'Disgraceful:' Netizens slam Jennifer Lopez's concert 80 km from Makkah

American pop star Jennifer Lopez attended the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix motorsport event and later delivered an energetic performance at the post-race concert in Jeddah,sparking backlash from netizens who condemned the authorities for organising a music event just 80 km from the holy city of Makkah.

Videos of Lopez’s high-energy performance on Saturday quickly circulated on social media, showing crowds, including local Saudi attendees, enjoying the show. 

She was joined on stage by international artists such as Usher, Major Lazer, Peggy Gou, and PartyNextDoor, as well as Arab stars like Marwan Pablo, Tul8te, Hisham Abbas, Mostafa Amar, and Hamid El-Shaeri.

Lopez, a global icon known for dominating both the US box office and music charts, has sold over 80 million albums worldwide and garnered billions of views across digital platforms.

According to Saudi Gazette, Lopez was a VIP guest of the Ferrari team and also attended the Formula 1 race.

Read: Outrage after music concert held at Thamudic site near Madinah

However, her appearance sparked controversy online, with viral videos showing her in bold, revealing attire in Saudi Arabia. Many users criticised the nature of the concert, arguing that it disrespected the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites, especially due to its proximity to Makkah.

Critics expressed concern that such events could hurt the sentiments of Muslims who hold deep emotional and spiritual reverence for the area.

However the concert received criticism with Muslims criticising that it violated the sanctity of the two holy places and should not be kept so bold and outrageous. 

The video hurt the sentiments of ose who have emotional importance to the site 

“Shameful and disgraceful scenes on the land of the Two Holy Mosques under the patronage of the regime of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his entertainment advisor Turki Al-Sheikh,” Sr Sam Youssef, an academic researcher said on X. 

“Another concert by Jennifer Lopez in revealing clothes is added to the record of achievements of Bin Salman and Vision 2030, this time in Jeddah, only 80 kilometers away from the Holy Kaaba!” another X user said. 

After a wave of harsh criticism directed at Jennifer Lopez's concert in Riyadh, she returned yesterday, this time through Jeddah, near the Two Holy Mosques, in a show said to surpass its predecessor in boldness and excitement! A X user wrote in Arabic.