The Saudi Entertainment Authority and Its Impact on Arab Art

⚪️Art Without Conscience: Productions That Escape Reality

Instead of addressing urgent issues such as the wars on Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, the Saudi Entertainment Authority offers trivial artistic productions focused on frivolous songs and entertainment series devoid of any meaningful political or social substance. These productions do not reflect Arab reality in any way but rather represent a deliberate escape from confronting bitter truths.

Examples of artistic works that ignore the cause:

🫶 Massive "Riyadh Season" concerts hosting international artists while Gaza is under bombardment, such as the "Billboard Live" concert with rapper "Vevo" 🫶 The series "Smoking Prohibited," which offers empty comedy while a famine unfolds in the 21st century 🫶 Amr Diab's song "Not Enough," which focuses on romantic relationships at a tragic time 🫶 The entertainment program "Blood Brothers" aired on the "Shahid" platform with Saudi sponsorship ⚪️Artists Without Stance: Suspicious Silence and Astonishing Submissiveness

Arab artists under the umbrella of the Saudi Entertainment Authority have become models of cowardice and opportunism. While Western artists risk their careers to support Palestine, Arab stars compete to secure the Authority's support and vie in silence and neutrality.

Examples of artists who abandoned their stance:

Nawal Al Kuwaiti, who participated in Riyadh concerts while children in Gaza died under the rubble Mohammed Abdo, who did not issue any statement condemning the war on Gaza despite his artistic stature Assala Nasri, who continued posting her romantic songs on Instagram without any reference to the tragedy Rashid Al Majid, who preferred silence over solidarity with war victims Nancy Ajram, who continued posting personal photos as if nothing had happened

A Disheartening Comparison: Courageous Western Artists vs. Hypocritical Arab Artists

While Western artists face significant restrictions when expressing support for Palestine, many risk their careers for principles:

Examples of Western artists who defended Palestine:

🫶American singer Lana Del Rey, who faced fierce backlash for her pro-Palestine posts and was accused of anti-Semitism 🫶Actor Mark Ruffalo, who remained steadfast in his support for Palestinian rights despite Hollywood pressures 🫶 British actress Penélope Cruz, who defied media restrictions and declared her solidarity with Gaza 🫶 Singer Dua Lipa, who faced a smear campaign for supporting Palestinians 🫶 Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, who challenged the Zionist lobby to support human rights in Palestine 📌Conclusion: Does Art Without Conscience Deserve to Be Called Art?

The Saudi Entertainment Authority funds art without soul, artists without conscience, and productions without identity. At a time when the world needs art to expose injustice and support the oppressed, the Saudi Authority presents a model of opportunistic art that chases money and false stardom.

Turning art into a consumer commodity devoid of human and moral substance is a crime against Arab culture, and marginalizing the Palestinian cause in artistic production is a betrayal of history and identity. True art is not empty entertainment but the voice of the oppressed and the sword of truth that cuts through the tyranny of oppressors.