A video of a samba show featuring dancers deemed too naked has sparked fierce controversy in Saudi Arabia and led local authorities to launch an investigation, Le Parisien reported on Sunday January 9. The images show three dancers swaying their hips in the streets of Jazan, a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The abdomen and the bare legs and arms of the three women, who are wearing the traditional samba costume with colourful feathers, have caused a scandal in the Gulf monarchy.
The state television station El-Ekhbariya broadcast the images, taking care to make the bodies blurry. “The shows are for entertainment, not for violating good morals and behaviour that goes against religion and the morals of society,” a resident of the city fretted over the station’s microphone. Many people on the internet were outraged, considering the polemics in particular to be exaggerated in view of the dancers’ clothing. In view of the strong reactions from conservatives, the Prince of Jazan on Friday 7 January ordered an investigation and the introduction of measures “necessary to prevent any forms of violation”, without giving further details.
This controversy highlights the growing divisions within the Muslim monarchy, which has recently started hosting major sporting events and entertainment festivals. A move welcomed by part of the population but strongly resented by the more devout.
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