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Arabia
Star Academy Winner Told to Leave Riyadh
2005-04-22
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice detained "Star Academy 2" winner Hisham Abdul Rahman briefly and then put him on a plane back to Jeddah from Riyadh. Hisham was detained for what the commission called "sparking an indecent gathering" in the Kingdom Tower in the capital.

Hisham, who had arrived in Riyadh to participate in a number of social events following his win in the Star Academy popular reality show, was surrounded by fans, both male and female, when he was just browsing the mall. The teen fans, on spying the young star, mobbed him and vied to shake his hand. Some even kissed him while congratulating him on his achievement. This proved the last straw for the members of the commission who were at the mall. They waded into the crowd and broke up the impromptu crowd that had gathered around Hisham. They then asked Hisham to leave the mall for creating the chaos and triggering "immoral" acts — as they called it. Hisham then entered into a slanging match with the members of the commission and also called them names. He even threatened to take action against them if they did not leave. An altercation ensued with the members of the commission trying to pull Hisham away from the milling crowd. The crowd then joined in and began pulling the new star toward them as a veritable tug-of-war took place, leaving Hisham's clothes in tatters.

A member of the commission then managed to drag Hisham out and pushed him into their waiting van. He was then taken to the commission's center in Olaya where he was questioned and held under custody. The commission then received a direct order from an official in the Riyadh governor's office to immediately send the singer back to Jeddah. Hisham was then escorted by the commission's head to the airport and was put on the plane back to Jeddah. Bander Al-Mutairy, the head of the Commission's Center in Olaya, said that the case was over and the orders were direct and clear from the governor's office. Al-Mutairy, who refused to elaborate to Arab News, said that they had nothing personal against Hisham. But he violated a rule and created chaos in the Tower Mall and that had to be stopped. "I refuse to say more. We have everything under control and the governor is aware of what happened," Al-Mutairy said.
Posted by:Fred

#11  Abu Zell!
Posted by: Frank G   2005-04-22 6:06:32 PM  

#10  3dc, you mean these where you ask; "Is it safe?"
Then I agree. ;-)
Posted by: Sobiesky   2005-04-22 5:37:42 PM  

#9  But, but, Sobiesky, the experiments could be so much fun to run....
Posted by: 3dc   2005-04-22 5:28:08 PM  

#8  Here in Riyadh, we don't take kindly to your loose Jeddah morals.
Posted by: Whuling Sneth6118   2005-04-22 11:55:09 AM  

#7  Seafarious said, with a voice full of emulsion. (In the spirit of pun and Malaprop)
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2005-04-22 10:54:55 AM  

#6  Raj on a roll with a side of wry.
Posted by: Seafarious   2005-04-22 8:58:22 AM  

#5  Raj has been on a roll lately...
Posted by: Frank G   2005-04-22 8:23:31 AM  

#4  :) Raj.
Posted by: Shipman   2005-04-22 7:40:19 AM  

#3  3dc, no need to use expensive medical procedures to ascertain what must be apparent to any person with 2 brain cells--they are damaged. Whether it is psychosomatic or congenital, does not make much difference. I would suggest a short remedial program instead. ;-)
Posted by: Sobiesky   2005-04-22 4:04:33 AM  

#2  and then put him on a plane back to Jeddah from Riyadh.

So kiss me, and smile for me...
Posted by: Raj   2005-04-22 12:35:28 AM  

#1  We should get hold of some typical members of the Commision for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The medical experts really need to examine these folks. Interactive NMR scanning of their brains and such while noting their reactions to stimuli. Genetic tests and such. My guess is that its some sort of congential problem... one just crying out for a painfully long treatment program.
Posted by: 3dc   2005-04-22 12:22:54 AM  

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