Saudi cookie seller becomes social media sensation

Abdullah Al Dhibikhi, 27, was first spotted selling traditional kleicha cookies at the Al Janadriyah cultural festival

This screengrab from Twitter.com shows the social media fanfare that has grown around the Saudi market-stall cookie seller. Twitter

Following in the footsteps of Pakistani chai wala Arshad Khan, a handsome Saudi cookie seller has found overnight fame after his image stole the hearts of many fans on social media.

Abdullah Al Dhibikhi was spotted while selling a traditional sweet called kleicha in a booth at Al Janadriyah cultural and heritage festival in Riyadh, and images and video of him quickly spread on Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.

"During these festivals, I usually work behind the scenes to ensure that everything is going smoothly, this time I decided to help the salesman and so my participation in Al Janadriyah sparked controversy," the 27-year old said in an interview with a social media blogger.

Al Dhibikhi said he was “surprised” to see the reaction of people who surrounded his booth to take photos and videos of him.

"What a shame, all of this fuss and he is selling kleicha, he should be one of Hollywood's movie stars or at least a model," wrote this user on Twitter:

The newfound fame reportedly prompted the Saudi bachelor to post a sign at his stall asking customers to “buy the kleicha first and then take photographs”.

“If you don’t marry a man with his looks, then stay at home with your parents," commented this user on Twitter:

Al Dhibikhi said that he is not only a kleicha seller but is also a businessman who has been manufacturing popular Saudi goods for 12 years while a team of young Saudis work with Al Dhibiki organising festivals and exhibitions around the kingdom.

Kleicha is considered to be the national cookie of Iraq, and is usually made with a walnut or date filling, and is traditionally served in homes during the holiday season.

"Please don't go," writes this Twitter user as the caption of a video that show Al Dhibikhi leaving his market stall:

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What became of Arshad Khan, Pakistan’s most famous chai wala?

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