18 January 2017

Saudi Arabia's top religious authority says ban on pop concerts and movies must stay to stop mixing of the sexes

Saudi Arabia's top religious authority has said that a ban on pop concerts and cinemas will not be lifted in the strict Muslim country.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said attending such events could be harmful and corrupting as they encourage the mixing of the sexes.

Speaking on his website, Al al-Sheikh also said cinemas and round-the-clock entertainment could open the door to 'atheistic or rotten' foreign films.

The comments come after Saudi Arabia's government makes efforts to introduce cultural reforms to the conservative kingdom.

It promised a shake-up of the cultural scene with a set of 'Vision 2030' reforms announced by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz last year. [Daily Mail] Read more