Saudi singer, Mohammad Abdo, is no stranger to making the rounds on social media as his songs and concerts constantly circulate on various platforms.
This week, however, the star is going viral for a controversial statement he made during an interview on Al Arabiya.
During the sit down, Abdo was asked about recent changes in the kingdom, including the lift on the country's long-standing ban on women driving. In response to that, he said:
"I was always a strong supporter of women's right to drive. This is something that is needed. Tell me about any country in the world that doesn't allow women to drive, there aren't any. So until when would that have continued in the kingdom?"
Carrying on with the conversation, the singer then added that reforms in the kingdom have allowed Saudis to liberate themselves from burdens they dealt with for years.
"Before the recent changes in Saudi Arabia, people used to live with two personalities. One they'd use among their families and people they know in the kingdom and another they'd turn to elsewhere. We had double personalities. Now we can finally live with one, inside the kingdom and when we travel abroad."
Abdo's statements didn't go down too well with many Saudis
"This man doesn't know what he's saying"
People were pretty upset...
"This is an unacceptable generalization. If he said 'some,' there might have been some space for discussion. Exaggeration in anything (even an idea) is resented. When you discuss an issue, you've got to be logical about it."
To say the least...
"I wish he had stayed silent."
Saudi tweeps trolled Abdo over the statement...
"Mohammad Abdo in his home vs. Mohammad Abdo abroad."
The trolling was endless...
"Saudis have two personalities and Mohammad Abdo has four."
Not everyone disagreed with the star though...
"Saudis have three personalities:
- A personality they use with their families (Reserved.)
- A personality they use in the kingdom (Tradition adherer.)
- A personality they use when abroad (Out of control.)"
"His words largely reflect reality"
"I used to say the same thing before. Can you deny that some young men travel, attend mixed concerts, and pretend to be reserved in front of their families. I hail him for speaking the truth and anyone who stands against his statement falls into the category he mentioned in the interview."
And were willing to defend his words...
"I swear what he said is the truth. I don't care about those who want to argue with me over this."