Saudi TV host, actor, and singer Abdallah Al Shahani was arrested for dabbing during a concert in Taif, Saudi Arabia last weekend, according to the BBC.
The Saudi Interior Ministry’s National Commission For Combating Drugs recently banned the dance move because they consider it a reference to marijuana. A notice from the commission warns “people about the dangers of this [move] on the youth and society, and is warning against imitating,” per BBC’s translation.
He apologized on Twitter on Tuesday, saying it was an accident and writing (via BBC): “I apologize to our respected government and to my audience for unintentionally and spontaneously making the dance move at Taif festival. Please accept my apology.”
By James Rettig | Billboard
https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2017/08/10/saudi-singer-arrested-for-dabbing-says-he-did-it-by-accident/23074087/
[Editor’s note: I can’t imagine anything like this happening in the United States! We take so many of our freedoms for granted here.]