Saudi Religious Police Arrest 2 Men For Giving “Free Hugs"
Abdulrahman al-Khayyal, drew inspiration from a YouTube video by a young man who did the same thing, says he will continue his ‘act of charity’ anyway. The man is a but a prisoner of love.
By Sadho Ram — 24 Nov 2013, 02:13 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
A Saudi Arabian man has been arrested for offering free hugs on the streets of Riyadh in a bid to boost people's days
Abdulrahman al-Khayyal, 21, was inspired to go walk about after seeing a viral YouTube video where a young Saudi man named Bandr al-Swed embraced random walkers on the road.
slate.com
It may look like a kind gesture, but religious police in Saudi Arabia say such ‘exotic practices’ violate local laws. A still from the video that inspired al-Khayyal.
Image via nydailynews.comBut when al-Khayyal tried to copy the clip, he was arrested by the state's religious police.
Cops, who also detained his unidentified friend, said the pair was "violating local laws" and "undertaking exotic practices."
This image comes from the video that inspired Abdulrahman al-Khayyal to embrace strangers on the streets to boost their moods
In that video, which has since been removed, Bandr al-Swed was filmed hugging young men, in a three minute clip that racked up over a million views in three days.
The Free Hugs Campaign is a movement that sees individuals offer hugs to strangers in public places, especially in big cities, 'to brighten up their lives'
He and his friend were arrested there while waving banners marked 'Free Hug' in English, according to news website Sabq.org.
frontpagemag.comAbdulrahman al-Khayyal, 21, and a friend were apprehended as they walked down a street in Riyadh holding a sign which read 'free hugs'.
dailymail.co.uk
The Free Hugs Campaign is a movement that sees individuals offer hugs to strangers in public places, especially in big cities, 'to brighten up their lives'
Image via dailymail.co.ukAlthough they were made to promise they would not repeat their actions, al-Khayyal told the Independent he was proud of what he had done and would carry on as he considered it charitable.
The incident has prompted surprise and controversy in Saudi society
It's a free hug, not a free drug for God's sake!' wrote one Tweeter in support of the campaign.
However, another user slammed the move. 'Today it's one hug, tomorrow it's a free kiss, and the next day it'll be free sex!'
Abdulrahman al-Khayyal (pictured), 21, and a friend were apprehended by Saudi Arabia's religious police for walking down a street in Riyadh holding a placard which read 'free hugs'
Image via dailymail.co.ukThe religious police, or Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, is charged with ensuring compliance with the kingdom's strict interpretation of Islamic morality.
dailymail.co.ukThey are also empowered to stop unrelated men and women socialising with each other, as well as any homosexual activity and prostitution.
But the force is often accused of abuses.