Selfie with dead grandfather shocks Saudis
Authorities launch investigation into incident after social media users condemn post
Saudi authorities have launched an investigation into a selfie taken by a teenager next to his dead grandfather lying in a hospital bed.
The young teenager posted the selfie on social media, with the caption “Good Bye, grandpa”, triggering a wave of condemnation and criticism by angry users who called for a prompt probe into the “immoral issue.”
Users said the hospital officials should find out how the hospital failed to respect the dead man’s dignity and how a child could take a selfie with him.
“The health authorities in Madinah are looking into the case and assessing whether the selfie was taken at a hospital in the area,” Abdul Razzak Hafedh, the head of public relations and media in the Madinah area, said.
“Should that be the case, action will certainly be taken against all culprits for allowing or failing to prevent such an immoral act. The security authorities will also be alerted to take action against the teenager for his irresponsible behaviour and for his violation of public morals,” he added, Saudi daily Al Watan reported yesterday.
Saud Al Harbi, a lawyer, said the teenager’s behaviour was a crime punishable by law.
“It is a terrible provocation of common feelings and a flagrant violation of public morals,” he said.
“Society completely rejects such attitudes that are not condoned in any way by its values or traditions.”
Mansour Hamed Al Hazmi attributed the selfie to a desire to validate behaviour that is contrary to social norms.
“This segment of teenagers is keen on shocking society by adopting outrageous attitudes, such as quarrelling, group fights, speeding, or raising the volume of the car radio. Some of them simply want to draw attention to themselves,” he said.