REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, By Ikhwanul Kiram Mashuri

Who superstar or famous figures Saudi Arabia, which has millions of followers in social media? It was not a king. Not a prince. Also not the mainstream ulema. Also, not those who joined in haiah Kibarul alias Council respected religious scholar. Also not a football player or a television star.

According to BBC News (3/3), the Saudi leaders the most followers on social media it is still ulema. This is natural in a country where the king was nicknamed "Custodian of the Two Holy Places". However, they are not major ulema 20 member haiah Kibarul Ulama. The latter is an official institution, headed by the State Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Alu Sheikh, in charge of giving fatwas to the king and the nation.

They, the scholars of social media, are  virtually as a scholar "periphery". BBC News described, there are four Saudi preacher-like superstar. They have millions of followers in the social medial. They are comparable to the pop star or world leader. From jeans to the epithet "Brad Pitt" the scholars.

Mention the name of Ahmad Mazin al-Shugairi. If there is a preacher's cool, it's him. He was traveling with the jet from one country to another. He was delivering the sermon dressed in jeans and T-shirts.

When young people infatuated social media, al-Shugairi including the first to take advantage of this digital world. With the modern style and approach, as well as the views are moderate, even young children quickly feel close to him. Today, approximately 13 million people always follow his tweets. The same amount was also to follow his Facebook page. While on Instagram, there are about five million who always listened to his post.

However, the moderate view is not without controversy. Liberals fear he is an influential force to Islamize secular thought in the Arab world. Instead, the militant group accused al-Shugairi preached "Islam is too lightly".

Clearly, al-Shugairi now seen as a moderate voice among the most influential preachers. His views assertive when it comes to radicalism and extremism. '' Islam is not a religion of violence, '' said the man 42 this year.

Next was Mohammad al-Arifi, 46 years old. He was nicknamed "Brad Pitt" the scholars. It is not clear what in common with the handsome actor who has starred in the film Mr & Mrs Smith. It could be because both have a lot of fan. Followers of al-Arifi on Facebook reached 21 million people. Meanwhile, on Twitter more than 14 million.

However, in contrast to the real Brad Pitt, al-Arifi is a charismatic figure. It is also known that the religious leaning hard and controversial. In a show on television (2007), he calls the husband should "beat softly" his wife if she disobeys. In a tweet in 2012, he opposed the idea of women working outside the home.

Al-Arifi said to have a good relationship with the government and the Saudi ruling family. However, the relationship soured when he blasted railway network linking the holy sites in Mecca. He mentioned as "the worst in the world". In 2014, he was arrested and imprisoned.

Other leading scholars in social media is Salman al-Ouda. He is often associated with things that are controversial. Ngetop name began when it became a trending topic on online media in 2012. At that time, he caught up the motor during the pilgrimage in Mecca to avoid congestion. Cash only its emergence into controversy on social media. Understandably, the figure of the clergy, especially in Saudi Arabia, is the one who keep up appearances. Riding motorcycles in the country's petro dollars only to those lower classes.

Another controversy is regarding his view of his wife. Al-Ouda reject polygamy. He emphasized that men should marry only one woman. This opinion is certainly not favored by men, in a country where polygamy is common.

Interestingly, formerly known scholars extreme view. He is also often criticized the government. However, after a taste of life in prison for five years in 1994, he then changed. He, for example, does not support the struggle of the model of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.

On the sixth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US, he questioned the actions of Osama bin Laden. '' My brother Osama, how much blood has been spilled? How many people, children, the elderly, and the innocent woman was killed in the name of Al Qaeda? Would you be happy to meet God Almighty carrying the burden of hundreds of thousands or millions of victims in back you? ''

Now, "his students" on Twitter reached 8 million, up about 5 million. Meanwhile, following its posting on Instagram amounted to 1 million people.

Superstar social media is the next Saudi woman. Nawal al-Eid name. Pan-Arab women's magazine, Sayidati, ordain him as the most influential Saudi women. His followers on Twitter to reach 1 million people, up 45 thousand, and Instagram touch the figure of 150 thousand. Figures are fantastic for women in Saudi Arabia.

However, do not hope you can see such a woman 40 years ago. This hadith science doctor never posted her picture. Understandably, this Saudi, man. At the initial appearance in public was only by voice. That is, when making routine event in a radio voice for women's rights.

Surprisingly, even though he was known as a defender of women's rights, he opposed a law antipelecehan against women in the country. Physical and verbal abuse often complained of Saudi women.

According to the lecturer at the University of Nora, Riyadh, this, the law in prison and fines do not address the root problem. He holds, dress modestly and reduce the chance of mingling between men and women will prevent abusive men.

Al Eid is also opposed to the struggle for gender equality, which he said were taken from Western values. He said adhere to the teachings of Islam will make women get their rights. '' Will the weak female body was able to emulate the male body is so powerful 'Eid al wrote in an article, "The Biggest Lie" in 2013.

Whatever the opinion Shugairi Ahmad al-Mohammad al-Arifi, Salman al-Ouda, and Nawal al-Eid, which obviously they are good at utilizing advances in IT. Each time they were able to address, respond to, and answer questions from the millions of followers. Can pass tweets, status updates, post, or even via video. Perhaps the influence of figures like these is more powerful than the mainstream scholars. The scholars who are of course more sophisticated scientific capacity of the "ulama edges". Ulama social media.

Yes, progress can not be denied IT has led to social revolution, including the revolution in the world of propaganda. Unlimited calling to the truth in the mosque. Inviting goodness should not be in the study. Da'wah can be done through social media is a push, the cursor messages can be read by millions of followers.

Yes, the call is now no longer limited barriers. IT sophistication, specifically social media, has removed limits and distances. However, the advanced digital world is also at the same time has eroded the figure of a person, including the figure of the scholars. It could be that the scholars of social media is more influential and better known than the "real ulema".

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika