Engineer quits job for TikTok, garners 1.7m followers

Abdulaziz Khojah also gets to interview the cast and crew of the movies. (Supplied)
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Updated 31 August 2022
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Engineer quits job for TikTok, garners 1.7m followers

  • Loves 60-second reviews of TV shows and movies
  • Passionately seeks role as director, writer or actor

RIYADH: Making a living out of creating TikTok videos is risky, but Abdulaziz Khojah quit his job as an electrical engineer to pursue a career as a content creator on the social media platform.

Khojah, who has been on TikTok for just a year, has garnered 1.7 million followers by reviewing movies and TV shows, and giving ratings and recommendations in 60 seconds or less.

“I like to be different, and I realized that I love doing videos and making content, and I work hard to make my videos unique so people will remember me,” he told Arab News.

“As a content maker, it is very natural for people to follow me because of the content I provide, and I developed the content and made it simple and easy for people who love movies and series,” Khojah said.

Initially, Khojah shared acting videos on TikTok before becoming a critic.

“When the lockdown happened because of the pandemic, I entered social media as an actor, but I was not enjoying what I was doing. I felt that there was something better and stronger (that) I could bring. I came back after several months with the idea of presenting and reviewing films and series in a smart, fast, and concise way so that it reaches the viewer and does not waste their time,” Khojah said.

Now Khoja gets requests to review movies, even new ones. He is also asked to interview the cast and crew of the movies.

“I was nominated to be the first official presenter of IGN Middle East, which is what got me to the position I had always envisioned, and allowed me to meet celebrities from both the Arab and American film industries,” he said.

Khojah believes it is important for the new generation to consider getting into movie production.

“The field of films and cinema is an open and unending world that does not depend on a specific idea. It is an open sea for people interested in this field, whether actors, producers, or directors.”

On his future, Khojah is now working on carving out his name in the film industry in any capacity. “I want to have my name in the world of cinema in terms of being a director, writer, or actor, whether a movie, series, or presenter of a particular program in this field on one of the channels.”

As the Saudi Film Commission develops a national strategy to support and foster the long-term growth of a sustainable Saudi film industry and cultural sector, Khojah is optimistic about the future of Saudi films and production within the Kingdom.


Authorities record 19,077 violations of residency, labor and border laws in one week

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Authorities record 19,077 violations of residency, labor and border laws in one week

  • Saudi authorities recorded 19,077 violations of the country’s residency, labor and border security laws in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities recorded 19,077 violations of the country’s residency, labor and border security laws in one week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The Ministry of Interior recorded the offenses between Feb. 19-25, including 13,215 related to residency, 3,396 to border security and 2,466 to labor.

A total of 1,615 people were apprehended after trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 34 percent of whom were from Yemen, 64 percent from Ethiopia and 2 percent from other nationalities.

They also arrested 70 people for trying to leave the country illegally.

Authorities also arrested 10 people involved in the illegal transportation, shelter and employment of violators.

A total of 20,712 expatriates including 19,304 men and 1,408 women are currently undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.

Meanwhile, 14,982 individuals were detained for violating regulations and were instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documents.

In addition, 1,364 were advised to make travel arrangements, and 11,040 were repatriated.

The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them within its territory, or provides them with shelter, assistance or other service may face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million ($266,700).

Vehicles used for transport and properties used for shelter may also be confiscated.

The ministry emphasized that such acts constitute major crimes that warrant arrest and urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.