Saudi religious police arrests mascot and bans folk songs

The Arabic-language versions of #official_ban_sheilat and #religious_police_arrest_mascot were Tuesday's top trending topics in the conservative country, where users turn to social media variously to criticise, mock and support turns of events.

The popular trend was launched after news of a mascot being arrested by the religious police emerged online.

The hashtag quickly caught the attention of influential figures in the kingdom and Saudis everywhere.

Writer Dala al-Mufti mocked the news and warned it would embarrass Saudi Arabia among the world. "Wait for this news to feature across the world media and on western satire shows," she tweeted.

This was followed by a tweet from user Janan who said "I am beginning to think the religious body deliberately cause these issues for the impact it has.

"Mascots having to wear headscarves is news to me. I think the body does these things to seek attention."

While the first trend saw 91,000 tweets in just 24 hours, the second hashtag, regarding the banning of Sheilat - acapella Saudi Arabian folklore songs - garnered 34,200 in the same period.

Despite the absence of any official comment from the authorities concerned, a royal source confirmed the prohibition of recording Sheilat over growing concerns that they promote tribal racism.

However this did not prevent Twitter users from discussing the ban of what is described as a type of traditional art.

Abdullah al-Ghadami, a "writer and thinker", weighed in on the debate, saying: "The Sheilat is a fabric of our cultural folklore, and attacking it is to disengage with culture. It is like enforcing your opinion on another and criticising his taste."

Media personality Battal al-Goos questioned the legitimacy of the decision on al-Arabiya TV, asking:"Is it true they banned Sheilat? What does Mehna [a local band] have to do with this? Their Sheilat are good."

On the other hand, Twitter user Mohammad al-Naheet suggested Sheilat had been treading a negative path:

"Sheilat are now used to promote tribalism, racism and hatred. The traditional Sheilat, rich with wisdom, no longer exist."

Mehdi al-Gharabi added to the discussion, stating: "Sheilat are double-edged swords; there are negatives and positives - but to ban them means to stop studios and I feel that is an unjust decision."

Although Twitter users were divided in their opinions, it's clear that the religious police, also known as the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, were the talk of the town.