Music can be a powerful form of expression capable of inspiring emotion and ideas!! Music can also transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries and unite people as demonstrated by the many festivals and concerts around the globe that bring together people of diverse beliefs and backgrounds ️ !!
However this is not the case in Saudi Arabia where music is strictly forbidden!! This restriction has been in place since Islam’s early days and remains so today despite advances in society and technology 🇸🇦. Music remains an ‘haram’ activity – or prohibited activity – within Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦.
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy and follows Islamic principles and laws 🇸🇦. This consists of rulings from the Quran and the Hadith the sayings and teachings of the Prophet Mohammed . According to Islamic law music is seen as something that can lead to ‘haram’ activities like drinking alcohol or promiscuous behavior and thus is forbidden. It is believed that by banning music it will prevent people from engaging in such activities.
Music has been outlawed in Saudi Arabia in a many ways containing the ordering of music stores to stop selling music the banning of radio stations the country’s refusal to permit the operation of streaming services like Spotify, and the prohibition of public music performances with the exception of religious music 🇸🇦 ️ 📻.
Despite the ban music is still present in Saudi Arabia in some form. Bedouin tribes have used music to pass on stories and to mark special occasions while some musicians have been able to perform underground 🔛. Furthermore many Saudi citizens have found ways to access music through illegal downloads and streaming services.
The Saudi government has made some concessions for music enthusiasts. In 2006, they allowed a few music stores and radio stations to broadcast music from approved countries like Egypt and Lebanon ️ 🇪🇬 🇱🇧 📻. Unfortunately these measures were met with widespread criticism and ultimately reversed.
Despite these attempts to make some concessions music remains banned in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦. This has a massive impact on Saudi people’s lives as they are denied the right to express themselves freely. This can be particularly difficult for young people who may feel excluded and frustrated by their inability to. Additionally many have argued that the ban on music limits the growth of talent in the country as many young people are unable to pursue their full potential as musicians 🔛.
Overall, the ban on music in Saudi Arabia has caused a great deal of friction between the government and its citizens. Despite some attempts to make concessions the ban remains in place and is seen as a violation of basic human rights by the international community ️ 🌍. It remains to get seen if the government will make further concessions to allow its citizens to listen to and produce music . . .
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