Saudi Arabia’s big debate on cinema, concerts

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has created a state of confusion after replying to a question on a TV program concerning the Kingdom’s entertainment reforms.
The reforms are part of Vision 2030 plan, under which the Kingdom seeks to implement a wide range of developmental projects and further diversify its economy.
The grand mufti’s comments have stirred controversy, with both support for and criticism of his words. I believe Al-Asheikh’s opinion seems to be more in favor of the Kingdom’s reforms, not against them. Saudi Arabia’s highest-ranking cleric never said he was against cinemas and concerts, only that he had some reservations, namely that such entertainment forums could be exploited to disseminate pornography and atheism.
The grand mufti did not indicate an outright rejection or prohibition, which we are used to hearing from some reckless or extreme clerics. Rather, he hoped those in charge of the General Authority for Entertainment are guided to make positive changes.
The grand mufti enjoys a significant religious position, given the fact that Saudi Arabia is the religious focal point for the world’s Muslims. He is a moderate, tolerant personality whose sermons and fatwas do not include fanatical language, unlike many extremist clerics. He is also a conservative person who believes in Islamic traditional values, which many Muslims today have forsaken.
Opposing extremism
Although he is an ultraconservative, Al-Asheikh has always opposed extremism and terrorism in the name of Islam. He made courageous stands against dangerous organizations like Al-Qaeda, which enjoyed the support of some others. Due to his anti-extremist approach, the grand mufti has been discredited by terrorists who put him on their target list.
He also opposes the Iranian regime, which adopts political violence. In addition, the grand mufti has objected to extremist Sunni clerics concerning controversial issues such as suicide bombings, which he rejected many years ago.
The Saudi civil society is preoccupied with various issues, mostly social ones, unlike some neighboring countries affected by war and political chaos. The Saudi community is trying to get rid of traditions and customs that are unrelated to religion, such the issue of women driving cars, cinemas and other social activities practiced by most Muslims worldwide.
The Saudis are concerned with such political and social issues, as the country is making a transition. Changes are inevitable for several reasons, such as the predominance of younger generations’ will for change, the spread of social networking sites, and a positive government openness to meet the requirements of young people and the modern age. Consequently, the government has set up an official authority responsible for organizing and supporting entertainment activities that may be rejected by some of the older generation.
There is an ongoing healthy debate about cinemas, concerts and entertainment complexes, which is attracting both support and criticism. However, the debate could become problematic if some people try to “use” senior clerics to tilt the argument in their favor. But they failed to do so with the grand mufti, who conditioned that he was against cinemas and concerts only if they disseminate pornography and atheism. The condition implicitly emphasizes his approval.
Some clerics tried to oppose such entertainment reforms by calling for a referendum and the involvement of the people’s voice. If such a referendum, despite being an unusual condition in Saudi Arabia, was conducted in neutral conditions, the vast majority of the people would vote for such entertainment reforms. The youth account for most of the Kingdom’s population, 60 percent of them are under 30 and living in urban, not rural, areas.
Economic woes, leisure and the risk of exploitation of young people abroad are all issues that require positive change.