A "No dancing or swaying" instruction on tickets to Egyptian pop sensation Tamer Hosny's upcoming concert in Saudi Arabia has triggered an avalanche of mockery and ridicule on social media, AFP reported Tuesday (March 6th).
Thousands of fans were taken by surprise when tickets for Hosny's first-ever Saudi concert in Jeddah on March 30th came with the edict that dancing was "strictly prohibited".
"Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts," one Twitter user said.
"The corridors and seats will be equipped with sway detectors. Anyone who thinks about swaying will be kicked out."
With its new modernisation drive, the 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.
