. Saudi authorities were widely mocked for saying dancing was ‘strictly prohibited’ at Tamer Hosny’s concert
. Concert-goers to the gig in Jeddah were also told women and men would be seated in different areas of arena
. Despite this tickets to see the Egyptian pop sensation sold out within two hours and 6,000 people enjoyed gig
Saudi women enjoyed a pop concert last night with plenty of selfies being taken in the crowd – but sadly none of them were able to dance as they were banned from doing so by the authorities.
Last month the authorities were widely mocked for selling tickets to Egyptian pop sensation Tamer Hosny’s concert in Jeddah with a written instruction that dancing is ‘strictly prohibited’.
Concert-goers were also told that women and men would be seated in different areas of the arena.
One Twitter user joked: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts.
‘The corridors and seats will be equipped with sway detectors. Anyone who thinks about swaying will be kicked out.’
Despite this, the widely-anticipated show sold out within two hours and the 6,000 concert-goers looked like they were having a great time.
At one point in the gig, Mr Hosny even asked the audience to turn on their mobile phone flashlights so he could film the moment to share with the world.
With its new modernisation drive, the ultra-conservative kingdom has hosted a series of concerts in recent months by artists such as Lebanon’s Hiba Tawaji and legendary Greek composer Yanni.
Men and women are often seen breaking into dance at such events, in scenes that were unimaginable not long ago.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is leading the reform drive, is seeking to balance unpopular subsidy cuts in an era of low oil prices with more entertainment options – despite opposition from Muslim religious hardliners.
The reform stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from a protracted slump in oil prices.
Saudis currently splurge billions of dollars annually to see movie shows and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai.