Last weekend, on February 16-18th, Saudi Arabia had its first
Comic Con, where participants got to dress up like their favorite comic
characters and meet actors from their favorite TV shows. You might read
this and think okay… so what. Well it turns out this convention has become somewhat
of a controversial topic among Saudi Arabians, and there was even a trending
hashtag on twitter that called Comic con a “devil worshipping” gathering. Seems
harsh right? This condemnation of the convention comes perhaps from the fact
that comic cons are very western and celebrate fake heroes, but also because of
the way in which this particular comic con went about, specifically the
integration of men and women throughout the festival. It is typical practice
for men and women to be segregated in public, however, at this event, the men
and women could walk around the comic con tent to wherever they pleased.
Another possible reason for the denunciation by Saudi Arabians is that the
convention promotes public fandom of television and movies, and movie theatres
are outlawed in Saudi Arabia. I think it’s safe to say the twitter attackers of
the convention are afraid of a change in social and gender norms.
The government of Saudi Arabia was actually the group that
sponsored the event. Comic con was a part of their “Vision 2030” plan, a dream
for the future that Saudi Arabia will be the “heart of the Arab world” with a
diversified economy, and be a welcoming, tolerant nation with its foundations
and laws still firmly based on Islam. To me, this first Comic con was a great
way to let people publically celebrate their enthusiasm for their own personal
interests, and will hopefully follow with even more opportunity for social
freedoms in the future.
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-Olive McKay
Sources
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/19/middleeast/saudi-arabia-comic-con/index.html
http://vision2030.gov.sa/en/foreword
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4253898/Saudis-Comic-Con-fest-penalised-violation.html
http://io9.gizmodo.com/saudi-arabia-holds-kingdoms-first-comic-con-1792550647
Photos
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/19/middleeast/saudi-arabia-comic-con/index.html
http://io9.gizmodo.com/saudi-arabia-holds-kingdoms-first-comic-con-1792550647
Seeing the spread of Western popular culture through the middle east is unexpected, yet refreshing, as it signifies the blending of ideas and communication.
ReplyDeleteI heard about this earlier this week, and I thought it was so interesting how the government sponsored this event and how the public was giving backlash to it, when the equation (at least, in the Middle East) is usually flipped with the government condemning what the public is doing. However, if Saudi Arabia wants to diversify its population and culture, then it needs to explore more than just comic book and film characters; it needs to pursue equality and tolerance.
ReplyDeleteInteresting blend of Middle Eastern and Western culture
ReplyDeleteInteresting post; I never thought of the celebration of heroes from entertainment media as a potential challenge to traditional Islamic teachings, but now that I think about it, it does seem possible.
ReplyDeleteOn another front, I’m curious to what extent the event was employed by its goers as a means of engaging (socially, of course) with the opposite sex.
I did think something like comic con would present controversy in a country like Saudi Arabia. But it is very cool to see that it's happening, and that western culture is becoming more and more popular even in places that have traditionally rejected it.
ReplyDeleteWe're any restrictions regarding public dress still implemented? Or were they relaxed for the sake of cosplay?
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. It shows how Middle Eastern countries fear western culture and try to avoid its encroachment. Similar to Iran's government's protest to valentines day.
ReplyDeleteTech people must think this is awesome.
ReplyDeleteWow this is so much fun! I am proud that the comic culture has moved to the Arab culture..everyone deserves to express themselves thru any form of art.
ReplyDeleteWow this is so much fun! I am proud that the comic culture has moved to the Arab culture..everyone deserves to express themselves thru any form of art.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find interesting is that the anti-Comic Con arguments in Saudi Arabia are similar to the ones in the West, like those in the US. I have heard on many occasions in my everyday life of these conventions, and similar ones like Dragon Con, being equated to devil-worship. It just goes to show how similar the West and the Middle East can be. Glad they are beginning to spread though, its always interesting to see different cultures' take on cosplay.
ReplyDelete-J.R. Purvis
Seeing how surrounding conservative Muslim countries will respond to this progressive action and progressive policy will be very interesting.
ReplyDelete-Noah O'Kelley
Very cool to see how the Middle East is taking on some of the popular western activities.
ReplyDeleteBased on foundations "firmly based in Islam", I am skeptical, but I hope this is a sign of a change in the government and judicial system. I hope Saudi Arabia can maintain their culture while moving to a better justice system.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the attendees were able to watch Batman, or Breaking Bad, or Star Wars legally or if they were censored by the government sponsoring the convention.
ReplyDelete