The power of social media like Snapchat was in the spotlight last night (Sunday) at the fourth session of Ramadan Majlis, hosted by Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, with eminent experts and popular practitioners of social media calling for their responsible use in the interest of society.
The power of social media like Snapchat was in the spotlight last night (Sunday) at the fourth session of Ramadan Majlis, hosted by Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, with eminent experts and popular practitioners of social media calling for their responsible use in the interest of society.
Opening the discussion, Dr Anwar Al Hammadi, social media activist, consultant dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, emphasised that social media like Snapchat are a powerful tool and they need to be used with caution and monitored by people with expertise. Pointing out the convenient and quick platform that social media offer these days for everyone to instantly air and share their views, he called for their responsible use and oversight by specialists.
Citing his own example, Dr Al Hammadi said that social media can be an invaluable tool in medical field, helping both patients and doctors. Social media can be effectively used for diagnosis and peer consultation, he added.
Talking about his experience of using social media, popular Saudi media figure and presenter Badr Al Zidan said his life was changed after reading the book, The Law of Attraction, seven years ago. After watching the popular Arab media figure and broadcaster George Kordahi, he wanted to be a presenter but did not know how to go about realising his dream. This is when I turned to social media for help and here I am, he said pointing out he was one of the first people in the region to successfully use and harness the power of social media.
The popular Saudi media figure with a large number of followers said every era witnesses the emergence of tools that are specific to it and social media apps are the signature tools of our age. He praised Snapchat as the smartest social media app around saying it has been immensely successful because of a number of reasons privacy; short span of time and ease of use.
Al Zidan pointed to the fact that many people are using social media as their livelihood and source of income. Charitable institutions use these people and sponsors devote a lot of money for marketing and promotion, he said, adding he does not mind if some charge to take part in such activities. He called for providing guidance to young users of social media, giving them enough options and persuading them to be more discerning.
Hamad Al Shamsi, the UAE media activist and journalist, agreed, saying we have to be careful in using social media. Pointing out that every society has its own norms and code of conduct, Al Shamsi said it was important for experts and specialists to ensure the power of social media is used with responsibility. Rumours can spread fast on social media, he warned.
Venicia, popular social media activist and media figure from Kuwait with more than a million followers, said she had been an early convert to the power of social media and started using them without the knowledge of her conservative family. She compared social media to a house with many rooms, doors and windows which everyone uses for protection against rain and sun, but few think about its own wellbeing.
She underscored the need for Arab societies to think years ahead in order to exploit the immense potential of social media. Indicating that Snapchat does not show the number of followers one has, she said it has become one of the most popular apps in the region and around the world with almost everyone using it and many of them for economic gains.
Munther Al Muzki, Emirati media figure and sports presenter, who moderated the discussion, said that the UAE government and its various ministries had been the first to realise and channelise the immense potential of social media, pointing out that nearly all of UAE's leaders and senior government figures are on social media and use them extensively. He cited the example of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, who has been one of the earliest users of Snapchat in the region and has successfully used it for his fantastic tribute to Dubai, which went viral with tens of thousands sharing it.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre, and a number of senior government and media figures attended the fourth session of popular Sharjah Ramadan Majlis. On this occasion, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Media Centre, formally announced the launch of SMC's Snapchat account.
Headlined In the Culture of Dialogue , the Ramadan Majlis sessions are held after Taraweeh prayers and are highly interactive and intellectually stimulating. The pioneering initiative by Sharjah Media Centre is aimed at raising and discussing a range of issues before the community, with the help of distinguished experts, innovators, intellectuals, writers and artists from across the Arab world.
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The power of social media like Snapchat was in the spotlight last night (Sunday) at the fourth session of Ramadan Majlis, hosted by Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, with eminent experts and popular practitioners of social media calling for their responsible use in the interest of society. 
