Controversy over new Paris Hilton store in Saudi Arabia
Reported by Saudi Gazette / Edited by PHS
There has been a mixed reaction to Paris Hilton’s new shop in Makkah after the US socialite announced the branch’s opening on Twitter three days ago.
Some Saudis questioned why someone who was once involved in a scandal would be able to open a shop in the holy city.
News of the Makkah shop started trending after Hilton tweeted the branch had opened, along with a photo of the shop, which sells bags and accessories under her name.
In her tweet, she wrote: “Loving my beautiful new store that just opened at Mecca Mall in Saudi Arabia.”
Despite already having four stores around the Kingdom, some people criticized Hilton’s Makkah branch. A Twitter hashtag, translated as, “Opening of Paris Hilton store in Makkah”, attracted tweets both supporting and attacking the shop.
Supporters said there was nothing wrong with the branch since Makkah already had the Hilton chain of hotels, while critics believed her name should not be in the holy city.
One tweeted: “Her grandfather’s hotels are around the Kingdom, and you just want to create a fuss out of anything.”
Another one asked sarcastically: “Is she coming to open the store?”
Others pointed to the fact that women in Saudi Arabia cannot drive but foreign women are allowed to invest in the Kingdom. A reaction to the shop started developing when someone tweeted that Hilton had gained fame through [the release of a private video].
Another tweeted: “How can someone who made such a video open a store in the holy city next to the Grand Mosque?”
Another tweeted: “It is not acceptable to have such a woman open her store here.”
Posted: November 18th, 2012
Comments:
8
From: admin
Time: November 18, 2012, 8:13 pm
Keep in mind that Saudi Arabia is the most undemocratic state in the Middle East. There’s virtually no freedom and women aren’t allowed to drive.
From: Dawn
Time: November 19, 2012, 8:26 am
That old tape is like 12 years old and it was really quite boring.
I believe Paris when she says she did not intend for it to be shown publicly. Her old boyfriend put it on the web.
It was a mean and cruel thing to do to Paris.
From: retrograde
Time: November 20, 2012, 7:25 am
Paris’s version of Last Night (featuring Lil Wayne) just leaked!!
From: Dawn
Time: November 20, 2012, 7:59 am
I like it a lot !!
Her voice is very strong and the song is good!
Let’s hope she keeps going in that vein!
From: andrewstar
Time: November 20, 2012, 2:33 pm
CANT BELIVE IT!
what a shame that we had to wait until its leaked
ill always think this album could be a MAX boom!
Hope the whole album is leaked and the song balade
and 2008 album cause ive heard both of them are somewhere…
From: s
Time: November 21, 2012, 3:31 am
ahhhh. can you imagine if this had been released 6 months ago? it’s amazing. thank you so whoever leaked it. this is glorious.
From: Jen
Time: November 21, 2012, 10:09 am
I hope we’ll hear more soon!
Her voice sounds so much better than it used to.
Loves it.
