Saudi Arabia's Comedy Festival Sparks Tension Over Human Rights Record
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Saudi government's efforts to rebrand the kingdom as a hub for arts and culture have been put to the test by controversies surrounding several acts at its comedy festival. The event, which took place in October 2025, was part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative to diversify the country's economy and promote tourism.
The festival featured performances by international comedians, but some acts sparked outrage over their perceived disrespect for Saudi Arabia's laws and customs. One comedian made jokes about the kingdom's strict dress code, while another mocked its human rights record. The backlash was swift, with many Saudis taking to social media to express their anger and disappointment.
"The comedy festival was a missed opportunity for Saudi Arabia to showcase its cultural diversity and tolerance," said Dr. Hatoon al-Fassi, a Saudi scholar and women's rights activist. "Instead, it highlighted the country's lack of understanding about what is considered acceptable humor."
The controversy has raised questions about the government's ability to balance its desire to modernize and open up to the world with its need to maintain control over its citizens' behavior. Saudi Arabia has faced criticism from human rights groups for its treatment of women, minorities, and dissidents.
"The comedy festival was a small step towards cultural exchange, but it also showed how far we have to go in terms of understanding each other's cultures," said Dr. al-Fassi. "We need to learn to laugh at ourselves and not take everything so seriously."
The Saudi government has defended the festival, saying that it was an important step towards promoting arts and culture in the kingdom. However, the controversy has sparked a wider debate about the country's human rights record and its efforts to rebrand itself as a more tolerant and open society.
As the kingdom continues to navigate its complex relationships with the international community, the comedy festival has become a symbol of the tension between Saudi Arabia's ambitions for modernization and its need to address its human rights issues. The incident is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the country's reputation abroad and its ability to attract foreign investment and tourism.
The Saudi government has announced plans to hold another comedy festival next year, but it remains to be seen whether the event will be able to overcome the controversy surrounding this year's edition.
*Reporting by Npr.*
