Anas Al-Shaib's visit to Algeria sparks controversy

The visit of Jordanian-Palestinian content creator Anas Al-Shaib to Algeria sparked widespread interaction on social media, after videos documented his reception by a group of Algerian influencers and his tour of historical sites in the capital. The scenes, which went viral, quickly became the subject of debate, with some viewing them as a positive step toward promoting Algerian tourism, while others viewed them as a social transgression.

Harsh criticism and public apologies from Algerian influencers Controversy erupted when three Algerian influencers appeared alongside Anas Chaib in clips deemed “inappropriate” by some, prompting the influencers to publicly apologize to their followers. Influencer Rina said she “made a mistake and bears responsibility for it,” while Hafsa explained that Chaib is “a young man” and that her wearing of sportswear coincided with the national team’s qualification, asking, “Is clothing a measure of morality?” Melissa confirmed that “the room Anas appeared in was reserved for guests,” announcing her intention to retire from social media after the campaign against her.

Anas Al-Shaib between welcome and criticism Since his arrival in Algeria, Anas Chaib, who has over eight million followers on TikTok, has been met with widespread public support on the one hand and criticism on the other. While some saw his visit as an opportunity to promote Algerian heritage and customs, others accused him of seeking "views" by wearing clothing that does not reflect the country's true cultural identity.

The position of specialists Social media expert Rahim Siddiqui believes the incident reflects the transformation of content creation into a true professional field that requires awareness and responsibility.

He explained that many content creators "pay the price for simple errors in judgment," noting that some of them hire consultants specializing in social and political affairs to avoid falling into crises.

Social expert Abdelhafiz Sandouki noted that the debate would have taken a different turn had these meetings taken place in another country, arguing that Algerian society is characterized by a conservative nature that makes certain behaviors particularly sensitivities. He pointed out that "the social and religious environment plays a fundamental role in determining what is accepted or rejected," emphasizing that "digital content must take into account the cultural specificities of each region to avoid becoming a source of societal conflict."