Spoof video case shines light on how we are as a society

Eight people have been jailed for their part in the creation of a spoof video which was seen to harm the image of the UAE, prompting Khalid Al Ameri to see what the fuss is about.

On Monday, eight people, including two Emiratis, accused of harming the image of UAE by producing a spoof documentary, received prison sentences ranging from eight months to one year and fines of up to Dh10,000.

When I originally heard about their arrest, like many interested citizens and residents, I went to YouTube to see what all the fuss was about.

Upon finding the “Visa Cancel” channel – which also hosts other parody videos with titles such as “Dubai Chick Magnet” and “Offensive Behaviour In Dubai: Self Service” – it was easy to get an idea of the type of content these young people are producing.

The video in question documents a “combat” school in Satwa, an area of Dubai, where people are taught to fight with the agal, the traditional UAE head gear, and the na’al, which is the Arabic sandal. Academy graduates are given soccer shirts, which according to the video, are popular attire for residents of that area.

Further elements of the video show the actors trying to pick up women (also actors) and receiving a call to go to a fight that never happens.

The last time we had someone going to prison for a similar offence was a Ras Al Khaimah-based rapper and “gangster” named Dangour.

The only difference is that the content Dangour was posting – which included violence, derogatory remarks and threats – had residents alarmed at the possibility of him following up on his words. Many believed that a prison term was exactly what he deserved.

On the other hand, the Satwa G spoof video was pretty silly and, in an artistic context, made for fairly painful viewing.

Other than smiling a little at the agal training part, I didn’t really see what the big deal was. Having said that, this is simply one man’s humble opinion.

I can see why many UAE citizens and residents would be offended by this video, especially those who count themselves as proud residents of Satwa. I can also see why international audiences might form a general impression of our country given the nature of the content involved.

But from a different perspective, I do see many citizens and residents simply shaking their heads at the silliness of the video, the below-par acting, and probably getting angrier about that fact that it will be 19 minutes of their life they will never get back.

This has left a lot of people asking why there has been such a harsh reaction from the authorities, which leads me to quickly question whether there is an issue above and beyond the video that has yet to be disclosed. And hopefully someone will, because on this side of the Atlantic (I am writing from California) traditional and online news outlets, including CNN, are covering this story extensively.

Leaving them aside, this case opens up the topic of how social media is being used by citizens.

With tweets, status updates, blogs and videos being regularly posted on issues ranging from comedy to politics, we must ask ourselves where do we draw the line? Where does something go from being funny or stupid to being offensive or harmful to the public image of the UAE?

If you want to accuse the men and women involved of harming the public image of our country and throw the book at them, many will be in favour. After all, a law is a law.

But we can’t forget that how we react to such incidents as a society and who we choose to make an example of, is also a reflection of everything we stand for as a nation.

The facts speak for themselves: our country has a phenomenal history of triumphing against all odds. We have a loving leadership and a people dedicated to making this country a standard for global excellence. Furthermore, we are going head to head with global powerhouses for international honours and winning. The award of the Expo 2020 is the most current and shining example of this.

Lastly, and probably most importantly in this case, we are a beacon of tolerance in this world.

We are an example of how more than 200 nationalities can come together in peace and harmony to make each other’s lives better – and all the spoof videos in the world can’t take that fact away.

Khalid Al Ameri is an MBA candidate at the Stanford Graduate School of Business

On Twitter: @KhalidAlAmeri