Senior Saudi journalist Daoud al-Sharian noted that Afif pursued his bachelor’s degree at a university in Riyadh during the mid-1970s, funded by the Saudi government as part of a tribute to the Shiite cleric Musa al-Sadr.

Al-Sharian highlighted that Afif was actively engaged in Saudi society; he spoke the local dialect, cooked traditional Saudi dishes, and frequented the markets of Riyadh. Despite these connections, over the years, Afif became one of the most vocal critics of Saudi Arabia.

As a result, many Saudi users expressed indifference towards his death, reflecting a stark contrast to the kingdom's earlier generosity towards him.