‘Samba’ A Semi Nude Dance Show In Saudi Arabia Shakes The Muslim World
Images distributed online in the past few days show three foreign women dancing samba on one of the main streets of Jazan. They took part in the local winter festival.
The women, whose citizenship is unclear, were decorated with the colorful feathers typical of the Brazilian Carnival. As with samba performances in Brazil, their arms, bellies and legs were uncovered. However, they did not show as much bare skin as the dancers at the famous Carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro.
Many citizens expressed their indignation at the show on online networks and other media. In many cases, the organizers were called for punishment. “Shows are there for entertainment and not to attack morality and to take action against religion and the morality of society,” said Mohammed al-Badschwi, a resident of Jazan, the state television broadcaster El-Echbarija.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia were investigating on Sunday after a samba performance by dancers some considered too scantily clad for the conservative kingdom, which has been diversifying its entertainment options.
Over the past week videos on social media have shown three foreign samba dancers displaying their moves in a main street of Jazan, in the southwest. The women, who were taking part in the Jazan Winter Festival, wore coloured feathers emblematic of the Brazilian tradition with their legs, arms and bellies uncovered.
