Saudi rapper denies she was detained, plans for a new video

The rapper Asayel Al-Bishi said she was questioned for not having the right permits to shoot her recent viral music video, “Bint Makkah”. (Screenrgab)
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Updated 01 March 2020
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Saudi rapper denies she was detained, plans for a new video

  • Asayel Al-Bishi said she was questioned for not having the right permits to film her recent clip

RIYADH: A Saudi female rapper known by the name “Bint Makkah” has denied being detained by authorities over her recent music video.

The rapper Asayel Al-Bishi said she was questioned for not having the right permits to shoot her recent viral music video, “Bint Makkah”. 

In the clip published on YouTube on Feb, 13, Al-Bishi rapped about women of the city, and the footage included scenes of young girls dancing to the song. 

The video was removed from YouTube, and Al-Bishi was questioned by the Saudi prosecutor general over filming without a permit, according to Al Arabiya English.

“The problem was that I taped the music video of a song that I wrote without a permit to film the video. I didn’t know I had to get the permit,” Al-Bishi told the news website.

“In the public prosecution they informed me. The video was not a problem, it was an administrative issue of not obtaining the right permits,” she added.

“I was called in for questioning and they investigated the issue,” confirmed Al-Bishi, and added that her only violation was failing to secure a permit before filming.Social media users speculated that the artist was detained and charged.

“There are people that are supportive and some who are against. I respect people’s opinions,” said Al-Bishi.

When asked about her future plans, Al-Bishi told Al Arabiya English that she was planning to shoot more videos, and said she will make sure to get the right permits next time.


Saudi Arabia celebrates Flag Day with displays, special events

Updated 11 March 2026
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Saudi Arabia celebrates Flag Day with displays, special events

  • Nation goes green in show of unity, belonging
  • Current design of the flag, which represents unity and sovereignty, was adopted in 1937

RIYADH: A new art exhibition has opened at King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh, as the country celebrates Flag Day, which fell on Wednesday.

The event, titled “In Love with Green,” is being held in collaboration with the Saudi Art Association and features 20 fine art paintings inspired by the Saudi flag, as well as other cultural and contemporary images and landmarks.

The current design of the flag, which represents unity and sovereignty, was adopted in 1937. It features the Shahada and a sword symbolizing justice and safety, representing the unification of the Kingdom during the reign of King Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

The exhibition, at the library’s services branch and reading halls on Khurais Road, was opened by the library’s Director General Bandar Al-Mubarak and the association’s board chair Hanaa Al-Shibly.

Visitors can attend from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Elsewhere in the country, public spaces and buildings have become a sea of green for Flag Day.

In Al-Baha, government buildings, squares and main roads were decorated with green lighting and national flags were hoisted in public squares.

It was a similar picture in Makkah, where people celebrated the annual show of pride and belonging against a green backdrop.

In Tabuk, authorities installed more than 7,000 flags along roads, squares and bridges, while the region’s landmarks and tunnels were illuminated with green and white lights.

More than 10,000 Saudi flags were also hoisted in Jazan, where Souk Al-Awalin in Jazan City is set to host a range of events and performances to mark the special occasion.