Abu Dhabi orders arrest of social media stars over #InMyFeelings dance

The Gulf Emirate of Abu Dhabi has ordered the arrest of three famous social media users for taking part in a viral dance challenge based on Canadian hip-hop superstar Drake’s hit song ‘In My feelings’.

As part of the ‘Kiki’ dance challenge, people get out of a slowly moving car and leave the door open as they dance alongside it in sync with the music. 

‘Participants in this challenge get out of a moving car and leave the door open and dance on a public road next to the car, which is a danger to them and others on the road,’ it said in a statement on Monday.

‘This behaviour is contrary to the values of the Emirates’ society and constitutes a violation of public morals.’

Pictured: A Saudi dentist, Hassan Ghoneim, performing the dance

Social media users in nearby countries – including Saudi Arabia – have also filmed themselves performing the stunt. Pictured: A dentist, Hassan Ghoneim, performing the dance

Another Saudi, known simply as ' Salman' on Twitter, also posted his own version

He falls out of the car

Another Saudi, known simply as ‘ Salman’ on Twitter, also posted his own version. He falls out of the car

The public prosecutor’s office did not reveal the names of the three people ordered detained. 

According to the statement, the detainees will be investigated ‘on charges of endangering their lives and the lives of others, and violating public morals using social networking sites to promote practises that are incompatible with the values and traditions of society.’

Those caught taking part in the challenge could be punished with a fine or imprisonment, the prosecutor’s office said.

Social media users in nearby countries – including Saudi Arabia – have also filmed themselves performing the stunt. 

A dentist, Hassan Ghoneim, who has 1.2 million Instagram followers, was one of them. Another, known simply as ‘Salman‘ on Twitter, also posted his own version.

Spanish police have warned the 'In My Feelings' viral challenge may lead to serious injury when the stunt goes wrong

The rapper with the hat seems to be Spanish - and the 'clunk' made when he hits the lamp-post is very audible!

Spanish police have warned the ‘In My Feelings’ viral challenge may lead to serious injury. In one video, a man is seen getting out of his moving car before dancing right into a lamp-post

It comes after Spanish police warned about the dangers of the new internet craze which has taken a dance challenge to the extreme.

Shocking videos have emerged with a new twist to the ‘In My Feelings’ viral sensation — also known as the ‘Kiki challenge’ — which has been sweeping the internet.

Rather than just dancing to the original moves by internet comedian Shiggy, social media users have been filmed jumping out of moving vehicles as part of the trend.  

Authorities highlighted the dangers of driving while being filmed, as videos show dance challengers falling into the road at high speed

'Driving in Spain', an internet site started by  Spanish authorities, shared a compilation video from officers in Boadilla, Madrid with the warning: 'Teenagers should avoid carrying out '#in my feelings challenge' in a vehicle. A vehicle is not a toy - use it with responsibility!'

Authorities highlighted the dangers of driving while being filmed, as videos show dance challengers falling into the road at high speed

The hit song by Drake has prompted thousands of social media users to attempt to dance at the side of moving vehicles

The hit song by Drake has prompted thousands of social media users to attempt to dance at the side of moving vehicles

Police fear it may have now gone too far.

They say someone will be seriously injured or even killed because of the craze which sees passengers getting out of moving cars and dancing at the side of the road.

Spanish police called it ‘bonkers!’ on Facebook and was not what was intended when the original challenge was suggested by internet comedian Shiggy.

Spain is just one of the countries being hit by the craze but there have already been incidents of car passengers falling out of vehicles and smashing into lampposts because they are not looking where they are going.

‘Driving in Spain’, an internet site started by Spanish authorities, shared a compilation video from officers in Boadilla, Madrid with the warning:

‘Teenagers should avoid carrying out ‘#InMyFeelings challenge’ in a vehicle. A vehicle is not a toy — use it with responsibility!’

The video shows several cases of young girls attempting to get out of the passenger seat whilst the car is still moving but falling on to the road.

One clip appears to show a woman driving a car moves over to the passenger seat in a bid to get out.

In another attempt, a young male rapper is so intent on doing the dance on the kerb that he collides with a lamp-post. He eventually tries to get back into the car but falls over in the road.

It’s not clear where the videos were recorded but at least one of the girls is American based on her accent. 

What is the ‘In My Feelings’ challenge?  

The viral ‘In My Feelings’ dance craze was started by internet comedian and Instagram star Shiggy.

He first posted the dance on June 30 encouraging his 1.6 million followers to #DoTheShiggy.

It features acting out the lyrics to Drake’s song which include the lines ‘Kiki, do you love me?’ and ‘Are you riding?’ 

Shiggy is seen in the original clip dancing on a street as cars drive past, although he does not jump out of a moving vehicle.

Within days, hundreds of videos sprung up on social media of people performing the dance as they embraced the latest challenge to engross the online community. 

Celebrities including NFL star Odell Beckham Jr, Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi and Will Smith have all attempted the dance.

Drake has since thanked Shiggy for the success of ‘In My Feelings’ that went to No 1 in the charts.

Drake credited Shiggy (left) for the success of 'In My Feelings' when the pair met earlier this month at Nice Guy Club in Hollywood

Drake credited Shiggy (left) for the success of ‘In My Feelings’ when the pair met earlier this month at Nice Guy Club in Hollywood

The rapper with the hat seems to be Spanish – and the ‘clunk’ made when he hits the lamp-post is very audible.

Those who attempt the #InMyFeelings dance combine the moves with another challenge known as ‘ghost riding the whip’.

Ghost riding is to drop the speed of the car and put it in neutral to the point it’s rolling, jump out and walk along the street while blasting music and dancing.

It was made popular back in 2006 by rapper Mistah F.A.B. in song ‘Ghost Ride It’ with a video that was similarly imitated by online users, also a number of attempts that went wrong. 

Veteran entertainer Will Smith showed off his dance moves as part of the 'In My Feelings' challenge on Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary earlier this month

Veteran entertainer Will Smith showed off his dance moves as part of the ‘In My Feelings’ challenge on Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary earlier this month

Facebook group 'Driving in Spain' said: 'Teenagers should avoid carrying out '#in my feelings challenge' in a vehicle. A vehicle is not a toy - use it with responsibility'

In another attempt, a young male rapper is so intent on doing the dance on the kerb that he collides with a lamp-post. He eventually  tries to get back into the car but falls over in the road

Social media users are seen in different clips desperately clinging onto car doors after falling out in an attempt to perform the challenge. Facebook group ‘Driving in Spain’ said: ‘A vehicle is not a toy – use it with responsibility’

Boadilla police say it is only ‘cool’ and much safer to do the ‘In My Feelings’ when the car has stopped.

Followers of their site have slammed the pranksters for being ‘stupid, foolish, idiots and putting other people at risk’.

Other videos show a girl running and dancing by the side of a car before standing in the middle of the road and twerking in front of the bonnet before she moves out of the way.

In another, a motorcyclist stands on top of his moving bike whilst his dance moves are recorded.

Thousands of challengers, including celebrities such as Will Smith, have posted footage of themselves dancing to the song. 

After NFL star Odell Beckham Jr was seen exiting his car, which was stationary, to perform the dance on July 4, followers have attempted to jump out of their cars that are travelling at low speeds.

The United Arab Emirates previously vowed to crack down on anyone taking part in the challenge putting their lives and the lives of other motorists at risk.

According to Arabic-language newspaper Emarat Al Youm, officials said road users must adhere to traffic laws including wearing seatbelts and remaining in vehicles.  

Copycats are at risk of being arrested for reckless driving, said Emirati lawyer Awatif Mohammed.

He explained: ‘Police officers are entitled to arrest anyone driving in a manner that may pose danger to others lives.’

Those caught taking part in the challenge could also have their cars impounded but will face even greater penalties if they cause the injury or death of another person. 

The challenge was banned in Egypt on Monday after a traffic official said it broke the country’s traffic laws.

The Mossos d’Esquadra police of Catalunya says it is just as dangerous for the driver who films the dance stunt as for the passenger who gets out of the car whilst it is still moving.

‘You should not drive without paying attention because you can endanger other people,’ said a spokesman.

Apart from the dangers involved, the stunt could lead to fines for not wearing a seatbelt, driving without paying due attention, recording on a mobile whilst driving and endangering third parties.

‘Road safety is NOT a game!’ says Los Mossos.



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