Saudi woman nabbed after hugging male singer at Souq Okaz
Saudi woman nabbed after hugging male singer at Souq Okaz/node/1338961/saudi-arabia
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.
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.
Updated 14 July 2018
ARAB NEWS
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
Meteorology center warn of heavy rain across Kingdom, public told to avoid flood-prone areas
Stay away from valleys and waterways at least until Thursday, Civil Defense cautions
National Center for Meteorology center warns of possible thunderstorms and dust storms
Updated 10 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned of thunderstorms across the Kingdom that could lead to flash floods, and officials cautioned the public against venturing in low-lying places prone to flooding.
In its weather forecast for Sunday, the meteorology center said “moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and active winds that will stir up dust and sand” in several provinces of the Kingdom.
These include Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and parts of the Eastern Province. Light to moderate storms are expected in parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf and Tabuk, the NCM said.
In a separate advisory, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to avoid places prone to flash floods and valleys at least until December 18.
A lake forms in the desert following days of rain in Rafha city in the Northern Borders Province, near the Saudi border with Iraq. (SPA)
On Saturday, various parts of Saudi Arabia had been blessed with light to moderate rain ushering in full winter weather.
In separate reports, the Saudi Press Agency published images of beautiful landscapes that have emerged after being revitalized by rain.
Deserts rejuvenated
Among these are Al-Nafud (The Great Nafud Desert) in the Kingdom’s north, where moderate to heavy rainfall have “transformed the landscape, turning the golden sand dunes into stunning formations,” and also created streams and lakes.
Plants are beginning to sprout in Al-Nafud Desert after getting rain. (SPA)
“The cool weather has since made the Nafud a prime destination for desert and camping enthusiasts from inside and outside (Rafha) governorate,” SPA said.
Rain have also rejuvenated the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, the Kingdom’s second-largest nature reserve, spanning parts of the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf and Eastern Province.
In the Northern Borders province, the Wadi Arar has come alive, refilling the province’s 11 operational dams.
With streams flowing into Wadi Arar, dams in the Northern Borders province are being replenished. (SPA)
“The deserts of Arar City ... have become an enchanting destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts following recent rainfall. The resulting rainfalls have created a stunning scenery, with flowing streams winding through sand dunes and ravines,” SPA said.
Cool, verdant mountains
In Asir and adjacent provinces in the southwest, fog shrouding mountain peaks and the city of Abha have resulted in beautiful winter sceneries, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Abha city in Asir shrouded with fog as full winter weather sets in. (SPA)
Futher south in Najran province, days of rain have increased vegetation cover and revitalized the valley’s natural streams.
One of the foremost attractions is the Wadi Mughaydid on the slopes of the Sarawat range’s Maghra Mountains in northwest Najran, renowned for its pristine natural beauty.
Stretching 25 kilometers from Bir Askar Park to Shaab Baran, the valley’s unique geography combines verdant plains with towering mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature enthusiasts, according to SPA.
View of Wadi Mughaydid in Najran coming to life following days of rain. (SPA)
