DHAKA: A group of young Saudi men have launched a smile campaign, saying that it is a revival of a tradition by Prophet Mohammad (SM).

Carrying placards that said ‘Smile! It is a sunnah’, the young men used the Corniche in the Red Sea city of Jeddah to promote better feelings and greater uplifting energy among people.

Sunnah in Islam refers to the normative way of life for Muslims based on the words and deeds of Prophet Mohammad (SM).

The campaign was warmly welcomed by Saudis and residents in the city who responded by encouraging the activists, local news site Sabq reported, says gulfnews.com.

The campaign was launched following the move by young men in the Saudi capital Riyadh and in the Eastern Province city of Dhahran to offer free hugs and kisses.

The young men who carried placards offering the hugs and kisses were arrested for indulging in offensive behaviour.

Social networks users hailed the smile campaign, but criticised the hugs and kisses moves, saying that they were ‘alien to the Saudi traditions’ and ‘reflected an odd attitude forcibly imported from abroad, but with no room for it in Saudi society’.

BDST: 1732 HRS, NOV 25, 2013