Sittam Al-Jami’ah

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

 

HAIL – Many people are calling to ignore Twitter accounts with fake names that usually tend to freely express ideas, rumors and sometimes misconceptions for the wrong purposes.



Khairiya Al-Barheem, a sociologist at the University of Hail, criticized those who blindly follow accounts with anonymous names, and questioned why someone would follow an anonymous account and why the account owner wants to keep his name under wraps in the first place.



Al-Barheem said the reason some people hide their real names is because they have bad intentions.



“Sometimes they do it for a completely different reason: to avoid social criticism. They want to talk about social taboos and are afraid of how others will react to their ideas,” she said.



“Some people who hold high positions in society are scared that they will receive a barrage of criticism if they venture into certain social issues or try to speak against specific social practices.”



She believes it is important to educate young men and women on the importance of speaking their minds and learning to engage in dialogue with others all within the limits of Shariah and social etiquette.



Rashid Al-Khalaf said users of anonymous accounts think they are talking about forbidden issues but this is not the case. “What is true is that social media websites give you a great chance to express what is on your mind within the boundaries of Shariah and without insulting others and without hiding your name and identity,” Al-Khalaf said.



“Maybe the owners of such accounts are not citizens. They are unknown persons who are simply trying to cause sedition in our society. You can tell their intentions from the type of issues they talk about on their accounts.”



Thamer Al-Khalid said he noticed that some fake accounts tend to fuel tribalism and racism and that is why their owners refuse to reveal their identities. Al-Khalid wonders why people can’t say what is on their minds without criticizing others.



“Some anonymous names have caused huge problems for different families because they instigated sedition. Why they prefer to talk behind walls and hide who they are is something I don’t understand.”