"I am very happy that they are here in Saudi Arabia for the first time," said a young girl, Amira, who wore a veil loosely over her head. Another young Saudi, who asked not to be named, said she was happy that her country was "opening up to pop music." But others criticized BTS for performing in the kingdom due to its oft-criticized human rights record and targeting of dissidents and homosexuals. As Saudi Arabia boosts its entertainment offering, its record has put off some artistes, including rapper Nicki Minaj, who pulled out of the Jeddah World Fest in July, citing human rights concerns. "This concert means a lot to me," said Mohammed, who had the green Saudi flag tied around his shoulders.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 13, 2019 16:18 UTC