SAUDI ARABIA Riyadh, the Saudis ban churches but celebrate Halloween

In the capital, the “Weekend of Fear” was celebrated, with people dressed in terrifying costumes or elegant clothes. Photos and videos were published on social networks and articles in the main newspapers of the country. Some consider it to be a “harmless entertainment opportunity”. Critics recall the “pagan” (or worse, Christian) roots of the holiday.

Riyadh () – After Valentine’s Day, cinemas, concerts and rave parties with hundreds of thousands of people in the time of Covid, the first Halloween celebrations, which were once prohibited, are now coming to Saudi Arabia. as a sign of western decadence. The only thing missing is the opening of a church and freedom of worship (for Christians and for other religions), but when it comes to parties and entertainment – economically – the Wahhabi kingdom seems to have overcome the confinements and bans absolute from the past. Under the name of “Scary Weekend”, the event took place on October 27 and 28 in the streets of the capital, with people dressed in terrifying costumes and others in elegant clothes, as well as photos and videos posted and shared on social networks.

The party is part of the “Riyadh Season” that is taking place in the Saudi capital and the conservative daily Arab News published an article about it, noting that, “if Halloween was the subject of much opposition in the Gulf in the past”, the people who participated consider it a “harmless entertainment opportunity”. One citizen, who was attending an event dedicated to entertainment and fun for the first time, described it as a “great celebration, honestly based on a spirit of joy […] As for haram or halal (forbidden or lawful), I don’t know what to say. We participate just for fun and nothing more. We do not believe in any of that”, the man concludes, showing the increasingly evident distance between society, especially young people, and religious leaders in the country where, however, the two main mosques are located and it is the heart of the Sunni Islam. “Actions,” said another person who preferred to remain anonymous, “depend on intentions. And I’m just here to have fun.”

The “Weekend of Terror” is the second themed event of costumes and masks that has been organized in the Saudi capital. A similar costume party took place earlier this year (March 17-18) centered on Riyadh City Boulevard, described by attendees and organizers as “the most imposing costume party in Saudi history.” . Analyzing the celebrations of the last few days, the New York Times points out that the government-sponsored event was “strategically” held just before Halloween (October 31) so that it could not be considered “the official commemoration of a holiday that has pagan roots” (or, worse still, Christian).

On the other hand, there was no lack of critical voices in the former “ultraconservative” kingdom, with fierce attacks from the most radical and fundamentalist faction of the Muslim people. The green light for festivals and celebrations not related to Islam, which were previously prohibited as a source of sin, corruption and decadence, is inconceivable. Others accused the Saudi religious establishment of having a double standard, because they do not allow celebrations for the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, better known as al-Mawlid.

On February 22, Riyadh celebrated with a “secular” party the foundation of Saudi Arabia in a “modern” key, detached from the Islamic-Wahhabi heritage. The event was held in line with the economic and social reforms of Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) that allowed the celebration of Valentine’s Day (although without naming it). These parties are part of the “Vision 2030” plan and show a “liberalization” of customs counteracted by a more rigid approach in the political and institutional sphere. Bin Salman has limited the power of the religious police, opened concerts and cinemas, lifted the driving ban and launched a full-fledged entertainment industry.