Many users said they would offer the old man financial assistance if he is located
By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: A street sweeper has become an instant celebrity after Saudis lashed out at a social media user who provoked their fury by ridiculing a man pictured looking at a display of gold items in a shop in Saudi Arabia.
“This man should be looking only at other street cleaners,” the post said under the picture of the old bearded foreigner staring at the items behind the shop glass.
A prompt reaction came from social media users, assailing the condescending attitude of the caption on the Instagram post.
A person using the moniker “ensaneyat” (Humanities) asked for assistance to identify the old man, pledging to offer him a gold set.
“I urge anyone who knows this man get in touch with me. There is a gold set waiting for him,” ensaneyat posted.
Other users promised to offer the expatriate after he is identified “financial assistance.”
Outraged users said that the disparaging remarks against the old man did not reflect the genuine values of the Saudi society.
“Saudis are overwhelming good people, ready to help others, and this despicable post does not represent us in any way,” a user writing under the moniker of Greetings posted.
“Rare exceptions should not be used to judge a whole nation.”
Ahmad, another user, said that the tweet was a blatant example of the misuse of social media.
Insult
“There are some people who have been exploiting social media in the most despicable way,” he posted.
“They misused them to insult, vilify, scorn, disparage, blackmail, spread corruption, spy on people and ruin the reputation of the nation and people. These people should be severely punished.”
For Tariq, people must be wary about what they say or post and must not judge others by their appearances.
“We are all against racism, and you never know whom God favours. Do not think that your nationality or money will give you a special status. This simple worker could be loved much more than the one who mocked him will ever be.”
Abu Faisal warned that “people who despise others out of their arrogance will one day be despised and denigrated by others.”
© Gulf News 2016
