Music makes an entrance into Saudi society, as decades-old restrictions ease

Record ID: 1685714

  • Title: Music makes an entrance into Saudi society, as decades-old restrictions ease
  • Date: 22nd August 2022
  • Summary: SMALL STATUES OF MUSICIANS ON A TABLE WITH SIGN IN THE BACKGROUND READING (English): "School of Arts." SIGN READING (English): "Music Home... School of Arts." RED KEYBOARD PIANO (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CO FOUNDER AND GENERAL MANAGER OF MUSIC HOME, AYMAN TAYSEER, SAYING: "Honestly, we've faced challenges and some problems for the society to accept music in the beginning. You’ll find in any Arab society now opponents and supporters to music because it includes many considerations like if it’s Halal or Haram, a taboo or not, this exists in the entire Arab world. So we had challenges but we also had support from the state's direction, which was enough to protect us from these consequences."
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2022 09:34
  • Keywords: ART HALAL HARAM INSTITUTE MUSIC SAUDI TABOO
  • Location: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
  • City: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Middle East,Music
  • Reuters ID: LVA002981722082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Commonly seen for years as a taboo in the conservative Saudi society, music is slowly making an entrance into the country.
    Recently, a centre to teach music has been gaining popularity in Riyadh with efforts are being made to introduce music lessons in schools as well.
    "Honestly, we’ve faced challenges and some problems for the society to accept music in the beginning," CO-Founder and General Manager of Music House Institute Ayman Tayseer, said. "But we also had support from the state's direction, which was enough to protect us from these consequences," he added.
    The institute teaches children as well as adults several instruments including oud and piano.
    For some adults, it was a thrill to start learning music after it hadn't been available for so long.
    "For my generation this wasn't available," Alanoud Suttam, who came to learn piano, said. "I'm happy that after the struggle, people can now passionately learn music."
    Saudi society has been witnessing rapid social changes under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, like lifting bans on women driving, gender mixing and public entertainment.
    In 2016, the Saudi government launched the General Entertainment Authority as part of Vision 2030 to sponsor concerts and provide entertainment options for Saudis, who are accustomed to travelling abroad to see such shows.
    (Production: Mohammed Benmansour)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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