Al-Rahi's Caricature in Saudi Daily Sparks Anger on Social Media
Al-Watan Saudi newspaper published on Tuesday a caricature criticizing Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi's visit to Syria, which sparked popular outrage on social media websites.
Jihad Awrati's caricature replaced al-Rahi's mitre with a rocket and highlighted the common letters between the patriarch and the Syrian president's names in Arabic.
The depiction was met with anger and criticism on social media websites.
“Political differences are no excuse to depict al-Rahi in this manner,” television personality Bassam Abu Zeid tweeted.
Meanwhile, radio Jaras Scoop said it strongly condemns al-Watan's caricature.
Al-Rahi's visit to Syria, through which he aimed at taking part in the inauguration celebration of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Levant and Antioch Youhanna al-Yaziji, created a heated debate locally as several officials including President Michel Suleiman called against politicizing it.
The March 14 and 8 alliances are deeply split over the revolt in Syria as the opposition backs the collapse of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
However, sources in the church described the visit as “religious,” and supported by the Vatican.
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