The Public Prosecution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirmed, in a strongly worded warning statement via its official account on the social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter), on Monday, that preserving the social fabric and strengthening national unity is a sacred national duty that cannot be compromised, stressing that any infringement on these principles will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the regulations and laws in force in the Kingdom.
The Public Prosecution explained that the ban on inciting tribalism stems from the seriousness of such practices and their grave negative consequences, which threaten public order and the unity and stability of society. This warning comes at a time when government efforts are increasing to strengthen national unity and reject anything that could sow discord or incite strife among the citizens of the same nation.
Legal framework and penalties
Legally, inciting tribal or regional tensions through social media falls under Saudi Arabia's Anti-Cybercrime Law. Specifically, such actions are often classified as crimes against public order. According to Article 6 of this law, producing, preparing, transmitting, or storing, via the internet, anything that could harm public order, religious values, public morals, or the sanctity of private life is a crime punishable by law.
Penalties in such cases can reach up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to three million riyals. Legal experts confirm that the Public Prosecution deals firmly with content that fuels racism or tribalism, monitoring violations electronically and referring those involved to the appropriate courts.
The importance of strengthening national unity
These warnings take on added importance in light of the social and cultural transformations the Kingdom is undergoing as part of Vision 2030, which focuses on building a vibrant and robust society. While tribalism, in its social context, is a respected heritage and history, its transformation into a tool for bigotry and exclusion contradicts the principles of Islamic law, which calls for equality, and clashes with the aspirations of the modern state, which prioritizes citizenship above all other affiliations.
Observers point out that inciting tribalism not only undermines internal social harmony but can also be exploited by external actors to destabilize the country. This makes public awareness and adherence to the law the first line of defense for protecting national achievements. Official bodies consistently urge the public to report any hate speech or racist content through designated official channels, rather than engaging in responses that could exacerbate the problem.
