In a historic move, Saudi Arabia lifted a-35-year long ban on showcasing cinemas in the country. As a part of a liberalizing reform drive, the government said that it has already opened the door to concerts, comedy shows, and women drivers over the past year.
In the early 1980s, pressure from Islamists as Saudi society turned towards a particularly conservative form of the religion that discouraged public entertainment and public mixing between men and women.
But reforms led by 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have lifted many of those restrictions. Also, the government tries to expand the economy less dependent on oil.
In a nod to conservatives, the government said the films would be censored to make sure they remain “in line with values and principles in place and do not contradict with Sharia Laws and moral values in the kingdom.”
The details of that censorship were not announced yet. There was no immediate reaction from the kingdom’s Wahhabi clergy and conservative groups, who have responded to past suggestions about bringing back cinema with outraged social media campaigns.
Public objections to the reforms have been more muted in recent months after authorities launched arrests for clamping down critics of the programme.
Post Your Comments