Saudi Arabia Blocks Facebook Over Moral Concerns

Abdullah Al-Shihri, Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- An official with Saudi Arabia's communications authority says it has blocked Facebook because the popular social networking website doesn't conform with the kingdom's conservative values.

The official says Saudi's Communications and Information Technology Commission blocked the site Saturday and an error message shows up when Internet users try to access it.

He says Facebook's content had "crossed a line" with the kingdom's conservative morals, but that blocking the site is a temporary measure.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam and religious leaders have strong influence over policy making and social mores.

Pakistan and Bangladesh both imposed temporary bans on Facebook this year.

Comments

[Amber Shahid]

11:27 AM on 11/22/2010

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article190596.ece One answer to all the racist prejudices. This AP news is simply fake and idiotic which aims at entertaining those who love laughing at other cultures. AP has simply done an irresponsible job.

[eric14]

07:07 AM on 11/17/2010

Can see the Book. Cannot see the Face.

[Roger Thorland]

12:31 AM on 11/17/2010

The royal family has a great life: worshiping in billion dollar mosques, driving fine European luxury and sports cars, drinking American whiskey, abusing Filipino guestworkers, and ignoring their Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine.

[ZappaFreak]

03:33 PM on 11/16/2010

Wait...let me guess..."A line in the sand?"

Morals? Really? Islam is having some really tough issues regarding morals right now. I would call this the pot calling the kettle black...

Look, who cares? I have no friends over in Saudi Arabia? Do you? If this country disappeared from the map tomorrow, the world would be a better place.

And...if they can grab onto a few neighboring countries as they slide down the drain, that would be nice too! LOL!

ZF

Google this....facebook that...YouTube views...Rats Ass!

[Amber Shahid]

06:42 PM on 11/21/2010

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article190596.ece the true picture.

[BocaMom]

12:12 AM on 11/16/2010

The Middle East is nuts.

[alaskan1st]

08:24 PM on 11/15/2010

If they want to live like that fine. But morals are in question when they allow pedophiles, stoneings, etc. If they want to live like barbarians, they should stay home. Never come to civilized places. I'll avoid the ME if they'll avoid USA.

[Patrick Brennan]

08:11 PM on 11/15/2010

Saudi's launch new parallel site BURQUA BOOK!

[RAMstein]

11:11 AM on 11/16/2010

LOL! How can you have "Facebook" in a country where you can't even see the Face of half its population. You've come up with the perfect answer.

[Daniel Krumholz]

06:30 PM on 11/15/2010

stop with the criticism and let them carry out their religion! criticism=root of all problems

[RAMstein]

11:12 AM on 11/16/2010

Religion=root of all problems.

[Roger Thorland]

12:25 AM on 11/17/2010

Ignorance=root of all problems.

[spiderbucket]

04:33 PM on 11/15/2010

But it's perfectly moral to behead someone, right ? What a backward culture.

[Bowen Man]

06:36 AM on 11/16/2010

Yeah, they should be using the same methods that are used in the U.S. That would be less backward, right?

[Roger Thorland]

12:26 AM on 11/17/2010

If only we could apply it to Wall Street bankers because usury is banned in Sharia law.

[New Apostle]

12:39 PM on 11/15/2010

Facebook remains open in SA. It was closed temporarily. This column should be updated.

Also, one should be careful in criticizing Saudi (and other regimes in the ME), because US policy supports and maintains them, lest democracy comes and people choose a more (surprise) Islamic leaning govt. (which would be bad for the US as people in the ME have very unfav, views of US FP)

[TYRANNASAURUS]

11:30 AM on 11/15/2010

The Saudi elite use Islamic morality as a means of control........ they live high on the hog and don't want to lose their crowns.

[alaskan1st]

08:18 PM on 11/15/2010

Some Christians do that too

[TYRANNASAURUS]

10:42 AM on 11/16/2010

Lots of those so called Christians......you mean.

[Planet Caravan]

11:07 AM on 11/15/2010

Saudi Arabia = Backward

[neo-moderate]

10:55 AM on 11/15/2010

The US should block Saudi Arabia for the same moral concerns...

[Bowen Man]

06:37 AM on 11/16/2010

Yeah, who needs their oil.

[vulpecula762mm]

09:49 AM on 11/15/2010

I bet this doesnt apply top their 3,000 spoiled rotten debauched princes does it?

[Patrick Brennan]

08:10 PM on 11/15/2010

EXACTLY!

[dubbleplusgood]

09:24 AM on 11/15/2010

A good start to any boycott of Saudi Arabia will include turning off Fox News.

[Roger Thorland]

12:28 AM on 11/17/2010

Then Prince Alwaleed will just invest in MSNBC or CNN.