Mocking Mecca? Saudi Arabian Festival Ignite Outrage

Submitted by on

A music festival attracted criticism for allegedly mocking the Kaaba, considered to be Islam’s holiest site, and for being “insensitive” amid the ongoing wars between Israel and Hamas as well as Lebanon. 

The Riyadh Season, considered one of the "world’s largest winter entertainment events,” is hosting a series of fashion shows, performances, and concerts by celebrities, pop icons, and artists through February 2025. 

One of its performances includes a fashion show by a renowned Lebanese designer, Elie Saab, who celebrated his 45 years in the fashion industry through a grand showcase called "The 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” and a show by international pop star Jennifer Lopez. 

Footage circulating online of one of the festival’s opening events showed a cube-shaped structure displaying bright lights and visuals, with dancers performing around it. Observers and netizens compared the scenes to Muslim rituals performed at the Kaaba, the famous black-stone building at the center of Mecca’s Grand Mosque that worshippers circumambulate around, especially during the Hajj pilgrimage, considered to be one of Islam’s most important pillars.

The video caused a stir among many Muslim and Arab netizens over alleged mockery of the Kaaba, often considered to be one of Islam’s holiest sites. 

Many netizens also criticized Saudi Arabia for being disrespectful and insensitive in holding the Riyadh Season at a time when tensions remain high in the region as Israel continues its war against Hamas in Gaza and even opens a new front in Lebanon after attacks against Hezbollah, where thousands have been killed. 

Riyadh Season was first introduced in 2019 under the country’s Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to boost tourism in the ultraconservative kingdom in hopes of diversifying the country’s oil-reliant economy. 

Many of the liberal reforms, including the festival, pushed by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman stoked criticism and controversy from conservative Islamic figures both in and outside Saudi Arabia, who see the kingdom and its rulers, the House of Saud, as custodians of Islam’s two holiest sites. 

The Anti-Rumors Authority, an NGO in Saudi Arabia, dispelled rumors about the structure at the opening event of the Riyadh Season, saying that there are no replicas or models of the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia, and the black, cube-like structure used in the festival was four mirrors attached to the ceiling, with images, models, and idols digitally processed to appear on them.

The authority also said in a statement that “it is interesting that there are many cube structures which are well-known around the world, such as the wonderful Apple store in New York and the Berlin Cube in Germany, but it does not cross anyone's mind that it looks like the Kaaba, as people are saying today about the Kingdom.”

This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has sparked controversy over alleged mockery or replicas of the Kaaba. Earlier this year, the country started its work on the Mukaab, a large, gold, cube-shaped structure in Riyadh that may beat Dubai’s Burj Al Khalifa to become the world’s largest structure. 

The 50 billion dollar project, set to be 400 meters tall, 400 meters long, and 400 meters wide, was criticized for allegedly resembling the Kaaba.

See More Atheist News

If you like our posts, subscribe to the Atheist Republic newsletter to get exclusive content delivered weekly to your inbox. Also, get the book "Why There is No God" for free.

Click Here to Subscribe

Donating = Loving

Heart Icon

Bringing you atheist articles and building active godless communities takes hundreds of hours and resources each month. If you find any joy or stimulation at Atheist Republic, please consider becoming a Supporting Member with a recurring monthly donation of your choosing, between a cup of tea and a good dinner.

Or make a one-time donation in any amount.