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Should Saudi Arabia change its National Flag? Internet split

After Saudi Arabia announced participation in the Miss Universe Contest 2024, a wild debate on different social media platforms is ongoing seeking responses from the netizens to the question, should Saudi Arabia change its national flag? Read More

Saturday March 30, 2024 1:12 PM, ummid.com News Network

After Saudi Arabia announced participation in the Miss Universe Contest 2024, a wild debate on different social media platforms is ongoing seeking responses from the netizens to the question, should Saudi Arabia change its national flag?

Green in color, the Saudi National Flag features a sword and Arabic inscription. The Arabic inscription on the Saudi flag is actually Kalimah or Shahadah – the Islamic creed:

“There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

The debate on changing the Saudi flag started after Rumy al Qahtani – a local model, announced on Instagram that she will be participating in the 2024 Miss Universe Contest to be held in Mexico in September this year as Saudi Arabia’s official contestant.

What sparked the debate is some of the images Rumy shared while making the announcement. In one of the images half naked Rumy is seen holding the Saudi National Flag while in another she is seen with the Kingdom’s flag wrapped around her body.

Some social media users who found these images offending and desecration of the Islamic creed started an online poll asking netizens to respond to the question:

Should Saudi Arabia change its flag?

In response to a poll conducted by “Suppressed Voice” via its social media handle on X @SuppressedNws, netizens were divided on the questions.

While some social media users responded in affirmative and asked Saudi Arabia to change its national flag, another group countered and asked them to stay off from the Kingdom’s “internal matters”.

“Saudi Arabia really need to consider changing their flag if they intend to continue this madness, imagine a half naked lady holding this flag with the Islamic declaration of faith on it! This is a disgrace to the entire Muslim Ummah and it can't continue (sic)”, social media user Faarees, who identifies himself as an activist, wrote on X.

Saudi Arabia really need to consider changing their flag if they intend to continue this madness, imagine a half naked lady holding this flag with the Islamic declaration of faith on it!

This is a disgrace to the entire Muslim Ummah and it can't continue. pic.twitter.com/ngIFcpXIHl

— F A A R E E S (@MFaarees_) March 29, 2024

“Such acts hurt 2 billion Muslims' sentiments across the world”, Shuja, who identifies himself as “Indian Muslim activist” wrote on X.

"Its disrespectful to the Saudi Arabia as the center of Islam and as the Custodian of two Holy Mosques... Saudi Arabia should change what is written on their flag", another social media user wrote.

"As Saudi Arabia is adopting the modern touch in its culture so it's a high time they should change their flag text as well(sic)", a social media user wrote.

Neha, who identifies herself as a "News and Rights Advocate", is more choosy in her words while participating in the social media debate.

"Considering how symbols hold power and history, a flag change should be approached thoughtfully, balancing tradition with the need for progress. Its a chance for Saudi Arabia to reflect its evolving identity while honoring its heritage responsibly (sic)”, she wrote.

Considering how symbols hold power and history, a flag change should be approached thoughtfully, balancing tradition with the need for progress. Its a chance for Saudi Arabia to reflect its evolving identity while honoring its heritage responsibly.

— Neha (@NAzharTheGreat) March 29, 2024

Another social media is so angry that he called for the intervention by the United Nations.

"There should be a resolution in UN asking for change in Saudi Arabia’s flag, they should stop holding the current one", he wrote.

Angered by the demand to change the Saudi flag, a social media user linked it with historical roots and cultural heritage of the Kingdom.

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. Throughout three centuries, the Saudi flag has witnessed the nation's glory and is a symbol of unity and solidarity, and it is never flown at half-mast. The flag has become a part of the Kingdom's national cohesion, with significant connotations drawn from the Kingdom's deep historical roots and cultural heritage, alluding to growth, prosperity, generosity, solidarity, and national bond", a Saudi national wrote on X.

Social media users however rejected this asserting that “Kalimah is not the Kingdom’s internal matter”.

"I don't have any problem with the way the woman dresses at all. BUT holding the flag of Saudi Arabia with Kalimatu shahada on it is a big red flag. May Allah forgive us", social media user Abu Jawad wrote.

Though the social media users are divided on the question of changing the Saudi National Flag, an overwhelming majority – more than 80%, disapproved the Kingdom’s participation in the Miss Universe Contest.

Not the first time

This is not the first time demands to change the Saudi National Flag have been made. In fact a massive outrage was reported from within the Kingdom and outside over the videos and photographs of some girls - including western dancers, carrying the Saudi Flag with Islamic creed written on it, dancing at music concerts held in Riyadh and Jeddah back in Feb 2022.

Following the unprecedented objection, Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council amended 50-year-old law to make people more respectful to National Flag, Emblem and the National Anthem.

Suggestions to change the Saudi flag were also made ahead of the Football World Cup Qatar in 2022 after FIFA put on display the world cup kits showing footballs with flags of the participating countries, and Arabic inscription of Kalima in green background as seen in Saudi flag was on one of the footballs.

"Saudi Arabia should either change its flag or force FIFA or any country which is making/using this ball....Kalima does not belong to Saudis, it belongs to all Ummah...this is blasphemy", a social media user wrote back in 2022.

In 2018, demands to arrest a Saudi girl was also made when a video of her wrapped in the National Flag and dancing during a football match went viral on social media.

 

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