Trending: Voicing Saudi Arabia's "unresolved issues"

Trending: Voicing Saudi Arabia's "unresolved issues"
This is a regular series on what Arabs are debating or sharing on social media. Tweet us your reactions @alaraby_en or share your comments on facebook, www.facebook.com/AlAraby.en
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Dalal Jebril-Rogers

18 Nov, 2014
Social media platforms are very popular among Saudis (AFP)
Saudis are among the most active in the Middle East on social media platforms, especially on Twitter. The extensive use of social media platforms can be ascribed to a number of factors, including advanced internet infrastructure, but also restrictive social norms that make online engagement extra attractive. 

Moreover, social media is also proving a platform for social and political comment. Trending on Twitter today, for instance, is the hashtag "مشكلة_في_السعودية_مالها_حل#"[KSA_Problems_with_NoSolution].

The hashtag has been retweeted hundreds of thousands of times today alone, suggesting Saudis feel there are plenty of intractable problems in their country. The tweets vary in subject matter and level of seriousness. But repeated concerns raised are cultural mores, health care services, unemployment and even road conditions.


While the majority of tweeters posted serious messages, others adopted a more humorous approach. But there were plenty of offerings: the number of tweets using مشكلة_في_السعودية_مالها_حل#over the past 12 hours exceeded 450,000, according to Topsy's Twitter Analytics.

Caption: Unfortunately, a wide range of society does not accept opposing opinions, and takes "disagreement" personally.

Caption:the problem is not just one problem, unfortunately, there's issues like pot-holes in the streets and unjust favourtism.
Caption: that our internal issues are solved with religious Fatwas, and our exterior issues solved with "money"
Caption: Sectarianism and discrimination

Caption: Rising prices

The use of twitter to air grievances is a growing phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, and one with which authorities are struggling.  

Last April, three Saudi men were sentenced for "sedition, incitement and breaching obedience" to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, as reported by al-Eqtisadiyah, a Saudi newspaper.

The three uploaded YouTube videos directly addressing the king with their grievances. They spoke of issues like low wages, unemployment, and lack of housing, while brandishing their national ID cards.

The first video was uploaded by Abdulaziz Mohammed al-Dossari. In it, he demanded that the Saudi king "share the profits of oil" with the people. 

Do you think Social Media provides a venue for change in Saudi Arabia? Have your say – tweet us @alaraby_en and we'll keep you up-to-date with all the latest trends on the region's social media.

 
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