a decision,” wrote one tweeter.
Many congratulated the couple, expressing their support for the marriage as a means of combating racism and promoting equality between Saudi men and women: “The most important thing is that he is a Muslim. Say ‘no’ to racism. The law should be equal to both man and woman…”
There are examples of interracial relationships in the Holy Qur’an. And one tweeter gave examples from the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to show that intermarriage was accepted.
“Bilal bin-Rabah Al-Habashi (a companion of the Prophet, who came from Habash (Ethiopia) married Hala, from the Quraysh tribe (one of the most respected Arab tribes which controlled Makkah). Islam took away these ignorant and racist traditions and you are resurrecting them,” wrote a Saudi architecture student.
Many Saudis were angry that the hashtag was even created to discuss such a personal event. However, many others brought to the fore notions of the superiority of some groups over others. One tweeter wrote: “Marriage is a whole life; so it is a big mistake for a Saudi girl to marry a foreigner, a ‘Syrian’ specifically. I wish that she becomes the last Saudi woman who marries a foreigner.”
Racism knot acceptable: Twitterati hail union of Saudi woman, Syrian groom
Racism knot acceptable: Twitterati hail union of Saudi woman, Syrian groom
Japan ambassador attends manga exhibition in Riyadh
- ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition held to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan
RIYADH: Japan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino attended the opening ceremony of the “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition here on Tuesday.
Held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, the show is one of many upcoming events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The exhibition celebrates the work of renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
In his speech, Morino said it was a “delight to see more and more Saudi people enjoying the Japanese culture from (the) traditional to contemporary.”
He added that he was happy to see “Saudi artists being inspired by the Japanese manga to create their artworks.”
“I sincerely hope this exhibition will make another footprint of the Japanese culture in KSA and give a great impact in the Saudi art scene,” he said.
The exhibition has been organized in cooperation with the Saudi Museums Commission and the Japan Foundation and is open to the public until Feb. 8.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief distributes over 2,000 food parcels in Pakistan
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has distributed 2,028 food parcels in Pakistan’s flood-affected Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, benefiting 13,159 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Sunday’s initiative forms part of this year’s Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.
The aid reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to assist needy individuals in Pakistan.
Energy ministers discuss Saudi-Japan cooperation
RIYADH: Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto held discussions on cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday.
The officials reviewed current ties and stressed the importance of joint efforts in energy transitions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministers welcomed the progress made under the Manar Initiative, which is a Saudi-Japan effort to promote clean energy.
The initiative was launched after former Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
A version of this story originally appeared on Arab News Japan.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief treats hundreds at Aden prosthetics center
- The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has helped to treat 452 Yemenis, who lost limbs because of the ongoing conflict, at the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Center in Aden governorate, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
A total of 1,407 procedures were completed for men, who made up 65 percent of patients, and women at 35 percent.
In addition, 54 percent were displaced individuals and 46 percent residents.
The services included the manufacturing and fitting of prosthetic limbs, as well as physical therapy.
KSrelief continues to provide general and critical care for vulnerable Yemeni people, the SPA reported.
