Some social media users believe the calls for her arrest are hypocritical and rooted in racism. These are the lyrics of the song that has attracted controversy:
I'm a Mecca girl
I'm a pedigree girl
Because I work hard
During tough times
I don't lean on others"
The rapper and the video production team will be prosecuted.
The Emirate of Makkah Region posted the following tweet translated from Arabic: "The Prince of Mecca Khalid Al-Faisal issues an order to apprehend the people who produced the Mecca Girl rap song, which is harming the customs and traditions of Mecca's people and contradicts the noble manners of its people. His order includes referring the concerned authorities for investigation and to be punished accordingly."
READ MORE: To end secret divorces, Saudi women will at least now receive a notification via text
The calls for the arrests received a divided response under the hashtags #You_Are_Not_Mecca's_Girls and #Mecca_Girl_Represents_Me. Here are some of the comments.
Had it been an affluent, well connected, light skinned Saudi influencer who created the video it would have been used in MBS's propaganda as a sign of progress and reform. Double standards & hypocrisy at its best. #????_????_???
— MS SΛFFΛΛ ???? (@MsSaffaa) February 20, 2020
Ok as a muslim I didn't like the video clip bc it can give bad vibes about mecca. but Excuse me most of you are attacking the girl and personally just bc she is black why!
— Nesrine ???? (@Nasrine12366527) February 20, 2020
Let's ba honest all the racists were really looking for chance to attack black people in SAU #????_????_???
#MBS spends millions on events to promote his vision of an open & tolerant society. But when a #Saudi woman of color raps about women like her in a beautiful tribute to her city, she’s detained!
— Amani Al-Ahmadi | ????? ??????? (@amani_aal) February 23, 2020
Where’s the woman empowerment!?Where’s #vision2030, or is that for westerns only!?
READ MORE: Women Uber drivers in Saudi Arabia can now choose to do women-only Uber trips
Saudi Arabia recently spent millions to host western celebrities and influencers as part of the socio-economic reforms championed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to give the kingdom's image a makeover.
Compiled by Phelokazi Mbude
Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Sign up to W24’s newsletters, so you don't miss out on any of our stories and giveaways.