Saudi outrage over tweet by UAE official about princess

The adviser of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, has provoked anger among Saudi activists on social media websites, after he praised the appearance of the daughter of the deceased Saudi king, Princess Hayfa bint Abdullah, on the cover of fashion magazine Vogue.

Activists said Abdullah’s blog post includes an insulting claim that Saudi Arabia has been enchained by tight restrictions.  They warned him not to interfere in the kingdom’s affairs.

Abdullah said in a blog post via his Twitter account: “Saudi Princess Hayfa bint Abdullah is on the cover of Vogue, the world’s most famous fashion magazine, making the occasion of Saudi women being allowed to drive. Princess Hayfa says: ‘In our country, some conservatives fear change, and I support it with enthusiasm.’ She is another example of a modern Saudi woman who challenges the restrictions.”

الأميرة السعودية هيفاء بنت عبدالله على غلاف "فوغ" أشهر مجلات الموضة في العالم بمناسبة السماح للمرأة السعودية قيادة السيارة. تقول الأميرة هيفاء: في بلدنا بعض المحافظين يخشون التغير وانا مع التغير بكل حماس. مثال آخر للسعودية الجديدة التي تتخفف من قيود التشدد pic.twitter.com/OjG3cjy9tF

— Abdulkhaleq Abdulla (@Abdulkhaleq_UAE) May 31, 2018

One of the activists commented:”This academic represents the stupidity of the Emiratis. Who are you to allow yourself to interfere in Saudi Arabia and its internal affairs? You have repeatedly posted tweets related to Saudi internal affairs, which are red lines that should not be crossed.”

Read: Saudi princess Vogue cover sparks anger over jailed activists

Another activist said: “Excuse me, but I think you are focusing a lot on the subject of openness; this is none of your business!!!”

On the cover of Vogue’s June edition, the daughter of the deceased Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz appears wearing a white dress and black gloves sitting inside an open car next to two phrases: “Driving Force” and “A celebration of the trailblazing women of Saudi Arabia.”

The magazine says on its website that this is the first edition that is entirely dedicated to Saudi Arabia, and “celebrates the women of Saudi Arabia and their huge achievements.”

Earlier this year, the Saudi authorities lifted a ban which has been imposed on women driving cars in the kingdom for decades. From 24 June, Saudi Arabia will allow women to drive as part of a reform plan led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.