Hey Macarena: Saudi Arabia holds teenager for dancing in the street
A boy who was filmed dancing to the hit song Macarena at a junction in Jeddah has been released by Saudi police, they said yesterday.
The video, which went viral on social media in the kingdom in recent days, shows the 14-year-old boy swaying his hips and arms to the hit song from the 1990s, smiling and giggling throughout the dance.
Police spokesman Col Aati Al Qurashi said the boy, an Arab national, was taken to police along with his father, who was asked to sign a pledge vowing to protect his son and not to breach public morals.
The boy was then swiftly released from custody.
Police said the video appeared to be a year old.
On Tuesday there were reports that the boy had been detained for disrupting traffic and improper public behaviour after the video resurfaced.
Western music and dancing are taboo in Saudi Arabia, but such incidents in the past have not necessarily led to long imprisonment or serious punishment.
Traditional dance is permitted. Saudi King Salman and US president Donald Trump were filmed taking part in a traditional all-male Saudi sword dance in May when the president visited the kingdom to strengthen relations.
Although there have long been private concerts, Saudi Arabia’s young heir to the throne, 31-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has pushed for greater openings for public entertainment in the kingdom.
They include allowing a limited number of musical concerts after a ban of more than 20 years.
In May, American country music star Toby Keith performed in Riyadh before an all-male audience.
There is even talk of opening holiday beach resorts on the Red Sea coast.
The crown prince has also encouraged young Saudis to become more physically active as part of a wide-reaching reform agenda that includes raising life expectancy in the country.