Dubai, Aug. 23 (AP): The Saudi police arrested a 14-year-old boy who was filmed dancing to the Macarena at an intersection in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, according to local media reports today.
The video, which went viral on social media ins the kingdom, shows the boy with head phones and wearing grey sweat shorts, a striped T-shirt and neon green and yellow Crocs on his feet. He is swaying his hips and arms to the 90s hit song, appearing to be smiling and giggling throughout the dance.
The state-linked Sabq news website quoted Col. Aati bin Attiyah al-Qurashi as saying police arrested the young man yesterday and were preparing to refer him to prosecutors for disrupting traffic and improper public behaviour.
Western music and dancing is taboo in Saudi Arabia, but such incidents in the past have not necessarily led to lengthy imprisonment or serious punishment. The young man may be asked to sign a police form vowing to not disrupt traffic again.
Traditional dance, however, is permitted. Saudi King Salman and President Donald Trump were filmed taking part in a traditional all-male Saudi sword dance in May when the President visited the kingdom to boost ties.
Saudi Arabia's young heir to the throne, 31-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has pushed for greater openings for entertainment in the kingdom, including allowing a limited number of musical concerts after a more than a 20-year-ban.
He has also encouraged young Saudis to become more physically active as part of a wide-reaching reform agenda that includes raising life expectancy in the country.
Diplomatic visits
Iran and Saudi Arabia will exchange diplomatic visits soon, Tehran said today, indicating a possible thaw in relations between the regional rivals since they severed diplomatic ties last year.
Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) that the visits could take place after the Haj pilgrimage ends in the first week of September.
"The visas have been issued for both sides to make this trip," Zarif said, according to ISNA. "We are waiting for the final steps to be completed so diplomats from the two countries can inspect their embassies."
Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are at their worst in years, with each accusing the other of subverting regional security and supporting opposite sides in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in January 2016.
