The area cursed by the Prophet has now become an open club for foreign girls – Muslims got angry after watching the video, there was a ruckus
Riyadh, 11 April 2025: An incident has come to light in the ancient city of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, which has created a wave of anger and controversy in the Muslim community. According to Islamic history, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once cursed Jabal Al-Fil, an area near AlUla, which was later seen by Islamic fundamentalists as having sanctity and religious significance. But now the news of opening a modern nightclub and entertainment center in the same area has created a ruckus, where foreign girls have been invited to perform. Many Muslim scholars and common people are enraged after seeing the video going viral on social media, and it is being termed against Islamic values.
What is the whole matter?
AlUla, a historical city located in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia, is known for its ancient civilizations, hills, and religious significance. According to Islamic traditions, the Prophet Muhammad once cursed the Jabal al-Fil region, as it was considered a stronghold of some infidels and rebels of that time. This area was advised by many Islamic scholars to be visited with purity and caution. But now, under the modernization policy of the Saudi government, a luxury nightclub and entertainment center has been opened in this area, where foreign dancers and models have been called to perform.
The video going viral on social media shows that a grand event was organized in AlUla, where foreign girls are performing and people are enjoying dance and music. Many Muslim users and religious leaders have expressed anger after seeing these videos. Maulana Abdul Rahman al-Kittani, a prominent Islamic scholar, said, "This area is one of the cursed places of the Prophet, and using it for such activities is against Islam. It hurts our religious feelings."
Government's stand
Under the Vision 2030 policy of the Saudi government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), there are plans to make AlUla a hub of tourism and entertainment. The government says the move is to take the Saudi economy out of its dependence on oil and create employment opportunities for the youth. State media has described these criticisms as a "conspiracy of radical elements" and said the development of AlUla is part of Saudi Arabia's progress. A government spokesman said, "We want to embrace modernity while preserving our cultural heritage. These events will attract international tourism
However, many people do not agree with the government's argument. People are condemning this move in thousands of posts with trending hashtags #AlUlaScandal and #ProphetCurse on social media. One user wrote, "Nightclub in the cursed area of the Prophet? This is an insult to Islam." On the other hand, some users have described it as a sign of progress of Saudi Arabia.
Video viral, outrage in Muslim community
The video shows that a grand stage was set up in the Jabal Al-Fil area of AlUla, where foreign models and dancers are performing. There are also reports of live music, dance, and alcohol being served in the program, which is considered against the strict Islamic laws of Saudi Arabia. Seeing these videos, many radical Islamic organizations have attacked the Saudi government. Some religious leaders of Iran and Egypt have termed it as "degradation of Islamic values".
Many users on X on posts have described this incident as a "religious insult". One user wrote, "AlUla was considered a cursed area, and now it is being made a party spot. This is a betrayal of our religion and history." However, some users called it a part of Saudi Arabia's modernization and said that it is time to get out of religious fanaticism.
Historical and religious background
According to Islamic history, the Jabal al-Fil region was cursed by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, because the area was a stronghold of some rebels and infidels of that time. The area is considered religiously sensitive in many Hadiths and Islamic texts. But the Saudi government has started developing the area for tourism in recent years, including ancient sites, luxury hotels, and now entertainment centers.
International reaction
Internationally, some human rights organizations have welcomed this policy of Saudi Arabia, but voices of criticism have been raised from many Muslim countries, especially Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Religious leaders of these countries have appealed to the Saudi government to reconsider such activities.
Conclusion
The nightclub and foreign performance incident in AlUla has highlighted the conflict between modernisation and tradition in Saudi Arabia. While the government sees it as part of progress, there is opposition to it in the Muslim community. This controversy may intensify in the coming days, as Saudi Arabia plans to bring many more changes under Vision 2030.
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