A viral video from an entertainment event in Saudi Arabia has sparked outrage as social media users claim that a cube at the event was “used to depict the Holy Kaaba”.
As per the details, the video recorded at Riyadh Season 2023 – an annual winter entertainment event that hosts performers from around the world – showed behind the stage a cube-shaped structure with bright lights and visuals while dancers performed in front of it.
The clip caused a stir among netizens, who called it a “mockery of Islam’s holiest site”.
“Saudi Disgraced Islam. This is the opening of Riyadh’s entertainment season in Saudi Arabia this year. They had a model of the Holy Kaaba where they displayed images of singers and dancers [sic],” a user, namely Ryan Rozbiani, wrote in a post on X, which got 5.5 million views.
“Saudi Arabia has desecrated the image of the Kaaba. What happened to all Muslim zealots around the world? Or can they only be weaponized against Israel’s enemies and NATO’s enemies?” wrote another user in a post that received 198K views.
The Anti-Rumor Authority of the Kingdom, however, rubbished all claims. It said that the video being shared online was from Riyadh Season’s boxing event last year when four screens were extended from the ceiling for visual effects.
“There are no models or replicas of the Kaaba in the Kingdom. The cube-like structure was four mirrors attached to the ceiling with images digitally processed to appear on them,” it said.
Other video from the event also confirmed that the screens had actually been extended from the ceiling and lowered during the opening ceremony of the event, projecting different visuals behind the performers for an immersive experience.