Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette



JEDDAH — Social media has revealed the unforgiving side of Saudi society and reflected people’s behavior in daily life, an academic said here on Sunday.



“The question to ask is: Are we a forgiving society?” said Saud Katib, a media professor at King Abdulaziz University. He said the answer to this question could be found in daily life .



Katib was speaking on a seminar celebrating the International Forgiveness Day at the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) headquarters in Jeddah.

“The Ministry of Social Affairs’ statistics shows that 45 percent of our children are being abused. Many domestic violence cases are reported on a daily basis, and our behavior toward expatriate workers leaves much to be desired. These are three yardsticks to measure whether we are a forgiving society or not,” he said.



According to Katib, social media has revealed the great disparity among Saudis.



“A recent popular television show has evoked negative feelings of the public toward expatriates. The presenter spoke aggressively and demanded all expatriates should be expelled from the country,” he said.



The debate turned ugly when a Shoura Council member called in and said all immigrants who were naturalized in the last 30 years should be reevaluated to ensure that they are fit to retain the Saudi nationality.



“This statement reflects xenophobic attitude of this Shoura Council member,” said Katib, adding: “It is a fact that racism and lack of forgiveness exists in our society and we must face it.”



According to him, stopping discriminatory acts and reinforcing forgiveness can be achieved only by setting rules that impose deterrent punishments.

“People will stop these negative practices only when they see backlash.”

Abdullah Al-Sulami, the head of Jeddah Literary Club, said the cultural scene in the Kingdom is witnessing an “aggressive conflict” between two intellectual viewpoints — one ultra conservative and the other “westernized.”



Al-Sulami said the club is trying to moderate both views.



“We bring speakers and literary figures from both sides around the same table and leave the stage for them to discuss their views.”