Saudi woman nabbed after hugging male singer at Souq Okaz

In this videograb, a security officer (left) rushes onstage as an unnamed Saudi woman (right) approaches singer Majid Al-Muhandis (in white thobes) to hug him as he was performing during the SouqOkaz Festival in Taif on July 13, 2018.
Updated 14 July 2018
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Saudi woman nabbed after hugging male singer at Souq Okaz

  • Police have arrested the woman and placed her under the custody of a social welfare center pending investigation by the Office of the Public Prosecutor.

JEDDAH: The Arabic hashtag for “Girl hugs Majid Al-Muhandis” was trending in Saudi Arabia yesterday.

During the Iraqi-Saudi singer’s concert at Souq Okaz in Taif on Friday, one audience member was overwhelmed by the presence of her favorite singer and ran to the stage to hug him.

This incident brought a variety of responses, with many arguing that this was a normal reaction when someone meets their favorite celebrities.

Tweeting in Arabic, a Saudi journalist, writer and novelist Samar Al-Mogren @s_almogren said: “Admiration and obsessions with artists and celebrities exist all over the world, so do not interpret the situation based on nationality.”

@KhaledSadig said: “Fangirling is a condition, not a crime. It happens in every concert around the world, just tighten the security and the problem be solved.”

Others criticized the incident. Tweeting in Arabic, @TurkiShalhoub said: “Shameful, sad and dishonorable sight.”

Makkah police arrested the woman for her actions, which go against the anti-harassment law.

The woman was placed under the custody of the girls' welfare institution in Taif and the case was referred to the Public Prosecution


Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations

Updated 25 February 2026
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Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs meeting and briefs ministers on his recent meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
  • Cooperative efforts includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air transport

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers reviewed a number of domestic and international matters during a session in Jeddah on Tuesday chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent meeting with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which included discussions about regional security and stability, the latest developments in the Middle East, and other topics of importance to the Arab and Islamic world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He also shared with ministers the contents of a letter he received from the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The council discussed progress in cooperative efforts involving Saudi Arabia and other countries including Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Cuba and Kiribati, and approved a number of memorandums of understanding.

The cooperation includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air-transport services, the press agency said. Ministers also approved an agreement between the Saudi General Authority for Awqaf and its Omani counterpart relating to endowments.

They reviewed national initiatives, including one for the promotion of charitable work, and the enhancement of humanitarian and developmental efforts across the country.

A merger of the National Competitiveness Center with the Saudi Center for Economic Business to create a combined Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center was authorized.