‘Day of Rage’ a damp squib
Published: Mar 12, 2011 00:20 Updated: Mar 12, 2011 00:33
RIYADH/JEDDAH/DAMMAM: It was a normal Friday yesterday across the Kingdom despite worries that the calls on Internet social sites for a “Day of Rage” might be heeded.
“There was nothing of the sort,” security spokesman of the Interior Ministry Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki told Arab News four hours after the Friday prayers. There were no demonstrations anywhere in the Kingdom, he said.
People were wary after reports of the incidents that marred protests in Qatif on Thursday, leaving three people injured.
But Riyadh, Jeddah and other cities were quiet for a Friday that saw pleasant weather, although there was a strong police presence. In both Riyadh and Jeddah, police helicopters were briefly in evidence.
Al-Turki refuted agency reports that demonstrators had been fired at in Qatif on Thursday. “It is totally untrue. What actually happened was that the police had to fire shots in the air to control an emerging situation by a very small number of protesters who snatched a video camera being used by a policeman to document a shooting incident. This was believed to have come from the center of the small crowd,” he said. Al-Turki was not certain if the protesters returned the camera.
In Allegiance Square (Al-Baia), downtown Jeddah near the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which had been one of the sites specified by the “propagators of sedition” as a location for the protests, the “Day of Rage” was nowhere to be seen before and after Friday prayer. There was no intensified security presence either.
Later in the day, during Arab News’ tour of the city, it found the Al-Baia in Balad district closed and a sizable number of police present in nearby streets. But they all disappeared by dusk. A police officer said the square had re-opened after Maghreb prayers.
Young Saudis could be seen driving their cars carrying messages of support and loyalty to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and pictures of him.
“I plastered photos of the king all over my car. It cost me SR650. I just wanted to send a message to those who called for demonstrations,” said 30-year-old schoolteacher Abdullah Al-Baqami. “We love our country and our king. You will not make us alter our love for our country and our king by what you say,” he wrote on his vehicle. Al-Baqami said he intended to park his car the next day in front of the school where he is teaching so that the students could read the message.
The king’s photo was posted in the window of a shop in Jeddah selling car accessories by Faisal Al-Marashi, a 22-year-old student at King Abdul Aziz University. “Our love for our country and our government isn’t new. We inherited that from our forefathers who vowed allegiance to King Abdul Aziz,” he told Arab News.
Social networking site Facebook also carried postings of Saudis who were opposed to the protest plans. Their number took up more than 30 pages and they exchanged congratulations on Friday’s protest turning out to be a non-event.
The unprecedented rallying of the Saudis behind their king took the world by surprise, a Facebook post said. One blogger praised citizens of Jeddah for not making even the slightest move to protest.
Meanwhile, towns and cities across the Eastern Province were also quiet and activity somewhat subdued as many people chose to stay home. In Qatif, where there was a small protest Thursday night, town elders urged people to stay off the streets and most appeared to heed that advice. One Qatif activist said he heard there was a protest in Hofuf some 130 km south, but Arab News could not get any independent confirmation of this.
On Friday, mosques were full for noon payers. Two hours later, at around 1:30 p.m. Arab News visited the city and found streets and alleyways empty. Restaurants and gas stations were open, but there were few customers. There were not many vehicles on the streets. At least one helicopter flew overhead, though there were far fewer men in uniform. Qatif was quiet, which is generally not the case on a typical Friday afternoon.
When Arab News spoke to one resident about not seeing many people on the streets, he was not surprised.
“What do you expect to see on a Friday afternoon at 2? People are resting at home after saying their prayers,” he said. “Everything is fine - no protests, nothing.”
A group of expatriates at a gas station close to Qatif Plaza mall seemed nervous. They said it was abnormally quiet for a weekend.
A little farther from Qatif, a small zoo was almost empty with just two families visiting.
“Yesterday was particularly bad. We had no visitors, which is highly unusual,” one of the zoo staff said.
“We usually have hundreds of families and children packing this place on Thursday and Friday. Reports of trouble in the area have kept people away.”
Some expatriates remained home on Friday. “We were told by our company managers to avoid going out, and that is what we did,” said John Sebastian, a sales engineer at an Alkhobar-based ticketing agency. “We were mostly watching television and remained glued to it after dramatic images began appearing of the tsunami in Japan.”
Other people decided not to worry about anything and just enjoy the weather. “You media people are the ones to create all this hullabaloo,” said Pakistani businessman Munnawar Azeem Chaudhry, who took his wife and three daughters to the Dammam Corniche.
“Look for yourself. Everyone is having a ball,” he said pointing to an Egyptian family barbecuing kebabs over hot coals.
Congregations dispersed peacefully after Juma prayers in Riyadh mosques.
Security was visibly tight. In Olaya Street, between Faisaliah Tower and the Kingdom Tower, there were more than 20 patrol cars.
The traffic was thinner than usual with people preferring to stay home after prayers. However, supermarkets saw regular custom and even roadside fruit and vegetable vendors in front of mosques enjoyed brisk business.
Saudi Arabia had announced on Saturday that it would not allow any demonstrations in the country that are aimed at undermining the Kingdom’s security and stability.
“Laws and regulations in the Kingdom totally prohibit all kinds of demonstrations, marches and sit-in protests as well as calling for them as they go against the principles of Shariah and Saudi customs and traditions,” the Interior Ministry had said in a statement.
The Shoura Council and Board of Islamic Scholars also severely condemned any form of protests against the leadership describing it as an action against the tenets of Islam. Jumma sermons in Riyadh mostly focused on finding solutions through dialogue as the only way advocated by Islam.
The imam at a mosque in Malaz district said that the Kingdom’s foundation is based on the book of Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
“We cannot be dictated by the democratic policies advocated by Western countries,” the imam said.
Addressing the country’s youth, the imam at Al-Rowaidah Mosque called them the backbone of the community. “We are well aware of their needs and aspirations,” he said, stressing that youth must be able to differentiate good from bad for the greater good of the nation.
On Thursday, football fans made plain their allegiance at the match between Al-Nasr and Al-Hilal in Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium. They raised the photos of the king and waved the Saudi flag. Football fans in Makkah and Madinah made the same show of support. One banner held up by the fans read: “We do not deserve to live in a country that we are unable to protect.”
A senior diplomat, who performed his Friday prayers at a mosque in the capital’s Diplomatic Quarter told Arab News that everything went on as usual. He said that he had driven around the city following prayers and the only thing he noticed that was different was that security arrangements had been beefed up in some areas.
Comments
JUNAID
Mar 12, 2011 01:39
Report abuseBut I would like to say that govt should try sense the nerves of their people. You cant make everyone happy, but one can try. Govt shold try to be more close and understand the problems. Coz belive me, whatever you do but if incidents like Jeddah floods and corruption exposed in it will make everyone happy and unhappiness sometimes becomes violant.
May Allah guide all of us to the right path .. :)
NISHTHAR IDROOS
Mar 12, 2011 01:40
Report abuseMOHAMMED
Mar 12, 2011 11:58
Report abuseMOHAMMAD ZUBAIR KHAN
Mar 12, 2011 11:59
Report abuseAMER
Mar 12, 2011 12:01
Report abuseMAHID MUSTAPHA
Mar 12, 2011 12:01
Report abuseMOHAMMEDALI
Mar 12, 2011 12:34
Report abuseMUJEEB
Mar 12, 2011 12:34
Report abuseMay Allah give strength and aafiyah to the people who have committed to uphold the values preached and practiced by Mercy Of Aalameen Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).May Allah shower his mercy on Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab who dedicated his life against cancerous polytheism and Bida'a.
KHALID MAHMOOD
Mar 12, 2011 12:34
Report abuse008.048 Remember Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them, and said: "No one among men can overcome you this day, while I am near to you": But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he turned on his heels, and said: "Lo! I am clear of you; lo! I see what ye see not; Lo! I fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment."
Al-Qur'an, 008.048 (Al-Anfal )
ABDUL RAHIM
Mar 12, 2011 12:35
Report abuseS.S.JAFFRY
Mar 12, 2011 12:37
Report abuseSHADHULY A. HASSAN
Mar 12, 2011 12:47
Report abuseARMANDO
Mar 12, 2011 12:49
Report abuseABOU HIBA
Mar 12, 2011 12:51
Report abuseABDUL QUADER
Mar 12, 2011 12:51
Report abuseNAVEED
Mar 12, 2011 12:51
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Mar 12, 2011 12:52
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Mar 12, 2011 12:53
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Mar 12, 2011 12:53
Report abuseSARAH SHAHID
Mar 12, 2011 12:54
Report abuseGAMMAL
Mar 12, 2011 12:55
Report abuseFATIMA
Mar 12, 2011 12:55
Report abuseUSMAN AZAM
Mar 12, 2011 13:04
Report abuseSHAMCEY
Mar 12, 2011 13:06
Report abuseBILAL
Mar 12, 2011 13:06
Report abuseAZKAR
Mar 12, 2011 13:06
Report abuseSAIF
Mar 12, 2011 13:09
Report abuseZIA AHMED - DAMMAM
Mar 12, 2011 13:09
Report abuseRAMEE
Mar 12, 2011 13:12
Report abuseFEROZ
Mar 12, 2011 13:13
Report abuseTIM
Mar 12, 2011 13:16
Report abuseDO NOT WISH TO MENTION
Mar 12, 2011 13:20
Report abuseELYAS ELIAT BAESHEN
Mar 12, 2011 13:23
Report abusePARVEEN RIZVI
Mar 12, 2011 13:27
Report abuseThe Koran states in Chapter 2, Verse 190: "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors."
ZULFIKAR
Mar 12, 2011 13:28
Report abuseUBAH ADAN
Mar 12, 2011 13:29
Report abuseSHEREEN
Mar 12, 2011 13:30
Report abuseLELALEE
Mar 12, 2011 13:30
Report abuseAHMED
Mar 12, 2011 13:30
Report abuseLELALEE
Mar 12, 2011 13:31
Report abuseJAMAAL ABDUL-RAHIM
Mar 12, 2011 13:33
Report abuseMAJID
Mar 12, 2011 13:40
Report abuseABDULKADER
Mar 12, 2011 13:41
Report abuseyes, apart from the 15 000 police, 5000 police vehicles, 250 temporary checkpoints and helicopters, it really was a normal friday
ever wondered about the meaning of the word 'oppression' ???
MUSLIM
Mar 12, 2011 13:42
Report abuseSHADHULY A. HASSAN
Mar 12, 2011 13:42
Report abuseZAHID KHAN
Mar 12, 2011 14:08
Report abuseMERLIN
Mar 12, 2011 15:37
Report abuse"Whereas in KSA people are happy and live in peace and harmony"
Apparently not!
BILAL ".......people who demonstrated in qatif and some other places have always been the enemies of islam and they being saudi's don't have sympathy with this land"
Not much peace and harmony there then?
MD. RUSSELL TALUKDER
Mar 12, 2011 15:37
Report abuseMOHAMMED
Mar 12, 2011 15:38
Report abuseZAEEM AHMED
Mar 12, 2011 15:38
Report abuseEJAZ
Mar 12, 2011 15:39
Report abuseENGINEER UMAIR SHAH
Mar 12, 2011 15:40
Report abuseAlhamdulillah
Long Live Saudi Arabia
Long Live King Abdullah
i am glad to see the peace and stability in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is the center of Islam therefore no Muslim can see unstability here.
I salute to the Govt. of KSA for its good and peaceful governce as the demonstrations were stopped in a peaceful way.
MOHAMMED AKRAM MUGHAL
Mar 12, 2011 15:41
Report abuseGOD ALLMIGHTY IS WITH BIGGEST ISLAMIC COUNTRY - SAUDI ARABIA.
LONG LIVE THE KING
MOHAMMED SHARFUDDIN
Mar 12, 2011 15:41
Report abuseABDUL MOTALEB
Mar 12, 2011 17:48
Report abuseIMRAN
Mar 12, 2011 23:18
Report abuseMOHD ILYAS
Mar 13, 2011 04:40
Report abuseABDUL KHALIQUE
Mar 13, 2011 04:47
Report abuseNESREENE
Mar 13, 2011 04:49
Report abuseAZKAR
Mar 13, 2011 04:49
Report abuseRONALDO
Mar 13, 2011 13:26
Report abuseMOHAMMED ABDUL NAYEEM KAISER
Mar 13, 2011 13:30
Report abuseEDONIS PEREIRA RIBEIRO
Mar 13, 2011 13:40
Report abuseIt is not shameful to fight someone who fights against Islam, but we should be proud to defend Islam and Muslims.
Every Muslim believes that Allah is greater.
Despite being brazilian and living in Brazil I would never allow anyone to denigrate the sacred land of mosques with ideas polytheists or apologies to polytheism.
I pray that Allah protect the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as their king Abdullah bin AbdulAziz Al Saud.
I studied Islam and the language of the Holy Quran in Saudi Arabia.
Today, Arabic is my first language.
RAHEEL JUMA
Mar 13, 2011 13:40
Report abuseWhat this political System Gives to other counties See the example of Pakistan .. Iran ... Iraq .... and take any of muslim / non muslim country this political regim is nothing to do with the interest of a common man . And i tell you truly that We pakistani are paying huge huge amount of this political system and now pissed off with the term politics and politician
Please take our example and dont ever go for any political revolution in this peacefull Land
SUMA
Mar 13, 2011 13:41
Report abuseSYED MOAZZAM ALI ACC JEDDAH
Mar 13, 2011 13:44
Report abuseAHMED
Mar 13, 2011 13:45
Report abuseSAM
Mar 13, 2011 13:45
Report abuseS ALVI
Mar 13, 2011 13:45
Report abuseASMA
Mar 13, 2011 13:46
Report abuseSHAFEEQ KHAN
Mar 13, 2011 13:46
Report abuseKARINA
Mar 13, 2011 13:51
Report abuseSYED NOOR
Mar 13, 2011 13:52
Report abuseBRAVO PEOPLE OF SAUDI ARABIA..... AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL AND THE BELOVED KING ABDULLAH AND ENTIRE FAMILY.
Shame on US and evil planners.
K.SYED
Mar 13, 2011 13:53
Report abuseFAROOQ
Mar 13, 2011 13:55
Report abuseGENE
Mar 13, 2011 13:58
Report abuseRICHARD
Mar 13, 2011 14:00
Report abuseMore charming conspiracy theories from the obsessed with the west crowd.
⢠âÂÂœ westerners tried to spread rage but alhumdulillah they ended up increasing locals love nd showing their strength âÂÂœ
⢠âÂÂœ INSHALLAH NOTHING WILL GO WRONG AS WESTERN WANTS. âÂÂœ
⢠âÂÂœ i have 2 tell all the saudi youth don't trust the west they looking 4 your oli only.destroy the real islam. âÂÂœ
Really? Where did you all hear those bits of nonsense?
Westerners have NOTHING to do with Arab rage or the lack of it. Westerners could not care less! Westerners are concerned with their own problems and the earthquake in Japan.
Other Arabs are setting themselves free or at least trying to do so, even at the cost of their lives. Those with less courage will not do anything. Nobody cares whether Saudis live as slaves or free people. It is Saudis who need to care.
Perhaps some of the conspiracy theorists have not yet heard that the Arab League has asked the evil, western controlled UN to impose a no fly zone on Libya.
Interestingly enough, they are not opting to send Arab peace-keeping troops. Therefore, more Libyans will die thanks to the Arabs.
FILIPINO NURSE
Mar 13, 2011 14:01
Report abuseSYED SIDDIQ PASHA
Mar 13, 2011 14:01
Report abuseMIRAZ
Mar 13, 2011 14:03
Report abuseDR.MOHAMMAD BASIT ALI-MBA PHD FIRST CLASS JEDDAH
Mar 13, 2011 14:04
Report abuseCHARLES SAID
Mar 13, 2011 14:05
Report abuseWhat understand you for peace and harmony?
Treataning your wife like your horse or can is harmony?
Treataning others saudi's tribes or others nationalities people like slaves or secondaries citizens are peace or harmony?
Untill Saudi people understand that all being human are all for equal,man and women,saudis or foreigners,you never will live with peace and harmony
JAMAL ASFAR
Mar 13, 2011 14:05
Report abuseMUHAMMAD MUSHTAQ
Mar 13, 2011 14:09
Report abuseKHALED SHALHOUB
Mar 13, 2011 15:15
Report abuseSHAUN CANAVAN
Mar 13, 2011 15:43
Report abuseBAWAZIR
Mar 13, 2011 17:03
Report abusewe love you king abdullah.......
BASIT ALI
Mar 13, 2011 17:05
Report abuseJON LOPEZ
Mar 13, 2011 17:09
Report abuseDESERT_SAINT
Mar 13, 2011 23:15
Report abuseI had been in Saudi Arabia ever since the Gulf War, I have witness military deployment, but I felt I am more safer here in KSA than in the Philippines.