The kingdom opened to tourism in 2019, but, like other Gulf countries, is often criticized for its history of human rights, including illegal homosexuality, a possible crime. Items targeted in the Riyadh raids include bows, skirts, hats and pencil cases, most of which are made for children, according to a report on Tuesday night by the state-run Al Ekhbariya news channel. “We are taking a tour of objects that are contrary to the Islamic faith and public morals and promoting gay colors aimed at the younger generation,” said a Commerce Department official involved in the campaign. Some of the items confiscated. Photo: Ministry of Commerce of Saudi Arabia Gesturing to a rainbow flag, one journalist added: “The gay flag is in one of Riyadh’s markets.” Colors send a “poisoned message” to children. The report did not detail how many stores were targeted or items seized and Saudi officials did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. The rainbow raids come as Saudi Arabia has banned films depicting, or even referring to, sexual minorities. In April, the kingdom said it had asked Disney to cut “LGBTQ references” from the Marvel Doctor Strange film in Multiverse of Madness, but Disney refused. Saudi regulators have opposed a 12-second scene in which a character refers to her “two moms”. An official said at the time that the government was trying to work with Disney to find a solution, but in the end the film was not shown in cinemas in Saudi Arabia. Tuesday’s report showed footage of Benedict Cumberbatch at Doctor Strange and “obviously foreign children waving rainbow flags.” Disney’s latest animation, Lightyear, which includes a same-sex kiss, has also been banned in Saudi Arabia and more than a dozen other countries, according to a source close to Disney. Riyadh has not commented on this film, but it has not appeared in the charts in major cinemas. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST Saudi Arabia lifted its decades-long ban on all cinemas in late 2017 as part of a social upheaval led by successor to the throne, Mohammed bin Salman, which is shaking the conservative kingdom. Since then, the country has seen a significant increase in movie ticket sales, with revenues totaling $ 238 million in 2021, up 95% from the previous year, according to a report by Variety magazine in January.
