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By The Drum Team, Editorial

June 2, 2010 | 2 min read

Saudi Arabia has become the latest Muslim nation to become embroiled in a culture clash with a Western staple following a short lived action by Pakistan against Facebook and a similar block on Youtube by Bangladesh.

Now it’s MTV has been hit by a conservative backlash after the oil rich kingdom’s ‘religious police’ detained three youths for “openly declaring sin”.

The show, called ‘True Life – Resist the Power, Saudi Arabia’ documented the daily trials of life in a state where religion influences all aspects of law.

One of the accused, Aziz, was recorded saying: “We are not free to live as we like” after complaining about the subterfuge required meeting a girlfriend.

Another local, Fatima, was pictured trying to start a business trading in ‘abaya’ cloaks, a must wear accessory (literally) for all women in the country, in colours other than the mandatory black.

The show also followed a heavy metal band struggling to find venues and turning T-shirts inside out whilst praying so as not to disrespect God.

An Islamic sharia court has one week to decide whether to proceed with a trial or dismiss the case.

MTV Saudi Arabia

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