Kevin Hart’s Controversial Show in Jeddah Sparks Outrage Amid Hajj Season

Watan-In a shocking irony, the sacred Islamic ritual of Hajj coincided with a controversial American comedy show held in Jeddah, as part of the “Jeddah Season” entertainment program. The show, performed by comedian Kevin Hart—known for his bold style and sexual innuendos—was hosted in a theater named after prominent Saudi artist, “Abadi Al-Johar Arena.”

What’s striking is that the show not only went ahead but drew a large crowd, despite strict regulations: no filming, confiscation of phones, and an age restriction barring anyone under 18. These measures, however, did not hide the nature of the performance, which included segments mocking values—at a time when millions of Muslims were arriving in Mecca for pilgrimage.

The event sparked a wave of backlash on social media, with many seeing it as a blatant affront to the Kingdom’s Islamic identity and a contradiction to its role as guardian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Saudi Entertainment Reform or Moral Decline? Vision 2030 Under Fire

Criticism extended beyond the show itself to Saudi Arabia’s overall entertainment policy, which is undergoing a “radical transformation” under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030. Observers argue this is not a thoughtful cultural openness, but rather a state-sponsored moral breakdown disguised as “modernization” and “improving quality of life”—at the expense of Islamic principles.

Strikingly, such events often coincide with bans on public calls to prayer and crackdowns on religious activities, reflecting a concerning duality in the state’s official narrative: unchecked openness paired with the restriction of Islamic expressions.

Many are asking: Has the land of the Two Holy Mosques become a stage for unregulated entertainment? Has Saudi Arabia shifted from the guardian of Hajj and Umrah to a promoter of value-eroding performances? These are the legitimate questions being raised by the outraged—while the official silence persists.