Coffee shop named after Marilyn Monroe in Saudi Arabia told to change name

Dubai, Apr. 11 (ANI): A coffee shop named after Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe in a Saudi city was shut down and its owner asked to change its name following a successful online campaign by the residents.

Residents of Al Jouf in northern Saudi Arabia said they did not want a shop carrying the name of the actress in their city and pressed their demands in a campaign to call for its boycott. The campaign was launched on microblogs and social networks and bloggers criticised the management of the mall where the coffee shop was located for approving the name, reports Gulf News.

The campaign, however, did not specify the reasons for refusing the name, particularly as Saudi Arabia is home to several shops carrying the names of famous US and other Western entertainment figures.

Meflah Al Klaid, the Jawf Plaza Mall manager, said they had to seal off the coffee shop after they were "surprised" by its name. The entrepreneur, who rented the shop, did not brief them on the name, he said.

The company owning the mall said that the manager's attitude clashed with the social values held in the city. It said that the shop will not be allowed to re-open until it complies with the regulations.

Saudis commenting on the report varied between harsh criticism of the campaign targeting the coffee shop and open support.

Abu Nawaf said that the shop name was normal and that the outrage in the northern city was insignificant.

Another citizen, Doyoon, he could not see what was wrong with the name, and that the locals should not have overreacted, as it is just a coffee shop, not a religious institution or an official building.

However, Bin Mubtah said that residents could not accept the name of a "sex symbol" who could not inspire young people and whose values clashed with the local culture.

Menawi, a blogger, said that he pitied the owner "who thought that he could lu! re clients to his coffee shop with the name". (ANI)