Mixed reactions Saturday, October 04, 2008-->Web posted at: 10/3/2008 3:24:9Source ::: The Peninsula / By MOHAMMED AHMED SALEM
Single men passing time on a patch of green on the Grand Hamad Street as they were barred from the Souq area. (Abdul Basit)
Nationals differ ‘family only’ rule
DOHA • With the ‘Families Only’ signs up at malls, the Souq area and the Corniche, the issue of single men, mainly low-income workers, not being allowed in has become a major topic of discussion in the country. We caught two nationals to have their say on the matter, with both, interestingly, presenting much opposite viewpoints.
Ahmad Ibrahim Sultan Al Sheeb, a former member of the Central Municipal Council (CMC), said: "Single workers should go to areas which have been set aside for them. Souq Waqif and malls like City Center, Villaggio and Landmark are areas which should be reserved for families."
Al Sheeb said there are plenty of places where single low-income workers can visit, such as Grand Hamad Street, Musheireb Street and the Industrial Area. He vehemently denied Asians in the country were being subject to racial discrimination.
"There is absolutely no discrimination against them. If that was the case, why are Asian families allowed inside the premises? No one has stopped them from visiting places like the malls so it is absolutely wrong to say discrimination of any sort is being practiced."
Al Sheeb said, as have several other officials at shopping centres, low-income ‘bachelors' simply come by and congregate at one place or loiter about with no intention to actually buy anything, perhaps preferring to save their money to send back home.
"I visited several areas today, including around the shopping malls and the souqs. If you simply watch these workers for a bit of time, you will notice that they have not come to buy but are there just to pass the time. At any moment, they can embarrass families and women," he said.
Well-known social activist, Hassan Al Jefairi, on the other hand, said: "What is going on is simply discrimination against these poor people. Most of them find it difficult as it is to gain access to areas like public gardens or the malls. This is against all laws."
Al Jefairi, recalling his days of studying in the UK, pointed out even as a foreigner he was never denied permission to enter any public area.
the peninsula
Single men passing time on a patch of green on the Grand Hamad Street as they were barred from the Souq area. (Abdul Basit)
Nationals differ ‘family only’ rule
DOHA • With the ‘Families Only’ signs up at malls, the Souq area and the Corniche, the issue of single men, mainly low-income workers, not being allowed in has become a major topic of discussion in the country. We caught two nationals to have their say on the matter, with both, interestingly, presenting much opposite viewpoints.
Ahmad Ibrahim Sultan Al Sheeb, a former member of the Central Municipal Council (CMC), said: "Single workers should go to areas which have been set aside for them. Souq Waqif and malls like City Center, Villaggio and Landmark are areas which should be reserved for families."
Al Sheeb said there are plenty of places where single low-income workers can visit, such as Grand Hamad Street, Musheireb Street and the Industrial Area. He vehemently denied Asians in the country were being subject to racial discrimination.
"There is absolutely no discrimination against them. If that was the case, why are Asian families allowed inside the premises? No one has stopped them from visiting places like the malls so it is absolutely wrong to say discrimination of any sort is being practiced."
Al Sheeb said, as have several other officials at shopping centres, low-income ‘bachelors' simply come by and congregate at one place or loiter about with no intention to actually buy anything, perhaps preferring to save their money to send back home.
"I visited several areas today, including around the shopping malls and the souqs. If you simply watch these workers for a bit of time, you will notice that they have not come to buy but are there just to pass the time. At any moment, they can embarrass families and women," he said.
Well-known social activist, Hassan Al Jefairi, on the other hand, said: "What is going on is simply discrimination against these poor people. Most of them find it difficult as it is to gain access to areas like public gardens or the malls. This is against all laws."
Al Jefairi, recalling his days of studying in the UK, pointed out even as a foreigner he was never denied permission to enter any public area.
the peninsula
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