Gulf states warn Netflix over content that ‘contradicts’ Islam
September 7, 2022, 8:24 am

Gulf states warn Netflix over content that ‘contradicts’ Islam

Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California - Photo. Pixabay

Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf countries on Tuesday (Sep 6) accused streaming giant Netflix of broadcasting content that “contradicts Islamic and societal values” and threatened legal action if it was not removed.

A statement issued jointly by the Saudi media regulator and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, headquartered in Riyadh, did not specifically identify the offending content. “The platform was contacted to remove this content, including content directed to children,” the statement said.

Regional authorities “will follow up on the platform’s compliance with the directives, and in the event that the infringing content continues to be broadcast, the necessary legal measures will be taken.”

Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, have repeatedly locked horns with US film distributors over content related to sexual minorities, especially in films.

Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf countries on Tuesday (Sep 6) accused streaming giant Netflix of broadcasting content that “contradicts Islamic and societal values” and threatened legal action if it was not removed.

Saudi Arabia, which only opened cinemas in 2017, asked Disney in April to cut “LGBTQ references” in the Marvel superhero film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Disney did not comply and the film ultimately was not screened in the country.

Twitter suspends accounts of 7 Serbian embassies, consulate

The United Arab Emirates in June banned the Disney animated film Lightyear, which contains a lesbian kiss.

But there was no immediate indication on Tuesday that GCC countries were objecting to LGBTQ content on Netflix. The UAE is considered one of the more liberal countries in the Gulf region, though films with adult content are routinely cut or edited.

Source: dawn

Greece plans to extend Turkey land border Liz Truss accepts invite to visit Ukraine in first call with foreign leader as PM

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”