Saudi safety, how culture is king and serious April Fools’ Day jokes

Sarah Khamis tracks what's trending in Arabic social media

#arabictrending

Al Hazm Storm, the Arabic name of the Saudi-led operation to fight the Houthis in Yemen, has been stirring a minor storm in the Twitterverse. And then there was a conference that supports entrepreneurs in Dubai and the best April Fools’ trick to play on your friends. It’s been a chatty week on social media.

Al Hazm Storm

The hashtag Al Hazm Storm was alight with debate about the Saudi offensive against the Houthis in Yemen and what it might mean for the kingdom. Many tweets focused on Saudi Arabia’s safety.

@ajlnews tweeted a photo showing two Saudi army men guarding the borders and wrote “Eagles are guarding the borders of the kingdom. Live scenes from the southern areas”.

@sharurah24 referred to how safe is Najran, the Saudi city near the border with Yemen: “Commander of Najran border guards said our southern borders are completely safe and we were able to respond to some Houthi fights”.

Emirati Khalifa @khaleefauae explained the offensive as a departure from the Saudi leadership’s normal behaviour: “Our leaders’ manners are those of kindness and wisdom but if anyone tries to take advantage of this, they will fight back with fists of iron”.

Abdul Malek @dr_alqassem urged people to pray for the outcome they wanted: “Don’t let these events and long days make you forget to pray and ask Allah for victory”.

Step 2015

Step, a technology conference that focuses on design and gaming in the region, spurred several strands of conversation both in English and Arabic. The conference, which claims it brings together the latest trends, featured more than 50 international speakers, those involved in up to a hundred start-ups, up-and-coming indie music, and the best of Dubai’s eclectic food scene.

Asma Al Janahi said it was “great”, adding that “innovative and new technology ideas are everywhere”.

Social Media Club @SMCUAE tweeted handy advice: “Entrepreneurs must concentrate on their work” .

@Xische a company that describes itself as a “hybrid consulting boutique in Dubai and New York” tweeted enthusiastically with a photo that said “‘Culture is the new king. Not content.”

April Fools’ Day

April Fools’ Day is the one time of the year that tricks can be played on people without offending them too much. But how do people in our region respond to this globally observed 24 hours of fun and games?

@adelalhajaji Adel was emotional and all serious as he tweeted “ I wish that April Fools’ Day meant that every sin in life is a trick, a lie”.

@MariamNsr Mariam wanted a life that was totally made-over on the day of tricks: “Let’s try this April Fools’ Day by telling ourselves: The world is going to be more beautiful and safer. That whatever is broken inside of us will be fixed and our sorrows will turn into happy songs. Who knows these lies may become true”.

Other Twitter-users shared a tweet from @bn_baz that had a link to a site explaining what Islam says about lying even if the lie was a joke: “Sheikh Ibn baz said, “Muslims are not allowed to lie even in jest”.

Writer, poet and TV presenter Zahi Wehbe tweeted a touching poem: “How can I not believe that lie in your eyes, while you hide all these tears behind that smirk”.

Noran @Noran_H thought it might be a good day for silent admirers to step forward and confess their feelings for someone: “Whoever likes someone go and confess to them today. If it goes well then it would be great, in case it doesn’t, then just tell them it’s April Fools’ Day”.

Sarah Khamis is The National’s social media editor

On Twitter: @SarahKhamisUAE