REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RIYADH — A video showing the former Imam of the Grand Mosque, Mecca, Sheikh Adel al-Kalbani riding a Harley motorbike and wearing modern clothes has shocked social media in the Arab country. Many called the behavior inappropriate, but many also supported it.
Reporting from Al Arabiya, Monday (18/7/2022), in a video recorded by a fan on Snapchat, al-Kalbani is seen sitting on a Harley Davidson motorcycle by the side of the road. He wore a vest with the American flag and some other icons on it.
He smirked and held up a peace sign after the fan who shot the video requested it. The former Imam’s name has been trending on Twitter since the video began circulating on social media on Monday, sparking reactions from across the Arab world.
“Sheikh, in my opinion, does not do anything that is forbidden and he is free to do what he wants, but we are used to seeing the Imams, especially the Imams of the Holy House, dressed in a certain way. And we don’t accept to see it any other way, and this is wrong. Leave the creation to the Creator and solve your own problems and those of your family, ”said a Twitter user.
“What a great man,” another user tweeted.
“Riding a bicycle is not prohibited,” one man tweeted, amid criticism from some about him not wearing traditional clothes.
“What’s wrong with wearing modern clothes?! This is his perseverance, and this is his freedom, and no one will hold him accountable but God. Why do you involve yourself in everything?,” said another user in response to a negative comment on the video.
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