Saudi Arabia's Pros And Reasons For Allowing Halloween Celebrations

YOGYAKARTA - Halloween celebrations were held in Saudi Arabia for the first time in October last year. The event, which had never previously been held in this oil country, received great enthusiasm from the people there.

A total of about 120,000 visitors enlivened the Halloween celebration venue on Boulevard Riyadh by dressing up the horror theme. Visitors can enter the location for free on the condition that they wear a scary costume.

Videos and photos of the excitement of visitors at the celebration were also widely uploaded on Social Media. However, a number of netizens responded to the celebration with negative comments. Netizens linked Halloween culture which was deemed not in accordance with Islamic teachings.

Saudi Arabia, including a country, is known to be quite strong in implementing Islamic rules in the life of the state and society. The Halloween celebration, which was held for the first time in Saudi Arabia, immediately supported the oblique response from a number of people from various countries, especially Muslims.

Previously, Saudi Arabia rejected the Halloween festival because it was a western culture and did not comply with Islamic teachings. Saudi Arabia is considered inconsistent because since 2022 it has begun to allow Halloween parties.

Netizens assess Saudi Arabia has implemented double standards regarding the tradition of Halloween and Prophet's Birthday or the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet. Netizens offended Saudi Arabia for banning the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, but instead allowed a Halloween party.

"B Halloween celebrations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi GEA held an event called "Scary Weekend", while the celebration of Maulid is still prohibited," said Twitter account owner @Musa_Maliki.

Indonesian netizens also voiced their voice seeing the content of a video celebrating Halloween in Saudi Arabia. A number of Twitter accounts expressed their disappointment and annoyance with the Saudi Arabian government.

"This proves that we are Islam, not Saudi Arabia, but with Allah & His Apostle and salafussalih scholars. We are very concerned about watching Halloween celebration videos in Riyadh. Wallahulmusa," wrote the Twitter account @Hilmi28

Last night's Halloween address was in Saudi Arabia. That's the Prophet, he said, if they enter the biawak hole you will also come along. Sign the end of the day," wrote @ABudiAlsagoff.

The Halloween celebration in Saudi Arabia with the title 'Scary Weekend' is part of a series of Riyadh Season events. The activity was held to create an atmosphere full of pleasure and sensation for the people of Saudis.

Meanwhile, the main goal of the Saudi Arabian government is to hold a Halloween event, namely to advance the creative industry. This event is dedicated so that visitors can display their respective creative designs.

Many Saudi Arabian people support the event, but there are also those who challenge it. When it comes to halal and halal, the people who support declare Halloween celebrations just for fun and nothing else. Visitors also say this event is harmless entertainment.

The opening of Saudi Arabia with European culture and various entertainment began when the government of Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). In 2016, he announced plans to diversify the economy with a mission to develop Saudi Arabia into an investment center and a global business center.

MBS juga meningkatkan industi hiburan untuk mendorong sektor ekonomi baru di luar minyak. Kondisi ini membuat banyak masyarakat merasa senang karena sudah lebih dari 30 tahun gugur kebutuhan hiburan.

That's the pros and reasons Saudi Arabia allowed Halloween celebrations. The decision to hold an event from western culture was quite surprising for many Muslim communities in various parts of the world. However, the Saudi Arabian government stated that the event was for entertainment and the need to advance the creative industry.

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