Riyadh –
As one of the biggest music events in the Middle East took place in Saudi Arabia in recent days, festival organizers vowed to take extra measures to prevent sexual and other harassment at the venue in Riyadh.
Mass entertainment is no longer a novelty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, known for its strict regulations, but reports have emerged from several local and foreign women that they have been victims of abuse – some of which has been documented on video.
This view is still felt surreal – ajojing audience with deafening music, whereas only a few years ago public music events were controversial in Saudi.
Men and women also mingle in ways that were previously unthinkable.
Men and women are allowed to mix in concerts, something that was previously forbidden. (Getty Images)
Famous musicians from around the world should weigh the kingdom’s human rights record before deciding to perform. Activists say that if these musicians perform, they are helping to cover up the image of a repressive government.
But musicians aren’t the only ones who think twice before heading to a music event in Saudi. Recently there have been reports of repeated sexual harassment of women at a series of major entertainment events that are now a part of everyday life in Riyadh and elsewhere.
In recent years, a number of videos have circulated showing a group of men groping and harassing women.
MDLBeast launches a campaign called Respect and Reset to increase protection for women at its events. They promised zero tolerance for harassment. Several onlookers who attended over the past week have praised their efforts.
Since 2018, Saudi authorities have also criminalized harassment, with large fines and prison sentences of up to five years.
MDLBeast says Sandstorm is the biggest music festival in the Middle East. (Getty Images)
But several Saudi women who contacted the BBC said they were not convinced all these efforts were sufficient. Neither of the women felt comfortable giving out their identities.
They admit that they themselves have experienced harassment at mass entertainment venues or know other women who have experienced it.
A woman said that the comments on the uploaded harassment video online often blame women – and that female victims are more likely to be punished by Saudi law as perpetrators.
Another woman said authorities only seemed to react seriously when foreigners were involved. He added that not much attention is paid when a Saudi woman is victimized, but there are massive protests and harsh punishments when the victim is a female tourist.
A third woman said that local women had no real protection – that there was a feeling that they were involved, even somehow guilty, just by attending events. If young women report an incident, she says, they can come under fire from within their own families and communities.
He claims that a recent warning from security forces banning video recording with mobile phones in entertainment venues is meant to prevent incidents of harassment from being documented.
‘Shallow change’
People close to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, and his inner circle say incidents like these are an unavoidable excess in a country that is undergoing a major transition from a very conservative interpretation of Islam to a more liberal society. permissiveness – for example with the abolition of the moral police who used to frequently patrol the streets.
The pace of change is certain to accelerate towards achieving the goals set out in the prince’s Vision 2030 project – a highly ambitious plan to transform Saudi Arabia by shifting its economy away from dependence on oil, while reshaping its society to match the expectations of its youth.
Saudi women feel more freedom under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including being allowed to drive. (Getty Images)
The prince’s supporters say the process is still in its early stages – and ask for patience until the changes become normal.
But Saudi women who spoke to the BBC questioned how inclusive this plan was in reality. They emphasized that women’s hopes and concerns were still being handled superficially.
They say this harassment issue is one example – preventing many Saudi women from participating in events that ostensibly aim to open Saudi Arabia not only to a new world of tourists and influence, but also to its own citizens.
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